split function with OR

[math]

Hi,

I need help with the split fuction

It seems that perl spilts TWICE when you use an OR (|) and both parts are accepted...

My example:
$rule = "This is a sentence!";
@words = split(/(^[\w]+$)|([\W]+$)/,$rule);
foreach $word (@words)
{
print "$word\|";
}

Perl would give:
This|| |is|| |a|| |sentence||!|

the | shows where Perl split the sentence... It seems he splits TWICE when you OR expression has 2 correct parts... I hope you understand what I'm saying Is there an Exclusive OR or something?

Basicly, I want to split a sentence in words,spaces and (points,questionmarks,...)

Please help !!

THANX IN ADVANCE !!
math

 

[raider2001]

Why not just split on a word boundary '\b'?

@words = split(/\b/,$rule);

 

[tsdragon]

You're using the pattern improperly for a split. Here's a quote from the perlfunc manpage:

If the PATTERN contains parentheses, additional array elements are created from each matching substring in the delimiter.
   split(/([,-])/, "1-10,20");
produces the list value
   (1, '-', 1-, ',', 20)

I also think you're using the entirely regular expression improperly for a split. Especially since you have begin-line (^) and end-line($) characters in it. The split pattern (notice it does NOT say "regular expression&quot is supposed to be a string found BETWEEN elements of the string, which it really can't be if it's supposed to include line-begin and line-end. Additionally, you don't really need the character class [ and ] characters around \w or \W - they already DEFINE a character class all on their own.

Take raider's advice.
Tracy Dryden
tracy@bydisn.com

http://www.bydisn.com

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.