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<title>pcretest specification</title> |
<title>pcretest specification</title> |
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</head> |
</head> |
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<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#00005A" link="#0066FF" alink="#3399FF" vlink="#2222BB"> |
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#00005A" link="#0066FF" alink="#3399FF" vlink="#2222BB"> |
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This HTML document has been generated automatically from the original man page. |
<h1>pcretest man page</h1> |
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If there is any nonsense in it, please consult the man page, in case the |
<p> |
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conversion went wrong.<br> |
Return to the <a href="index.html">PCRE index page</a>. |
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|
</p> |
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|
<p> |
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|
This page is part of the PCRE HTML documentation. It was generated automatically |
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from the original man page. If there is any nonsense in it, please consult the |
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man page, in case the conversion went wrong. |
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|
<br> |
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<ul> |
<ul> |
| 16 |
<li><a name="TOC1" href="#SEC1">SYNOPSIS</a> |
<li><a name="TOC1" href="#SEC1">SYNOPSIS</a> |
| 17 |
<li><a name="TOC2" href="#SEC2">OPTIONS</a> |
<li><a name="TOC2" href="#SEC2">OPTIONS</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC3" href="#SEC3">DESCRIPTION</a> |
<li><a name="TOC3" href="#SEC3">DESCRIPTION</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC4" href="#SEC4">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a> |
<li><a name="TOC4" href="#SEC4">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC5" href="#SEC5">CALLOUTS</a> |
<li><a name="TOC5" href="#SEC5">DATA LINES</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC6" href="#SEC6">DATA LINES</a> |
<li><a name="TOC6" href="#SEC6">OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC7" href="#SEC7">OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a> |
<li><a name="TOC7" href="#SEC7">CALLOUTS</a> |
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<li><a name="TOC8" href="#SEC8">AUTHOR</a> |
<li><a name="TOC8" href="#SEC8">SAVING AND RELOADING COMPILED PATTERNS</a> |
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|
<li><a name="TOC9" href="#SEC9">AUTHOR</a> |
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</ul> |
</ul> |
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<br><a name="SEC1" href="#TOC1">SYNOPSIS</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC1" href="#TOC1">SYNOPSIS</a><br> |
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<P> |
<P> |
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<b>pcretest [-d] [-i] [-m] [-o osize] [-p] [-t] [source] [destination]</b> |
<b>pcretest [-C] [-d] [-i] [-m] [-o osize] [-p] [-t] [source]</b> |
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|
<b>[destination]</b> |
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</P> |
</P> |
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<P> |
<P> |
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<b>pcretest</b> was written as a test program for the PCRE regular expression |
<b>pcretest</b> was written as a test program for the PCRE regular expression |
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expressions. This document describes the features of the test program; for |
expressions. This document describes the features of the test program; for |
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details of the regular expressions themselves, see the |
details of the regular expressions themselves, see the |
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<a href="pcrepattern.html"><b>pcrepattern</b></a> |
<a href="pcrepattern.html"><b>pcrepattern</b></a> |
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documentation. For details of PCRE and its options, see the |
documentation. For details of the PCRE library function calls and their |
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|
options, see the |
| 39 |
<a href="pcreapi.html"><b>pcreapi</b></a> |
<a href="pcreapi.html"><b>pcreapi</b></a> |
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documentation. |
documentation. |
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</P> |
</P> |
| 47 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 48 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 49 |
