16 |
Documentation for PCRE |
Documentation for PCRE |
17 |
Contributions by users of PCRE |
Contributions by users of PCRE |
18 |
Building PCRE on non-Unix systems |
Building PCRE on non-Unix systems |
19 |
Building PCRE on a Unix-like system |
Building PCRE on Unix-like systems |
20 |
Retrieving configuration information on a Unix-like system |
Retrieving configuration information on Unix-like systems |
21 |
Shared libraries on Unix-like systems |
Shared libraries on Unix-like systems |
22 |
Cross-compiling on a Unix-like system |
Cross-compiling on Unix-like systems |
23 |
Using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC) |
Using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC) |
24 |
Making new tarballs |
Making new tarballs |
25 |
Testing PCRE |
Testing PCRE |
53 |
up the POSIX functions of the same name from the other library. |
up the POSIX functions of the same name from the other library. |
54 |
|
|
55 |
One way of avoiding this confusion is to compile PCRE with the addition of |
One way of avoiding this confusion is to compile PCRE with the addition of |
56 |
-Dregcomp=PCREregcomp (and similarly for the other functions) to the compiler |
-Dregcomp=PCREregcomp (and similarly for the other POSIX functions) to the |
57 |
flags (CFLAGS if you are using "configure" -- see below). This has the effect |
compiler flags (CFLAGS if you are using "configure" -- see below). This has the |
58 |
of renaming the functions so that the names no longer clash. Of course, you |
effect of renaming the functions so that the names no longer clash. Of course, |
59 |
have to do the same thing for your applications, or write them using the new |
you have to do the same thing for your applications, or write them using the |
60 |
names. |
new names. |
61 |
|
|
62 |
|
|
63 |
Documentation for PCRE |
Documentation for PCRE |
64 |
---------------------- |
---------------------- |
65 |
|
|
66 |
If you install PCRE in the normal way, you will end up with an installed set of |
If you install PCRE in the normal way on a Unix-like system, you will end up |
67 |
man pages whose names all start with "pcre". The one that is just called "pcre" |
with a set of man pages whose names all start with "pcre". The one that is just |
68 |
lists all the others. In addition to these man pages, the PCRE documentation is |
called "pcre" lists all the others. In addition to these man pages, the PCRE |
69 |
supplied in two other forms: |
documentation is supplied in two other forms: |
70 |
|
|
71 |
1. There are files called doc/pcre.txt, doc/pcregrep.txt, and |
1. There are files called doc/pcre.txt, doc/pcregrep.txt, and |
72 |
doc/pcretest.txt in the source distribution. The first of these is a |
doc/pcretest.txt in the source distribution. The first of these is a |
78 |
<prefix> is the installation prefix (defaulting to /usr/local). |
<prefix> is the installation prefix (defaulting to /usr/local). |
79 |
|
|
80 |
2. A set of files containing all the documentation in HTML form, hyperlinked |
2. A set of files containing all the documentation in HTML form, hyperlinked |
81 |
in various ways, and rooted in a file called index.html, is installed in |
in various ways, and rooted in a file called index.html, is distributed in |
82 |
the directory <prefix>/share/doc/pcre/html. |
doc/html and installed in <prefix>/share/doc/pcre/html. |
83 |
|
|
84 |
|
|
85 |
Contributions by users of PCRE |
Contributions by users of PCRE |
89 |
|
|
90 |
ftp://ftp.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/software/programming/pcre/Contrib |
ftp://ftp.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/software/programming/pcre/Contrib |
91 |
|
|
92 |
where there is also a README file giving brief descriptions of what they are. |
There is a README file giving brief descriptions of what they are. Some are |
93 |
Some are complete in themselves; others are pointers to URLs containing |
complete in themselves; others are pointers to URLs containing relevant files. |
94 |
relevant files. Some of this material is likely to be well out-of-date. In |
Some of this material is likely to be well out-of-date. In particular, several |
95 |
particular, several of the contributions provide support for compiling PCRE on |
of the contributions provide support for compiling PCRE on various flavours of |
96 |
various flavours of Windows (I myself do not use Windows), but it is hoped that |
