The simple answer is that $1 is the first match and $+ is that last match.

What may be more helpful is to suggest that you consider using a Date module from CPAN to parse date/time rather than rely on an overly complex regex.

In reply to Re: Confusion of the effect of $+ and $1 by igelkott
in thread Confusion of the effect of $+ and $1 by Anonymous Monk

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