in reply to Re^3: how to shorten given string?
in thread how to shorten given string?

Try 
s/^(.{1,20}).*/$1/;

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and it's short enough.

Why use a regexp? What if he wants a trailing ellipsis (= 3 dots) in case the string is shortened? 

s/^(.{1,20})(.+)?/$1 . (defined $2 ? "..." : "")/e;

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The neat thing about using regexes is that it's easy to modify to make it sing and dance, once the requirements change ever so slightly.

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Re^5: how to shorten given string?
by davido (Cardinal) on Oct 14, 2004 at 03:08 UTC

    I'll accept that reasoning. :)

    Here's a version of your 'add elipses' regexp that shifts the code evaluation to the left side of the s/// operator by using (?{...}). Not as clear as your solution, but another way to do it. I'm always looking for entertaining ways to use (?{...}). ...your approach is more appropriate for actual use though. Keep mine in the cage. 

    $string =~ s/^(.{1,20})(?{(length($_)>pos)?'...':''}).*$/$1$^R/;

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    Just for fun... ;)


    Dave

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