Re: Stupid module and pregexp questions

[Tom Lord]

    > From: Thien-Thi Nguyen <address@hidden>

    > i posit there exists some super general
    > regular expression engine upon which any (regexp engine)
    > interface can be built.  maybe that would be librx, maybe not.

Do you _really_ want to know?   It's a _large_ topic but one that does
admit very precise analysis.


    > a good interface is most definitely appreciated.  a good
    > architecture is one that has more than one good interface,
    > although not all interfaces need be visible to everyone.
    > that is the paradox: quality arises from perception but once
    > crafted, no one need see the quality to appreciate its effect.
    > as long as what seeds are eaten are shat out in equilibrium
    > the system is sustainable and perhaps even beautiful.

Fully agreed, Chauncy, but what do we do about text pattern languages
that require backtracking (but don't obviously lack linear
alternatives of comperable expressiveness (but are dirt simple to
implement)) and what do we do about regular expression engines that
think they are only about contiguous text?

-t