<b>-d</b> |
<b>-d</b> |
| 50 |
Behave as if each regex had the <b>/D</b> modifier (see below); the internal |
Behave as if each regex had the <b>/D</b> (debug) modifier; the internal |
| 51 |
form is output after compilation. |
form is output after compilation. |
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</P> |
</P> |
| 53 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 58 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 59 |
<b>-m</b> |
<b>-m</b> |
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Output the size of each compiled pattern after it has been compiled. This is |
Output the size of each compiled pattern after it has been compiled. This is |
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equivalent to adding /M to each regular expression. For compatibility with |
equivalent to adding <b>/M</b> to each regular expression. For compatibility |
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earlier versions of pcretest, <b>-s</b> is a synonym for <b>-m</b>. |
with earlier versions of pcretest, <b>-s</b> is a synonym for <b>-m</b>. |
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</P> |
</P> |
| 64 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 65 |
<b>-o</b> <i>osize</i> |
<b>-o</b> <i>osize</i> |
| 66 |
Set the number of elements in the output vector that is used when calling PCRE |
Set the number of elements in the output vector that is used when calling |
| 67 |
to be <i>osize</i>. The default value is 45, which is enough for 14 capturing |
<b>pcre_exec()</b> to be <i>osize</i>. The default value is 45, which is enough |
| 68 |
subexpressions. The vector size can be changed for individual matching calls by |
for 14 capturing subexpressions. The vector size can be changed for individual |
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including \O in the data line (see below). |
matching calls by including \O in the data line (see below). |
| 70 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 71 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 72 |
<b>-p</b> |
<b>-p</b> |
| 76 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 77 |
<b>-t</b> |
<b>-t</b> |
| 78 |
Run each compile, study, and match many times with a timer, and output |
Run each compile, study, and match many times with a timer, and output |
| 79 |
resulting time per compile or match (in milliseconds). Do not set <b>-t</b> with |
resulting time per compile or match (in milliseconds). Do not set <b>-m</b> with |
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<b>-m</b>, because you will then get the size output 20000 times and the timing |
<b>-t</b>, because you will then get the size output a zillion times, and the |
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will be distorted. |
timing will be distorted. |
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</P> |
</P> |
| 83 |
<br><a name="SEC3" href="#TOC1">DESCRIPTION</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC3" href="#TOC1">DESCRIPTION</a><br> |
| 84 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 94 |
lines to be matched against the pattern. |
lines to be matched against the pattern. |
| 95 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 96 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 97 |
Each line is matched separately and independently. If you want to do |
Each data line is matched separately and independently. If you want to do |
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multiple-line matches, you have to use the \n escape sequence in a single line |
multiple-line matches, you have to use the \n escape sequence in a single line |
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of input to encode the newline characters. The maximum length of data line is |
of input to encode the newline characters. The maximum length of data line is |
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30,000 characters. |
30,000 characters. |
| 102 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 103 |
An empty line signals the end of the data lines, at which point a new regular |
An empty line signals the end of the data lines, at which point a new regular |
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expression is read. The regular expressions are given enclosed in any |
expression is read. The regular expressions are given enclosed in any |
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non-alphameric delimiters other than backslash, for example |
non-alphanumeric delimiters other than backslash, for example |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
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<pre> |
<pre> |
| 107 |
/(a|bc)x+yz/ |
/(a|bc)x+yz/ |
