From: ts <decoux@...>
Date: 2004-05-14T21:24:40+09:00
Subject: Re: Regexp Error?

>>>>> "R" == Robert Klemme <bob.news@gmx.net> writes:

R> irb(main):025:0> "123-456".gsub(/.*$/, 'X')
R> => "XX"

R> Applying your explanation, one would have to say that "$" is matched
R> twice.  IMHO this is not correct.  Or is there another explanation why
R> this gsub happens to return "XX"?

 This is the same explanation. Your regexp means match a string which is at
 the end (where end can be \n or the end of string, in this case)

  * first match : "123-456"
  * now it's at end
  * it can match the empty string


 $ is like ^ : it don't match a character but a position in the string
 (sort of ...)


Guy Decoux