Re: including . in a pattern match

snip
>
> The only challenge is that the $p_number pattern seems to match all of
> the following. 10 1/2 10-1/2 10--1/2
>
> I started out with (\s+|-?) as my delimiter pattern and then when that
> didn't work I changed it to (\s+|-{1,1}). It still matches the case
> with two hyphens. Can you tell me why?
>
> my $p_fraction = qr{ # match a fractional number
> ($RE{num}{int}) # integer pattern
> (/) # fraction delimiter
> ($RE{num}{int}) # integer pattern
> }x;
>
> my $p_number = qr{ # match a number
> (
> ($RE{num}{real}) # real pattern
> |
> ($RE{num}{real}) # real pattern
> (\s+|-{1,1}) # mixed number delimiter
> ($p_fraction) # fraction pattern
> |
> ($p_fraction) # fraction pattern
> )
> }x;

Well, the answer was right in fromt of me. The delimiter pattern is mattching
the first hyphen and the integer pattern is matching the second hyphen as a
negative sign. Arrrgh!

The Regex::Dommon::Number documentation doesn't indicate a way to match only
numbers without a sign. I am thinking I will just lose the - as part of the
delimiter and let the integer pattern take care of it. A bit messy but it will
work. If anyone can think of a better idea I would appreciate your time in
sharing it.

Kind Regards,
Keith
.