term% cat index.txt REGEX(3) Library Functions Manual REGEX(3)
NAME
re_comp, re_exec - regular expression handler
SYNOPSIS
char *re_comp(s)
char *s;
re_exec(s)
char *s;
DESCRIPTION
Re_comp compiles a regular expression into an internal form suitable
for pattern matching. Re_exec checks the argument string against the
last string passed to re_comp.
Re_comp returns 0 if the string s was compiled successfully; otherwise
a string containing an error message is returned. If re_comp is passed
0 or a null string, it returns without changing the currently compiled
regular expression.
Re_exec returns 1 if the string s matches the last compiled regular ex‐
pression, 0 if the string s failed to match the last compiled regular
expression, and -1 if the compiled regular expression was invalid (in‐
dicating an internal error).
The strings passed to both re_comp and re_exec may have trailing or em‐
bedded newline characters; they are terminated by nulls. The regular
expressions are otherwise as described for ed(1).
SEE ALSO
ed(1), expr(1), regexp(3)
DIAGNOSTICS
Re_exec returns -1 for an internal error.
BUGS
These routines have been superseded by the more general routines of
regexp(3). They have been retained only for compatibility.
deprecated REGEX(3)