37 |
represent a binary zero. |
represent a binary zero. |
38 |
.P |
.P |
39 |
5. The following Perl escape sequences are not supported: \el, \eu, \eL, |
5. The following Perl escape sequences are not supported: \el, \eu, \eL, |
40 |
\eU, and \eN. In fact these are implemented by Perl's general string-handling |
\eU, and \eN when followed by a character name or Unicode value. (\eN on its |
41 |
and are not part of its pattern matching engine. If any of these are |
own, matching a non-newline character, is supported.) In fact these are |
42 |
encountered by PCRE, an error is generated. |
implemented by Perl's general string-handling and are not part of its pattern |
43 |
|
matching engine. If any of these are encountered by PCRE, an error is |
44 |
|
generated. |
45 |
.P |
.P |
46 |
6. The Perl escape sequences \ep, \eP, and \eX are supported only if PCRE is |
6. The Perl escape sequences \ep, \eP, and \eX are supported only if PCRE is |
47 |
built with Unicode character property support. The properties that can be |
built with Unicode character property support. The properties that can be |
52 |
the internal representation of Unicode characters, there is no need to |
the internal representation of Unicode characters, there is no need to |
53 |
implement the somewhat messy concept of surrogates." |
implement the somewhat messy concept of surrogates." |
54 |
.P |
.P |
55 |
7. PCRE does support the \eQ...\eE escape for quoting substrings. Characters in |
7. PCRE implements a simpler version of \eX than Perl, which changed to make |
56 |
|
\eX match what Unicode calls an "extended grapheme cluster". This is more |
57 |
|
complicated than an extended Unicode sequence, which is what PCRE matches. |
58 |
|
.P |
59 |
|
8. PCRE does support the \eQ...\eE escape for quoting substrings. Characters in |
60 |
between are treated as literals. This is slightly different from Perl in that $ |
between are treated as literals. This is slightly different from Perl in that $ |
61 |
and @ are also handled as literals inside the quotes. In Perl, they cause |
and @ are also handled as literals inside the quotes. In Perl, they cause |
62 |
variable interpolation (but of course PCRE does not have variables). Note the |
variable interpolation (but of course PCRE does not have variables). Note the |
72 |
.sp |
.sp |
73 |
The \eQ...\eE sequence is recognized both inside and outside character classes. |
The \eQ...\eE sequence is recognized both inside and outside character classes. |
74 |
.P |
.P |
75 |
8. Fairly obviously, PCRE does not support the (?{code}) and (??{code}) |
9. Fairly obviously, PCRE does not support the (?{code}) and (??{code}) |
76 |
constructions. However, there is support for recursive patterns. This is not |
constructions. However, there is support for recursive patterns. This is not |
77 |
available in Perl 5.8, but it is in Perl 5.10. Also, the PCRE "callout" |
available in Perl 5.8, but it is in Perl 5.10. Also, the PCRE "callout" |
78 |
feature allows an external function to be called during pattern matching. See |
feature allows an external function to be called during pattern matching. See |
82 |
.\" |
.\" |
83 |
documentation for details. |
documentation for details. |
84 |
.P |
.P |
85 |
9. Subpatterns that are called recursively or as "subroutines" are always |
10. Subpatterns that are called recursively or as "subroutines" are always |
86 |
treated as atomic groups in PCRE. This is like Python, but unlike Perl. There |
treated as atomic groups in PCRE. This is like Python, but unlike Perl. There |
87 |
is a discussion of an example that explains this in more detail in the |
is a discussion of an example that explains this in more detail in the |
88 |
.\" HTML <a href="pcrepattern.html#recursiondifference"> |
.\" HTML <a href="pcrepattern.html#recursiondifference"> |
95 |
.\" |
.\" |
96 |
page. |
page. |
97 |
.P |
.P |
98 |
10. There are some differences that are concerned with the settings of captured |
11. There are some differences that are concerned with the settings of captured |
99 |
strings when part of a pattern is repeated. For example, matching "aba" against |
strings when part of a pattern is repeated. For example, matching "aba" against |
100 |
the pattern /^(a(b)?)+$/ in Perl leaves $2 unset, but in PCRE it is set to "b". |
the pattern /^(a(b)?)+$/ in Perl leaves $2 unset, but in PCRE it is set to "b". |
101 |
.P |
.P |
102 |
11. PCRE's handling of duplicate subpattern numbers and duplicate subpattern |
12. PCRE's handling of duplicate subpattern numbers and duplicate subpattern |
103 |
names is not as general as Perl's. This is a consequence of the fact the PCRE |
names is not as general as Perl's. This is a consequence of the fact the PCRE |
104 |
works internally just with numbers, using an external table to translate |
works internally just with numbers, using an external table to translate |
105 |
between numbers and names. In particular, a pattern such as (?|(?<a>A)|(?<b)B), |
between numbers and names. In particular, a pattern such as (?|(?<a>A)|(?<b)B), |
109 |
names map to capturing subpattern number 1. To avoid this confusing situation, |
names map to capturing subpattern number 1. To avoid this confusing situation, |
110 |
an error is given at compile time. |
an error is given at compile time. |
111 |
.P |
.P |
112 |
12. Perl recognizes comments in some places that PCRE doesn't, for example, |
13. Perl recognizes comments in some places that PCRE does not, for example, |
113 |
between the ( and ? at the start of a subpattern. |
between the ( and ? at the start of a subpattern. If the /x modifier is set, |
114 |
|
Perl allows whitespace between ( and ? but PCRE never does, even if the |
115 |
|
PCRE_EXTENDED option is set. |
116 |
.P |
.P |
117 |
13. PCRE provides some extensions to the Perl regular expression facilities. |
14. PCRE provides some extensions to the Perl regular expression facilities. |
118 |
Perl 5.10 includes new features that are not in earlier versions of Perl, some |
Perl 5.10 includes new features that are not in earlier versions of Perl, some |
119 |
of which (such as named parentheses) have been in PCRE for some time. This list |
of which (such as named parentheses) have been in PCRE for some time. This list |
120 |
is with respect to Perl 5.10: |
is with respect to Perl 5.10: |
171 |
.rs |
.rs |
172 |
.sp |
.sp |
173 |
.nf |
.nf |
174 |
Last updated: 02 May 2011 |
Last updated: 23 July 2011 |
175 |
Copyright (c) 1997-2011 University of Cambridge. |
Copyright (c) 1997-2011 University of Cambridge. |
176 |
.fi |
.fi |