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</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 109 |
White space before the initial delimiter is ignored. A regular expression may |
White space before the initial delimiter is ignored. A regular expression may |
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be continued over several input lines, in which case the newline characters are |
be continued over several input lines, in which case the newline characters are |
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included within it. It is possible to include the delimiter within the pattern |
included within it. It is possible to include the delimiter within the pattern |
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by escaping it, for example |
by escaping it, for example |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 113 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 114 |
/abc\/def/ |
/abc\/def/ |
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</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 116 |
If you do so, the escape and the delimiter form part of the pattern, but since |
If you do so, the escape and the delimiter form part of the pattern, but since |
| 117 |
delimiters are always non-alphameric, this does not affect its interpretation. |
delimiters are always non-alphanumeric, this does not affect its interpretation. |
| 118 |
If the terminating delimiter is immediately followed by a backslash, for |
If the terminating delimiter is immediately followed by a backslash, for |
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example, |
example, |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
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<pre> |
<pre> |
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/abc/\ |
/abc/\ |
| 122 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 123 |
then a backslash is added to the end of the pattern. This is done to provide a |
then a backslash is added to the end of the pattern. This is done to provide a |
| 124 |
way of testing the error condition that arises if a pattern finishes with a |
way of testing the error condition that arises if a pattern finishes with a |
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backslash, because |
backslash, because |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 126 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 127 |
/abc\/ |
/abc\/ |
| 128 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 129 |
is interpreted as the first line of a pattern that starts with "abc/", causing |
is interpreted as the first line of a pattern that starts with "abc/", causing |
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pcretest to read the next line as a continuation of the regular expression. |
pcretest to read the next line as a continuation of the regular expression. |
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</P> |
</P> |
| 132 |
<br><a name="SEC4" href="#TOC1">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC4" href="#TOC1">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a><br> |
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<P> |
<P> |
| 134 |
The pattern may be followed by <b>i</b>, <b>m</b>, <b>s</b>, or <b>x</b> to set the |
A pattern may be followed by any number of modifiers, which are mostly single |
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PCRE_CASELESS, PCRE_MULTILINE, PCRE_DOTALL, or PCRE_EXTENDED options, |
characters. Following Perl usage, these are referred to below as, for example, |
| 136 |
respectively. For example: |
"the <b>/i</b> modifier", even though the delimiter of the pattern need not |
| 137 |
|
always be a slash, and no slash is used when writing modifiers. Whitespace may |
| 138 |
|
appear between the final pattern delimiter and the first modifier, and between |
| 139 |
|
the modifiers themselves. |
| 140 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 141 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 142 |
|
The <b>/i</b>, <b>/m</b>, <b>/s</b>, and <b>/x</b> modifiers set the PCRE_CASELESS, |
| 143 |
|
PCRE_MULTILINE, PCRE_DOTALL, or PCRE_EXTENDED options, respectively, when |
| 144 |
|
<b>pcre_compile()</b> is called. These four modifier letters have the same |
| 145 |
|
effect as they do in Perl. For example: |
| 146 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 147 |
/caseless/i |
/caseless/i |
| 148 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
| 149 |
</P> |
The following table shows additional modifiers for setting PCRE options that do |
| 150 |
<P> |
not correspond to anything in Perl: |
| 151 |
These modifier letters have the same effect as they do in Perl. There are |
<pre> |
| 152 |
others that set PCRE options that do not correspond to anything in Perl: |
<b>/A</b> PCRE_ANCHORED |