Windows (I myself do not use Windows), but nowadays there is more Windows |
97 |
more Windows support will find its way into the standard distribution. |
support in the standard distribution. |
98 |
|
|
99 |
|
|
100 |
Building PCRE on non-Unix systems |
Building PCRE on non-Unix systems |
101 |
--------------------------------- |
--------------------------------- |
102 |
|
|
103 |
For a non-Unix system, read the comments in the file NON-UNIX-USE, though if |
For a non-Unix system, please read the comments in the file NON-UNIX-USE, |
104 |
the system supports the use of "configure" and "make" you may be able to build |
though if your system supports the use of "configure" and "make" you may be |
105 |
PCRE in the same way as for Unix-like systems. |
able to build PCRE in the same way as for Unix-like systems. |
106 |
|
|
107 |
PCRE has been compiled on many different operating systems. It should be |
PCRE has been compiled on many different operating systems. It should be |
108 |
straightforward to build PCRE on any system that has a Standard C compiler and |
straightforward to build PCRE on any system that has a Standard C compiler and |
109 |
library, because it uses only Standard C functions. |
library, because it uses only Standard C functions. |
110 |
|
|
111 |
|
|
112 |
Building PCRE on a Unix-like system |
Building PCRE on Unix-like systems |
113 |
----------------------------------- |
---------------------------------- |
114 |
|
|
115 |
If you are using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC), please see the special note |
If you are using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC), please see the special note |
116 |
in the section entitled "Using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC)" below. |
in the section entitled "Using HP's ANSI C++ compiler (aCC)" below. |
119 |
PCRE distribution directory, with your current directory set to the directory |
PCRE distribution directory, with your current directory set to the directory |
120 |
where you want the files to be created. This command is a standard GNU |
where you want the files to be created. This command is a standard GNU |
121 |
"autoconf" configuration script, for which generic instructions are supplied in |
"autoconf" configuration script, for which generic instructions are supplied in |
122 |
INSTALL. |
the file INSTALL. |
123 |
|
|
124 |
Most commonly, people build PCRE within its own distribution directory, and in |
Most commonly, people build PCRE within its own distribution directory, and in |
125 |
this case, on many systems, just running "./configure" is sufficient. However, |
this case, on many systems, just running "./configure" is sufficient. However, |
191 |
--with-match-limit=500000 |
--with-match-limit=500000 |
192 |
|
|
193 |
on the "configure" command. This is just the default; individual calls to |
on the "configure" command. This is just the default; individual calls to |
194 |
pcre_exec() can supply their own value. There is discussion on the pcreapi |
pcre_exec() can supply their own value. There is more discussion on the |
195 |
man page. |
pcreapi man page. |
196 |
|
|
197 |
. There is a separate counter that limits the depth of recursive function calls |
. There is a separate counter that limits the depth of recursive function calls |
198 |
during a matching process. This also has a default of ten million, which is |
during a matching process. This also has a default of ten million, which is |
207 |
. The default maximum compiled pattern size is around 64K. You can increase |
. The default maximum compiled pattern size is around 64K. You can increase |
208 |
this by adding --with-link-size=3 to the "configure" command. You can |
this by adding --with-link-size=3 to the "configure" command. You can |
209 |
increase it even more by setting --with-link-size=4, but this is unlikely |
increase it even more by setting --with-link-size=4, but this is unlikely |
210 |
ever to be necessary. If you build PCRE with an increased link size, test 2 |
ever to be necessary. |
|
(and 5 if you are using UTF-8) will fail. Part of the output of these tests |
|
|
is a representation of the compiled pattern, and this changes with the link |
|
|
size. |
|
211 |
|
|
212 |
. You can build PCRE so that its internal match() function that is called from |
. You can build PCRE so that its internal match() function that is called from |
213 |
