From: Simon Strandgaard <none@...>
Date: 2003-10-09T16:52:04+09:00
Subject: Re: Extension Language for a Text Editor

Ryan Pavlik <rpav@mephle.com> skrev i en
nyhedsmeddelelse:20031008152310.7dff4411.rpav@mephle.com...
> On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 07:10:42 +0900
> Simon Strandgaard <qj5nd7l02@sneakemail.com> wrote:
>
> <snip>
> > I want to use same syntax as Ruby's regex, and perhaps extend it
> > with some editor stuff, perhaps like:
>
> There seem to be simpler/more elegant solutions to these problems than
> reimplementing pcre:

Agree, it may be sufficiently to only replace "regex.c/re_search()" with
something which can operate on an iterator-range. But I am not that strong
in the internals of Ruby and
I prefer C++ over C. I rather make a full-blown regex engine in Ruby than
interfacing to GNU regex in C. It may take longer, but the reward is many:
* exercise my regex knowledge.
* a regex engine with Ruby license.
I am not interested in doing what may be the easiest.  I just do what I like
:-)


> > * how to traverse the datastructure, jump over folds, jump into
> >   folds.
> > * regex on columnar selections.
> > * mechanism for getting the syntax-state: perhaps a regex which
> >   only operates inside comments,  apply regex to variable-names, etc.
>
> All three of these can easily be accomplished by providing constrained
> input to the matcher.  For folds etc, first you grab the pieces you
> want (folds, no folds), then apply the re.   For colums, same deal.
> Extract the column, then apply.  I'm sure you can guess where this is
> going for the last one... extract and apply the regexp only to
> comments or variable names.

Your are talking about traversing, and you are absolutly right..
But I am talking about the syntax of the regex.  Misunderstanding :-)

[snip more text about traversing]
BTW: I use many different kinds of iterators for traversing.


> I'd say this is way simpler, more effective, and more extensible than
> redefining all-new regexp syntax.  Especially since the existing
> syntax is hairy enough. ;-)

Yes this isn't going to be easy. I am the kind of type which like hairy
problems :-)

--
Simon Strandgaard