| 153 |
<b>/A</b>, <b>/E</b>, <b>/N</b>, <b>/U</b>, and <b>/X</b> set PCRE_ANCHORED, |
<b>/C</b> PCRE_AUTO_CALLOUT |
| 154 |
PCRE_DOLLAR_ENDONLY, PCRE_NO_AUTO_CAPTURE, PCRE_UNGREEDY, and PCRE_EXTRA |
<b>/E</b> PCRE_DOLLAR_ENDONLY |
| 155 |
respectively. |
<b>/N</b> PCRE_NO_AUTO_CAPTURE |
| 156 |
</P> |
<b>/U</b> PCRE_UNGREEDY |
| 157 |
<P> |
<b>/X</b> PCRE_EXTRA |
| 158 |
|
</pre> |
| 159 |
Searching for all possible matches within each subject string can be requested |
Searching for all possible matches within each subject string can be requested |
| 160 |
by the <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> modifier. After finding a match, PCRE is called |
by the <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> modifier. After finding a match, PCRE is called |
| 161 |
again to search the remainder of the subject string. The difference between |
again to search the remainder of the subject string. The difference between |
| 174 |
<b>/g</b> modifier or the <b>split()</b> function. |
<b>/g</b> modifier or the <b>split()</b> function. |
| 175 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 176 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 177 |
There are a number of other modifiers for controlling the way <b>pcretest</b> |
There are yet more modifiers for controlling the way <b>pcretest</b> |
| 178 |
operates. |
operates. |
| 179 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 180 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 186 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 187 |
The <b>/L</b> modifier must be followed directly by the name of a locale, for |
The <b>/L</b> modifier must be followed directly by the name of a locale, for |
| 188 |
example, |
example, |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 189 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 190 |
/pattern/Lfr |
/pattern/Lfr_FR |
| 191 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
| 192 |
</P> |
For this reason, it must be the last modifier. The given locale is set, |
|
<P> |
|
|
For this reason, it must be the last modifier letter. The given locale is set, |
|
| 193 |
<b>pcre_maketables()</b> is called to build a set of character tables for the |
<b>pcre_maketables()</b> is called to build a set of character tables for the |
| 194 |
locale, and this is then passed to <b>pcre_compile()</b> when compiling the |
locale, and this is then passed to <b>pcre_compile()</b> when compiling the |
| 195 |
regular expression. Without an <b>/L</b> modifier, NULL is passed as the tables |
regular expression. Without an <b>/L</b> modifier, NULL is passed as the tables |
| 197 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 198 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 199 |
The <b>/I</b> modifier requests that <b>pcretest</b> output information about the |
The <b>/I</b> modifier requests that <b>pcretest</b> output information about the |
| 200 |
compiled expression (whether it is anchored, has a fixed first character, and |
compiled pattern (whether it is anchored, has a fixed first character, and |
| 201 |
so on). It does this by calling <b>pcre_fullinfo()</b> after compiling an |
so on). It does this by calling <b>pcre_fullinfo()</b> after compiling a |
| 202 |
expression, and outputting the information it gets back. If the pattern is |
pattern. If the pattern is studied, the results of that are also output. |
|
studied, the results of that are also output. |
|
| 203 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 204 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 205 |
The <b>/D</b> modifier is a PCRE debugging feature, which also assumes <b>/I</b>. |
The <b>/D</b> modifier is a PCRE debugging feature, which also assumes <b>/I</b>. |
| 208 |
output. |
output. |
| 209 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 210 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 211 |
|
The <b>/F</b> modifier causes <b>pcretest</b> to flip the byte order of the |
| 212 |
|
fields in the compiled pattern that contain 2-byte and 4-byte numbers. This |
| 213 |
|
facility is for testing the feature in PCRE that allows it to execute patterns |
| 214 |
|
that were compiled on a host with a different endianness. This feature is not |
| 215 |
|
available when the POSIX interface to PCRE is being used, that is, when the |
| 216 |
|
<b>/P</b> pattern modifier is specified. See also the section about saving and |
| 217 |
|
reloading compiled patterns below. |
| 218 |
|
</P> |
| 219 |
|
<P> |
| 220 |
The <b>/S</b> modifier causes <b>pcre_study()</b> to be called after the |
The <b>/S</b> modifier causes <b>pcre_study()</b> to be called after the |
| 221 |
expression has been compiled, and the results used when the expression is |
