in reply to Re^2: One regex construct to handle multiple string types
in thread One regex construct to handle multiple string types

It's not about \w, but about backtracking.

\w* initially 'eats' 2L, but then is forced to ... well... put the 'L' back on the table to let \S have it.

Hmm... maybe 'eating' is not the best image for what's going on with backtracking regexps...?

:)

Krambambuli
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Re^4: One regex construct to handle multiple string types
by pobocks (Chaplain) on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:46 UTC

    AHHH! Thank you. Enlightenment is mine.

    "Must-match" versus "may-match" - separating the men from the boys of regex tug-o-war.

    for(split(" ","tsuJ rehtonA lreP rekcaH")){print reverse . " "}print "\b.\n";
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