pcre_exec() does not call itself recursively. Instead, it uses blocks of data |
pcre_exec() does not call itself recursively. Instead, it uses memory blocks |
214 |
from the heap via special functions pcre_stack_malloc() and pcre_stack_free() |
obtained from the heap via the special functions pcre_stack_malloc() and |
215 |
to save data that would otherwise be saved on the stack. To build PCRE like |
pcre_stack_free() to save data that would otherwise be saved on the stack. To |
216 |
this, use |
build PCRE like this, use |
217 |
|
|
218 |
--disable-stack-for-recursion |
--disable-stack-for-recursion |
219 |
|
|
220 |
on the "configure" command. PCRE runs more slowly in this mode, but it may be |
on the "configure" command. PCRE runs more slowly in this mode, but it may be |
221 |
necessary in environments with limited stack sizes. This applies only to the |
necessary in environments with limited stack sizes. This applies only to the |
222 |
pcre_exec() function; it does not apply to pcre_dfa_exec(), which does not |
pcre_exec() function; it does not apply to pcre_dfa_exec(), which does not |
223 |
use deeply nested recursion. |
use deeply nested recursion. There is a discussion about stack sizes in the |
224 |
|
pcrestack man page. |
225 |
|
|
226 |
The "configure" script builds the following files for the basic C library: |
The "configure" script builds the following files for the basic C library: |
227 |
|
|
234 |
. RunTest is a script for running tests on the basic C library |
. RunTest is a script for running tests on the basic C library |
235 |
. RunGrepTest is a script for running tests on the pcregrep command |
. RunGrepTest is a script for running tests on the pcregrep command |
236 |
|
|
237 |
Versions of config.h and pcre.h are distributed in the PCRE tarballs. These are |
Versions of config.h and pcre.h are distributed in the PCRE tarballs under |
238 |
provided for the benefit of those who have to compile PCRE without the benefit |
the names config.h.generic and pcre.h.generic. These are provided for the |
239 |
of "configure". If you use "configure", the distributed copies are replaced. |
benefit of those who have to built PCRE without the benefit of "configure". If |
240 |
|
you use "configure", the .generic versions are not used. |
241 |
|
|
242 |
If a C++ compiler is found, the following files are also built: |
If a C++ compiler is found, the following files are also built: |
243 |
|
|
252 |
Once "configure" has run, you can run "make". It builds two libraries, called |
Once "configure" has run, you can run "make". It builds two libraries, called |
253 |
libpcre and libpcreposix, a test program called pcretest, a demonstration |
libpcre and libpcreposix, a test program called pcretest, a demonstration |
254 |
program called pcredemo, and the pcregrep command. If a C++ compiler was found |
program called pcredemo, and the pcregrep command. If a C++ compiler was found |
255 |
on your system, it also builds the C++ wrapper library, which is called |
on your system, "make" also builds the C++ wrapper library, which is called |
256 |
libpcrecpp, and some test programs called pcrecpp_unittest, |
libpcrecpp, and some test programs called pcrecpp_unittest, |
257 |
pcre_scanner_unittest, and pcre_stringpiece_unittest. |
pcre_scanner_unittest, and pcre_stringpiece_unittest. Building the C++ wrapper |
258 |
|
can be disabled by adding --disable-cpp to the "configure" command. |
259 |
|
|
260 |
The command "make check" runs all the appropriate tests. Details of the PCRE |
The command "make check" runs all the appropriate tests. Details of the PCRE |
261 |
tests are given below in a separate section of this document. |
tests are given below in a separate section of this document. |
276 |
|
|
277 |
Configuration information (lib/pkgconfig): |
Configuration information (lib/pkgconfig): |
278 |
libpcre.pc |
libpcre.pc |
279 |
libpcrecpp.ps (if C++ support is enabled) |
libpcrecpp.pc (if C++ support is enabled) |
280 |
|
|
281 |
Header files (include): |
Header files (include): |
282 |
pcre.h |
pcre.h |
315 |
remove any directories, because these are often shared with other programs. |
remove any directories, because these are often shared with other programs. |
316 |
|
|
317 |
|
|
318 |
Retrieving configuration information on a Unix-like system |
Retrieving configuration information on Unix-like systems |
319 |
---------------------------------------------------------- |