expression has been compiled, and the results used when the expression is |
| 222 |
matched. |
matched. |
| 244 |
call <b>pcre_compile()</b> with the PCRE_NO_UTF8_CHECK option, to suppress the |
call <b>pcre_compile()</b> with the PCRE_NO_UTF8_CHECK option, to suppress the |
| 245 |
checking of the string for UTF-8 validity. |
checking of the string for UTF-8 validity. |
| 246 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 247 |
<br><a name="SEC5" href="#TOC1">CALLOUTS</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC5" href="#TOC1">DATA LINES</a><br> |
|
<P> |
|
|
If the pattern contains any callout requests, <b>pcretest</b>'s callout function |
|
|
will be called. By default, it displays the callout number, and the start and |
|
|
current positions in the text at the callout time. For example, the output |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
<pre> |
|
|
--->pqrabcdef |
|
|
0 ^ ^ |
|
|
</PRE> |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
indicates that callout number 0 occurred for a match attempt starting at the |
|
|
fourth character of the subject string, when the pointer was at the seventh |
|
|
character. The callout function returns zero (carry on matching) by default. |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
Inserting callouts may be helpful when using <b>pcretest</b> to check |
|
|
complicated regular expressions. For further information about callouts, see |
|
|
the |
|
|
<a href="pcrecallout.html"><b>pcrecallout</b></a> |
|
|
documentation. |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
For testing the PCRE library, additional control of callout behaviour is |
|
|
available via escape sequences in the data, as described in the following |
|
|
section. In particular, it is possible to pass in a number as callout data (the |
|
|
default is zero). If the callout function receives a non-zero number, it |
|
|
returns that value instead of zero. |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<br><a name="SEC6" href="#TOC1">DATA LINES</a><br> |
|
| 248 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 249 |
Before each data line is passed to <b>pcre_exec()</b>, leading and trailing |
Before each data line is passed to <b>pcre_exec()</b>, leading and trailing |
| 250 |
whitespace is removed, and it is then scanned for \ escapes. Some of these are |
whitespace is removed, and it is then scanned for \ escapes. Some of these are |
| 252 |
complicated features of PCRE. If you are just testing "ordinary" regular |
complicated features of PCRE. If you are just testing "ordinary" regular |
| 253 |
expressions, you probably don't need any of these. The following escapes are |
expressions, you probably don't need any of these. The following escapes are |
| 254 |
recognized: |
recognized: |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 255 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 256 |
\a alarm (= BEL) |
\a alarm (= BEL) |
| 257 |
\b backspace |
\b backspace |
| 263 |
\v vertical tab |
\v vertical tab |
| 264 |
\nnn octal character (up to 3 octal digits) |
\nnn octal character (up to 3 octal digits) |
| 265 |
\xhh hexadecimal character (up to 2 hex digits) |
\xhh hexadecimal character (up to 2 hex digits) |
| 266 |
\x{hh...} hexadecimal character, any number of digits |
\x{hh...} hexadecimal character, any number of digits in UTF-8 mode |
|
in UTF-8 mode |
|
| 267 |
\A pass the PCRE_ANCHORED option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
\A pass the PCRE_ANCHORED option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 268 |
\B pass the PCRE_NOTBOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
\B pass the PCRE_NOTBOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 269 |
\Cdd call pcre_copy_substring() for substring dd |
\Cdd call pcre_copy_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32) |
| 270 |
after a successful match (any decimal number |
\Cname call pcre_copy_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin- |
|
less than 32) |
|
|
\Cname call pcre_copy_named_substring() for substring |
|
|
"name" after a successful match (name termin- |
|
| 271 |
ated by next non alphanumeric character) |
ated by next non alphanumeric character) |
| 272 |
\C+ show the current captured substrings at callout |
\C+ show the current captured substrings at callout time |
|
time |
|
| 273 |
\C- do not supply a callout function |
\C- do not supply a callout function |
| 274 |
\C!n return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is |
\C!n return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is reached |
| 275 |
reached |
\C!n!m return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is reached for the nth time |
| 276 |
\C!n!m return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is |
