From: Ryan Wallace <rywall@...>
Date: 2008-08-06T07:18:33+09:00
Subject: Strange result using String#split

I am trying to split a string on all occurrences of ' AND ' except
where it appears within quotes. I have a regular expression which
works but generates strange output in a certain case:

"text_search '(large red spear OR axe) AND wood' AND material
1".split( /(?: AND )?(\S+ '.+')(?: AND )?|(?: AND )/ )

gives:

["", "text_search '(large red spear OR axe) AND wood'", "material 1"]

I don't understand why my regular expression is producing the blank
entry at the beginning of the array. Can anyone lend some insight?

Thanks,
Ryan Wallace