From: basi <basi_lio@...>
Date: 2005-12-09T13:37:35+09:00
Subject: Regex: greedy pattern

Hello,

In the code below, the pattern /#{a}/ consumes more than what I'd
expect it to:

irb(main):338:0> abbr = %w[Mr. Dr. i.e. Prof.]
text = "Mr. Drake and Dr. Hide, i.e., Mr. Dride, I presume?"
abbr.each do |a|
 abbrNoDot = a.gsub(/\./,"")
 text.gsub!(/#{a}/,abbrNoDot)
end
puts text
=> ["Mr.", "Dr.", "ave.", "st.", "i.e.", "Prof."]
=> "Mr. Drake and Dr. Hide, i.e., Mr. Dride, I presume?"
=> ["Mr.", "Dr.", "ave.", "st.", "i.e.", "Prof."]
Mr Drke and Dr Hie ie, Mr Drde, I presume?

Thus "Drake" and "Dride satisfy the pattern "Dr", becoming "Drke" and
"Drde". I've tried many variations on the pattern /#{a}/, but I just
don't have enough Regex in my mind yet.

Thanks for the help,
basi