\C*n pass the number n (may be negative) as callout data; this is used as the callout return value |
| 277 |
reached for the nth time |
\Gdd call pcre_get_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32) |
| 278 |
\C*n pass the number n (may be negative) as callout |
\Gname call pcre_get_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin- |
|
data |
|
|
\Gdd call pcre_get_substring() for substring dd |
|
|
after a successful match (any decimal number |
|
|
less than 32) |
|
|
\Gname call pcre_get_named_substring() for substring |
|
|
"name" after a successful match (name termin- |
|
| 279 |
ated by next non-alphanumeric character) |
ated by next non-alphanumeric character) |
| 280 |
\L call pcre_get_substringlist() after a |
\L call pcre_get_substringlist() after a successful match |
|
successful match |
|
| 281 |
\M discover the minimum MATCH_LIMIT setting |
\M discover the minimum MATCH_LIMIT setting |
| 282 |
\N pass the PCRE_NOTEMPTY option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
\N pass the PCRE_NOTEMPTY option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 283 |
\Odd set the size of the output vector passed to |
\Odd set the size of the output vector passed to <b>pcre_exec()</b> to dd (any number of digits) |
| 284 |
<b>pcre_exec()</b> to dd (any number of decimal |
\P pass the PCRE_PARTIAL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
|
digits) |
|
| 285 |
\S output details of memory get/free calls during matching |
\S output details of memory get/free calls during matching |
| 286 |
\Z pass the PCRE_NOTEOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
\Z pass the PCRE_NOTEOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 287 |
\? pass the PCRE_NO_UTF8_CHECK option to |
\? pass the PCRE_NO_UTF8_CHECK option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 288 |
<b>pcre_exec()</b> |
\>dd start the match at offset dd (any number of digits); |
| 289 |
</PRE> |
this sets the <i>startoffset</i> argument for <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
| 290 |
|
</pre> |
| 291 |
|
A backslash followed by anything else just escapes the anything else. If the |
| 292 |
|
very last character is a backslash, it is ignored. This gives a way of passing |
| 293 |
|
an empty line as data, since a real empty line terminates the data input. |
| 294 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 295 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 296 |
If \M is present, <b>pcretest</b> calls <b>pcre_exec()</b> several times, with |
If \M is present, <b>pcretest</b> calls <b>pcre_exec()</b> several times, with |
| 303 |
very quickly with increasing length of subject string. |
very quickly with increasing length of subject string. |
| 304 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 305 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 306 |
When \O is used, it may be higher or lower than the size set by the <b>-O</b> |
When \O is used, the value specified may be higher or lower than the size set |
| 307 |
option (or defaulted to 45); \O applies only to the call of <b>pcre_exec()</b> |
by the <b>-O</b> command line option (or defaulted to 45); \O applies only to |
| 308 |
for the line in which it appears. |
the call of <b>pcre_exec()</b> for the line in which it appears. |
| 309 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 310 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 311 |
A backslash followed by anything else just escapes the anything else. If the |
If the <b>/P</b> modifier was present on the pattern, causing the POSIX wrapper |
| 312 |
very last character is a backslash, it is ignored. This gives a way of passing |
API to be used, only \B and \Z have any effect, causing REG_NOTBOL and |
| 313 |
an empty line as data, since a real empty line terminates the data input. |
REG_NOTEOL to be passed to <b>regexec()</b> respectively. |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
If <b>/P</b> was present on the regex, causing the POSIX wrapper API to be used, |
|
|
only <b>\B</b>, and <b>\Z</b> have any effect, causing REG_NOTBOL and REG_NOTEOL |
|
|
to be passed to <b>regexec()</b> respectively. |
|
| 314 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 315 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 316 |
The use of \x{hh...} to represent UTF-8 characters is not dependent on the use |
The use of \x{hh...} to represent UTF-8 characters is not dependent on the use |
| 318 |
any number of hexadecimal digits inside the braces. The result is from one to |
any number of hexadecimal digits inside the braces. The result is from one to |
| 319 |
six bytes, encoded according to the UTF-8 rules. |
six bytes, encoded according to the UTF-8 rules. |
| 320 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 321 |