--------------------------------------------------------- |
320 |
|
|
321 |
Running "make install" installs the command pcre-config, which can be used to |
Running "make install" installs the command pcre-config, which can be used to |
322 |
recall information about the PCRE configuration and installation. For example: |
recall information about the PCRE configuration and installation. For example: |
355 |
libraries (by means of wrapper scripts in the case of shared libraries). When |
libraries (by means of wrapper scripts in the case of shared libraries). When |
356 |
you use "make install" to install shared libraries, pcregrep and pcretest are |
you use "make install" to install shared libraries, pcregrep and pcretest are |
357 |
automatically re-built to use the newly installed shared libraries before being |
automatically re-built to use the newly installed shared libraries before being |
358 |
installed themselves. However, the versions left in the source directory still |
installed themselves. However, the versions left in the build directory still |
359 |
use the uninstalled libraries. |
use the uninstalled libraries. |
360 |
|
|
361 |
To build PCRE using static libraries only you must use --disable-shared when |
To build PCRE using static libraries only you must use --disable-shared when |
367 |
build only shared libraries. |
build only shared libraries. |
368 |
|
|
369 |
|
|
370 |
Cross-compiling on a Unix-like system |
Cross-compiling on Unix-like systems |
371 |
------------------------------------- |
------------------------------------ |
372 |
|
|
373 |
You can specify CC and CFLAGS in the normal way to the "configure" command, in |
You can specify CC and CFLAGS in the normal way to the "configure" command, in |
374 |
order to cross-compile PCRE for some other host. However, during the building |
order to cross-compile PCRE for some other host. However, during the building |
385 |
---------------------------------- |
---------------------------------- |
386 |
|
|
387 |
Unless C++ support is disabled by specifying the "--disable-cpp" option of the |
Unless C++ support is disabled by specifying the "--disable-cpp" option of the |
388 |
"configure" script, you *must* include the "-AA" option in the CXXFLAGS |
"configure" script, you must include the "-AA" option in the CXXFLAGS |
389 |
environment variable in order for the C++ components to compile correctly. |
environment variable in order for the C++ components to compile correctly. |
390 |
|
|
391 |
Also, note that the aCC compiler on PA-RISC platforms may have a defect whereby |
Also, note that the aCC compiler on PA-RISC platforms may have a defect whereby |
409 |
Testing PCRE |
Testing PCRE |
410 |
------------ |
------------ |
411 |
|
|
412 |
To test PCRE on a Unix system, run the RunTest script that is created by the |
To test the basic PCRE library on a Unix system, run the RunTest script that is |
413 |
configuring process. There is also a script called RunGrepTest that tests the |
created by the configuring process. There is also a script called RunGrepTest |
414 |
options of the pcregrep command. If the C++ wrapper library is build, three |
that tests the options of the pcregrep command. If the C++ wrapper library is |
415 |
test programs called pcrecpp_unittest, pcre_scanner_unittest, and |
built, three test programs called pcrecpp_unittest, pcre_scanner_unittest, and |
416 |
pcre_stringpiece_unittest are also built. |
pcre_stringpiece_unittest are also built. |
417 |
|
|
418 |
Both the scripts and all the program tests are run if you obey "make check" or |
Both the scripts and all the program tests are run if you obey "make check" or |
419 |
"make test". For other systems, see the instructions in NON-UNIX-USE. |
"make test". For other systems, see the instructions in NON-UNIX-USE. |
420 |
|
|
421 |
The RunTest script runs the pcretest test program (which is documented in its |
The RunTest script runs the pcretest test program (which is documented in its |
422 |
own man page) on each of the testinput files (in the testdata directory) in |
own man page) on each of the testinput files in the testdata directory in |
423 |
turn, and compares the output with the contents of the corresponding testoutput |
turn, and compares the output with the contents of the corresponding testoutput |
424 |
files. A file called testtry is used to hold the main output from pcretest |
