REGEX(S) XENIX System V REGEX(S)
Name
regex, regcmp - Compiles and executes regular expressions.
Syntax
char *regcmp(string1[,string2, ...],(char *)0);
char *string1, *string2, ...;
char *regex(re,subject[,ret0, ...]);
char *re, *subject, *ret0, ...;
extern char * __loc1;
Description
regcmp compiles a regular expression and returns a pointer
to the compiled form. malloc(S) is used to create space for
the vector. It is the user's responsibility to free
unneeded space so allocated. A zero return from regcmp
indicates an incorrect argument. regcmp(CP) has been
written to generally preclude the need for this routine at
execution time.
regex executes a compiled pattern against the subject
string. Additional arguments are passed to receive values
back. regex returns zero on failure or a pointer to the
next unmatched character on success. A global character
pointer __loc1 points to where the match began. regcmp and
regex were derived from the editor, ed(C) however, the
syntax and semantics have been changed slightly. The
following are the valid symbols and their associated
meanings.
[]*.^ These symbols retain their current meaning.
$ Matches the end of the string, \n matches the
newline.
- Within brackets the minus means through. For
example, [a-z] is equivalent to [abcd...xyz]. The
- can appear as itself only if used as the last or
first character. For example, the character class
expression []-] matches the characters ] and -.
+ A regular expression followed by + means "one or
more times". For example, [0-9]+ is equivalent to
[0-9][0-9]*.
{m} {m,} {m,u}
Integer values enclosed in {} indicate the number
of times the preceding regular expression is to be
applied. m is the minimum number and u is a
number, less than 256, which is the maximum. If
only m is present (e.g., {m}), it indicates the
exact number of times the regular expression is to
Page 1 (printed 8/7/87)
REGEX(S) XENIX System V REGEX(S)
be applied. {m,} is analogous to {m,infinity}.
The plus (+) and star (*) operations are
equivalent to {1,} and {0,} respectively.
( ... )$n The value of the enclosed regular expression is to
be returned. The value will be stored in the
(n+1)th argument following the subject argument.
At present, at most ten enclosed regular
expressions are allowed. regex makes its
assignments unconditionally.
( ... ) Parentheses are used for grouping. An operator,
e.g. *, +, {}, can work on a single character or
a regular expression enclosed in parenthesis. For
example, (a*(cb+)*)$0.
By necessity, all the above defined symbols are special.
They must, therefore, be escaped to be used as themselves.
Examples
Example 1:
char *cursor, *newcursor, *ptr;
...
newcursor = regex((ptr=regcmp("^\n",0)),cursor);
free(ptr);
This example will match a leading newline in the subject
string pointed at by cursor.
Example 2:
char ret0[9];
char *newcursor, *name;
...
name = regcmp("([A-Za-z][A-za-z0-9]{0,7})$0",0);
newcursor = regex(name,"123Testing321",ret0);
This example will match through the string ``Testing3'' and
will return the address of the character after the last
matched character (cursor+11). The string ``Testing3'' will
be copied to the character array ret0.
Example 3:
#include "file.i"
char *string, *newcursor;
...
newcursor = regex(name,string);
This example applies a precompiled regular expression in
file.i (see regcmp(CP)) against string.
Page 2 (printed 8/7/87)
REGEX(S) XENIX System V REGEX(S)
See Also
ed(C), regcmp(CP), free(S), malloc(S)
Notes
The user program may run out of memory if regcmp is called
iteratively without freeing the vectors no longer required.
The following user-supplied replacement for malloc(S) reuses
the same vector saving time and space:
/* user's program */
...
malloc(n)
{
static int rebuf[256];
return &rebuf;
}
Page 3 (printed 8/7/87)