'xyz abc 123 abc pqr abc get this bit def ijk abc lmn' =~ /.*abc(.*?)d
+ef/sm;

print ">$1<";

[download]

Prints:

> get this bit <

[download]

which is what I understood you to want.

Update: Ah, I see it did do what you want. ;)

Perl reduces RSI - it saves typing

In reply to Re^3: How do I match the closest of repeated strings? by GrandFather
in thread How do I match the closest of repeated strings? by Anonymous Monk

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