<br><a name="SEC7" href="#TOC1">OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC6" href="#TOC1">OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a><br> |
| 322 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 323 |
When a match succeeds, pcretest outputs the list of captured substrings that |
When a match succeeds, pcretest outputs the list of captured substrings that |
| 324 |
<b>pcre_exec()</b> returns, starting with number 0 for the string that matched |
<b>pcre_exec()</b> returns, starting with number 0 for the string that matched |
| 325 |
the whole pattern. Here is an example of an interactive pcretest run. |
the whole pattern. Otherwise, it outputs "No match" or "Partial match" |
| 326 |
</P> |
when <b>pcre_exec()</b> returns PCRE_ERROR_NOMATCH or PCRE_ERROR_PARTIAL, |
| 327 |
<P> |
respectively, and otherwise the PCRE negative error number. Here is an example |
| 328 |
|
of an interactive pcretest run. |
| 329 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 330 |
$ pcretest |
$ pcretest |
| 331 |
PCRE version 4.00 08-Jan-2003 |
PCRE version 5.00 07-Sep-2004 |
| 332 |
</PRE> |
|
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
|
<pre> |
|
| 333 |
re> /^abc(\d+)/ |
re> /^abc(\d+)/ |
| 334 |
data> abc123 |
data> abc123 |
| 335 |
0: abc123 |
0: abc123 |
| 336 |
1: 123 |
1: 123 |
| 337 |
data> xyz |
data> xyz |
| 338 |
No match |
No match |
| 339 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 340 |
If the strings contain any non-printing characters, they are output as \0x |
If the strings contain any non-printing characters, they are output as \0x |
| 341 |
escapes, or as \x{...} escapes if the <b>/8</b> modifier was present on the |
escapes, or as \x{...} escapes if the <b>/8</b> modifier was present on the |
| 342 |
pattern. If the pattern has the <b>/+</b> modifier, then the output for |
pattern. If the pattern has the <b>/+</b> modifier, the output for substring 0 |
| 343 |
substring 0 is followed by the the rest of the subject string, identified by |
is followed by the the rest of the subject string, identified by "0+" like |
| 344 |
"0+" like this: |
this: |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 345 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 346 |
re> /cat/+ |
re> /cat/+ |
| 347 |
data> cataract |
data> cataract |
| 348 |
0: cat |
0: cat |
| 349 |
0+ aract |
0+ aract |
| 350 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 351 |
If the pattern has the <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> modifier, the results of successive |
If the pattern has the <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> modifier, the results of successive |
| 352 |
matching attempts are output in sequence, like this: |
matching attempts are output in sequence, like this: |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 353 |
<pre> |
<pre> |
| 354 |
re> /\Bi(\w\w)/g |
re> /\Bi(\w\w)/g |
| 355 |
data> Mississippi |
data> Mississippi |
| 359 |
1: ss |
1: ss |
| 360 |
0: ipp |
0: ipp |
| 361 |
1: pp |
1: pp |
| 362 |
</PRE> |
</pre> |
|
</P> |
|
|
<P> |
|
| 363 |
"No match" is output only if the first match attempt fails. |
"No match" is output only if the first match attempt fails. |
| 364 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 365 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 375 |
prompt is used for continuations), data lines may not. However newlines can be |
prompt is used for continuations), data lines may not. However newlines can be |
| 376 |
included in data by means of the \n escape. |
included in data by means of the \n escape. |
| 377 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 378 |
<br><a name="SEC8" href="#TOC1">AUTHOR</a><br> |
<br><a name="SEC7" href="#TOC1">CALLOUTS</a><br> |
| 379 |
|
<P> |
| 380 |
|
If the pattern contains any callout requests, <b>pcretest</b>'s callout function |
| 381 |
|
is called during matching. By default, it displays the callout number, the |
| 382 |
|
start and current positions in the text at the callout time, and the next |
| 383 |
|
pattern item to be tested. For example, the output |
| 384 |
|
<pre> |
| 385 |
|
--->pqrabcdef |
| 386 |
|
0 ^ ^ \d |
| 387 |
|
</pre> |
| 388 |
|
indicates that callout number 0 occurred for a match attempt starting at the |
| 389 |
|
fourth character of the subject string, when the pointer was at the seventh |
| 390 |
|
character of the data, and when the next pattern item was \d. Just one |
| 391 |
|
circumflex is output if the start and current positions are the same. |
| 392 |
|
</P> |
| 393 |
|
<P> |
| 394 |
|
Callouts numbered 255 are assumed to be automatic callouts, inserted as a |
| 395 |
|
result of the <b>/C</b> pattern modifier. In this case, instead of showing the |
| 396 |
|
callout number, the offset in the pattern, preceded by a plus, is output. For |
