Ano-Tech Computers
Enter keyword:

Perl: How to include variables in a regular expression
Problem:
Now and then you want to include a variable string in a regular expression like this: "if (/\w{1,4}$var_(\d*)/)" Unfortunately, this will confuse the compiler, because it can't decide exactly what the variable name is, and incorrectly try to use "$var_". But the variable you wanted to use was "$var".
 
Solution:
By using the escape codes \Q and \E you can tell the compiler where the variable name begins and ends.

Example:
"if (/\w{1,4}\Q$var\E_(\d*)/) "

Thanks to Savuud for this one!! :-)

 
Discuss this solution
Did this article solve your problem? Yes No Did not apply

This is free technical advice without any warranties. Use at your own risk. Solutions offered may not apply to your particular problem at all. Opinions and views expressed in the articles are the authors' personal and may not necessarily reflect or coincide with those of Ano-Tech Computers. We take no responsibility if anything bad happens from following any of the intructions given. If you don't understand and accept this, please contact us for personal assistance instead.
To read our full disclaimer, go here.

We welcome anyone who is willing to contribute to this public knowledge base, contact siteadmin@atc.no if you have information you would like to share. The idea is not to replace the commercial support sites, but to publish those hard-to-find solutions you've found yourself looking for over and over again.

Show all articles