From: William James <w_a_x_man@...>
Date: 2007-12-07T01:05:19+09:00
Subject: Re: regular expression. newbie problem.

On Dec 6, 9:42 am, Johnathan Smith <stu...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> i know this is a pretty basic problem but im a newbie so any help would
> be greatly appreciated
>
> im trying to write a name class one which returns a first name a
> surname, first and second initials
>
> however, i realise i regular expression is needed to go through the name
> to produce the correct output. however im unsure of whaty regular
> expression to use and whether my class is looking correct in general
>
> anyhelp would be greatly appreciated
>
> thanks
>
> name class:
>
> class Name
>
>   def initialize(name)
>     @fname = name.slice!(rexesp)
>     @sname = name.slice!(regexp)
>     @mname = name.slice!(regexp)
>
>   def firstname
>     return @fname
>   end
>
>   def surname
>     return @sname
>   end
>
>   def firstinitial
>     return @finitial
>   end
>
>   def firstinitial
>     return @sinitial
>   end
> --
> Posted viahttp://www.ruby-forum.com/.


p "Chidiock Tichborne".strip.match( /^(\S+)( +\S.*)? +(\S+)$/ ).to_a
p "Edgar A. Poe".strip.match( /^(\S+)( +\S.*)? +(\S+)$/ ).to_a
p "J. R. R. Tolkien".strip.match( /^(\S+)( +\S.*)? +(\S+)$/ ).to_a
_,first,middle,sur = "Ambrose Bierce".
  strip.match( /^(\S+)( +\S.*)? +(\S+)$/ ).to_a
puts "#{ first }:#{ middle }:#{ sur }"

----  output  ----
["Chidiock Tichborne", "Chidiock", nil, "Tichborne"]
["Edgar A. Poe", "Edgar", " A.", "Poe"]
["J. R. R. Tolkien", "J.", " R. R.", "Tolkien"]
Ambrose::Bierce