| 397 |
|
example: |
| 398 |
|
<pre> |
| 399 |
|
re> /\d?[A-E]\*/C |
| 400 |
|
data> E* |
| 401 |
|
--->E* |
| 402 |
|
+0 ^ \d? |
| 403 |
|
+3 ^ [A-E] |
| 404 |
|
+8 ^^ \* |
| 405 |
|
+10 ^ ^ |
| 406 |
|
0: E* |
| 407 |
|
</pre> |
| 408 |
|
The callout function in <b>pcretest</b> returns zero (carry on matching) by |
| 409 |
|
default, but you can use an \C item in a data line (as described above) to |
| 410 |
|
change this. |
| 411 |
|
</P> |
| 412 |
|
<P> |
| 413 |
|
Inserting callouts can be helpful when using <b>pcretest</b> to check |
| 414 |
|
complicated regular expressions. For further information about callouts, see |
| 415 |
|
the |
| 416 |
|
<a href="pcrecallout.html"><b>pcrecallout</b></a> |
| 417 |
|
documentation. |
| 418 |
|
</P> |
| 419 |
|
<br><a name="SEC8" href="#TOC1">SAVING AND RELOADING COMPILED PATTERNS</a><br> |
| 420 |
|
<P> |
| 421 |
|
The facilities described in this section are not available when the POSIX |
| 422 |
|
inteface to PCRE is being used, that is, when the <b>/P</b> pattern modifier is |
| 423 |
|
specified. |
| 424 |
|
</P> |
| 425 |
|
<P> |
| 426 |
|
When the POSIX interface is not in use, you can cause <b>pcretest</b> to write a |
| 427 |
|
compiled pattern to a file, by following the modifiers with > and a file name. |
| 428 |
|
For example: |
| 429 |
|
<pre> |
| 430 |
|
/pattern/im >/some/file |
| 431 |
|
</pre> |
| 432 |
|
See the |
| 433 |
|
<a href="pcreprecompile.html"><b>pcreprecompile</b></a> |
| 434 |
|
documentation for a discussion about saving and re-using compiled patterns. |
| 435 |
|
</P> |
| 436 |
|
<P> |
| 437 |
|
The data that is written is binary. The first eight bytes are the length of the |
| 438 |
|
compiled pattern data followed by the length of the optional study data, each |
| 439 |
|
written as four bytes in big-endian order (most significant byte first). If |
| 440 |
|
there is no study data (either the pattern was not studied, or studying did not |
| 441 |
|
return any data), the second length is zero. The lengths are followed by an |
| 442 |
|
exact copy of the compiled pattern. If there is additional study data, this |
| 443 |
|
follows immediately after the compiled pattern. After writing the file, |
| 444 |
|
<b>pcretest</b> expects to read a new pattern. |
| 445 |
|
</P> |
| 446 |
|
<P> |
| 447 |
|
A saved pattern can be reloaded into <b>pcretest</b> by specifing < and a file |
| 448 |
|
name instead of a pattern. The name of the file must not contain a < character, |
| 449 |
|
as otherwise <b>pcretest</b> will interpret the line as a pattern delimited by < |
| 450 |
|
characters. |
| 451 |
|
For example: |
| 452 |
|
<pre> |
| 453 |
|
re> </some/file |
| 454 |
|
Compiled regex loaded from /some/file |
| 455 |
|
No study data |
| 456 |
|
</pre> |
| 457 |
|
When the pattern has been loaded, <b>pcretest</b> proceeds to read data lines in |
| 458 |
|
the usual way. |
| 459 |
|
</P> |
| 460 |
|
<P> |
| 461 |
|
You can copy a file written by <b>pcretest</b> to a different host and reload it |
| 462 |
|
there, even if the new host has opposite endianness to the one on which the |
| 463 |
|
pattern was compiled. For example, you can compile on an i86 machine and run on |
| 464 |
|
a SPARC machine. |
| 465 |
|
</P> |
| 466 |
|
<P> |
| 467 |
|
File names for saving and reloading can be absolute or relative, but note that |
| 468 |
|
the shell facility of expanding a file name that starts with a tilde (~) is not |
| 469 |
|
available. |
| 470 |
|
</P> |
| 471 |
|
<P> |
| 472 |
|
The ability to save and reload files in <b>pcretest</b> is intended for testing |
| 473 |
|
and experimentation. It is not intended for production use because only a |
| 474 |
|
single pattern can be written to a file. Furthermore, there is no facility for |
| 475 |
|
supplying custom character tables for use with a reloaded pattern. If the |
| 476 |
|
original pattern was compiled with custom tables, an attempt to match a subject |
| 477 |
|
string using a reloaded pattern is likely to cause <b>pcretest</b> to crash. |
| 478 |
|
Finally, if you attempt to load a file that is not in the correct format, the |
| 479 |
|
result is undefined. |
| 480 |
|
</P> |
| 481 |
|
<br><a name="SEC9" href="#TOC1">AUTHOR</a><br> |
| 482 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 483 |
Philip Hazel <ph10@cam.ac.uk> |
Philip Hazel <ph10@cam.ac.uk> |
| 484 |
<br> |
<br> |
| 487 |
Cambridge CB2 3QG, England. |
Cambridge CB2 3QG, England. |
| 488 |
</P> |
</P> |
| 489 |
<P> |
<P> |
| 490 |
Last updated: 09 December 2003 |
Last updated: 10 September 2004 |
| 491 |
<br> |
<br> |
| 492 |
Copyright © 1997-2003 University of Cambridge. |
Copyright © 1997-2004 University of Cambridge. |
| 493 |
|
<p> |
| 494 |
|
Return to the <a href="index.html">PCRE index page</a>. |
| 495 |
|
</p> |