files. A file called testtry is used to hold the main output from pcretest |
425 |
(testsavedregex is also used as a working file). To run pcretest on just one of |
(testsavedregex is also used as a working file). To run pcretest on just one of |
435 |
The second set of tests check pcre_fullinfo(), pcre_info(), pcre_study(), |
The second set of tests check pcre_fullinfo(), pcre_info(), pcre_study(), |
436 |
pcre_copy_substring(), pcre_get_substring(), pcre_get_substring_list(), error |
pcre_copy_substring(), pcre_get_substring(), pcre_get_substring_list(), error |
437 |
detection, and run-time flags that are specific to PCRE, as well as the POSIX |
detection, and run-time flags that are specific to PCRE, as well as the POSIX |
438 |
wrapper API. It also uses the debugging flag to check some of the internals of |
wrapper API. It also uses the debugging flags to check some of the internals of |
439 |
pcre_compile(). |
pcre_compile(). |
440 |
|
|
441 |
If you build PCRE with a locale setting that is not the standard C locale, the |
If you build PCRE with a locale setting that is not the standard C locale, the |
470 |
The fifth test checks error handling with UTF-8 encoding, and internal UTF-8 |
The fifth test checks error handling with UTF-8 encoding, and internal UTF-8 |
471 |
features of PCRE that are not relevant to Perl. |
features of PCRE that are not relevant to Perl. |
472 |
|
|
473 |
The sixth and test checks the support for Unicode character properties. It it |
The sixth test checks the support for Unicode character properties. It it not |
474 |
not run automatically unless PCRE is built with Unicode property support. To to |
run automatically unless PCRE is built with Unicode property support. To to |
475 |
this you must set --enable-unicode-properties when running "configure". |
this you must set --enable-unicode-properties when running "configure". |
476 |
|
|
477 |
The seventh, eighth, and ninth tests check the pcre_dfa_exec() alternative |
The seventh, eighth, and ninth tests check the pcre_dfa_exec() alternative |
483 |
Character tables |
Character tables |
484 |
---------------- |
---------------- |
485 |
|
|
486 |
PCRE uses four tables for manipulating and identifying characters whose values |
For speed, PCRE uses four tables for manipulating and identifying characters |
487 |
are less than 256. The final argument of the pcre_compile() function is a |
whose code point values are less than 256. The final argument of the |
488 |
pointer to a block of memory containing the concatenated tables. A call to |
pcre_compile() function is a pointer to a block of memory containing the |
489 |
pcre_maketables() can be used to generate a set of tables in the current |
concatenated tables. A call to pcre_maketables() can be used to generate a set |
490 |
locale. If the final argument for pcre_compile() is passed as NULL, a set of |
of tables in the current locale. If the final argument for pcre_compile() is |
491 |
default tables that is built into the binary is used. |
passed as NULL, a set of default tables that is built into the binary is used. |
492 |
|
|
493 |
The source file called chartables.c contains the default set of tables. This is |
The source file called chartables.c contains the default set of tables. This is |
494 |
not supplied in the distribution, but is built by the program dftables |
not supplied in the distribution, but is built by the program dftables |
497 |
sources. This means that the default C locale which is set for your system will |
sources. This means that the default C locale which is set for your system will |
498 |
control the contents of these default tables. You can change the default tables |
control the contents of these default tables. You can change the default tables |
499 |
by editing chartables.c and then re-building PCRE. If you do this, you should |
by editing chartables.c and then re-building PCRE. If you do this, you should |
500 |
probably also edit Makefile to ensure that the file doesn't ever get |
take care to ensure that the file does not get automaticaly re-generated. |
|
re-generated. |
|
501 |
|
|
502 |
The first two 256-byte tables provide lower casing and case flipping functions, |
The first two 256-byte tables provide lower casing and case flipping functions, |
503 |
respectively. The next table consists of three 32-byte bit maps which identify |
respectively. The next table consists of three 32-byte bit maps which identify |