16
16
<li><a name="TOC1" href="#SEC1">SYNOPSIS</a>
17
<li><a name="TOC2" href="#SEC2">OPTIONS</a>
18
<li><a name="TOC3" href="#SEC3">DESCRIPTION</a>
19
<li><a name="TOC4" href="#SEC4">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a>
20
<li><a name="TOC5" href="#SEC5">DATA LINES</a>
21
<li><a name="TOC6" href="#SEC6">THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a>
22
<li><a name="TOC7" href="#SEC7">DEFAULT OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a>
23
<li><a name="TOC8" href="#SEC8">OUTPUT FROM THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a>
24
<li><a name="TOC9" href="#SEC9">RESTARTING AFTER A PARTIAL MATCH</a>
25
<li><a name="TOC10" href="#SEC10">CALLOUTS</a>
26
<li><a name="TOC11" href="#SEC11">NON-PRINTING CHARACTERS</a>
27
<li><a name="TOC12" href="#SEC12">SAVING AND RELOADING COMPILED PATTERNS</a>
28
<li><a name="TOC13" href="#SEC13">SEE ALSO</a>
29
<li><a name="TOC14" href="#SEC14">AUTHOR</a>
30
<li><a name="TOC15" href="#SEC15">REVISION</a>
17
<li><a name="TOC2" href="#SEC2">PCRE's 8-BIT and 16-BIT LIBRARIES</a>
18
<li><a name="TOC3" href="#SEC3">COMMAND LINE OPTIONS</a>
19
<li><a name="TOC4" href="#SEC4">DESCRIPTION</a>
20
<li><a name="TOC5" href="#SEC5">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a>
21
<li><a name="TOC6" href="#SEC6">DATA LINES</a>
22
<li><a name="TOC7" href="#SEC7">THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a>
23
<li><a name="TOC8" href="#SEC8">DEFAULT OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a>
24
<li><a name="TOC9" href="#SEC9">OUTPUT FROM THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a>
25
<li><a name="TOC10" href="#SEC10">RESTARTING AFTER A PARTIAL MATCH</a>
26
<li><a name="TOC11" href="#SEC11">CALLOUTS</a>
27
<li><a name="TOC12" href="#SEC12">NON-PRINTING CHARACTERS</a>
28
<li><a name="TOC13" href="#SEC13">SAVING AND RELOADING COMPILED PATTERNS</a>
29
<li><a name="TOC14" href="#SEC14">SEE ALSO</a>
30
<li><a name="TOC15" href="#SEC15">AUTHOR</a>
31
<li><a name="TOC16" href="#SEC16">REVISION</a>
32
33
<br><a name="SEC1" href="#TOC1">SYNOPSIS</a><br>
34
<b>pcretest [options] [source] [destination]</b>
35
<b>pcretest [options] [input file [output file]]</b>
37
38
<b>pcretest</b> was written as a test program for the PCRE regular expression
42
43
documentation. For details of the PCRE library function calls and their
44
45
<a href="pcreapi.html"><b>pcreapi</b></a>
47
<br><a name="SEC2" href="#TOC1">OPTIONS</a><br>
47
<a href="pcre16.html"><b>pcre16</b></a>
48
documentation. The input for <b>pcretest</b> is a sequence of regular expression
49
patterns and strings to be matched, as described below. The output shows the
50
result of each match. Options on the command line and the patterns control PCRE
51
options and exactly what is output.
53
<br><a name="SEC2" href="#TOC1">PCRE's 8-BIT and 16-BIT LIBRARIES</a><br>
55
From release 8.30, two separate PCRE libraries can be built. The original one
56
supports 8-bit character strings, whereas the newer 16-bit library supports
57
character strings encoded in 16-bit units. The <b>pcretest</b> program can be
58
used to test both libraries. However, it is itself still an 8-bit program,
59
reading 8-bit input and writing 8-bit output. When testing the 16-bit library,
60
the patterns and data strings are converted to 16-bit format before being
61
passed to the PCRE library functions. Results are converted to 8-bit for
65
References to functions and structures of the form <b>pcre[16]_xx</b> below
66
mean "<b>pcre_xx</b> when using the 8-bit library or <b>pcre16_xx</b> when using
69
<br><a name="SEC3" href="#TOC1">COMMAND LINE OPTIONS</a><br>
72
If both the 8-bit and the 16-bit libraries have been built, this option causes
73
the 16-bit library to be used. If only the 16-bit library has been built, this
74
is the default (so has no effect). If only the 8-bit library has been built,
75
this option causes an error.
50
Behave as if each regex has the <b>/B</b> (show bytecode) modifier; the internal
51
form is output after compilation.
79
Behave as if each pattern has the <b>/B</b> (show byte code) modifier; the
80
internal form is output after compilation.
55
84
Output the version number of the PCRE library, and all available information
56
about the optional features that are included, and then exit.
85
about the optional features that are included, and then exit. All other options
89
<b>-C</b> <i>option</i>
90
Output information about a specific build-time option, then exit. This
91
functionality is intended for use in scripts such as <b>RunTest</b>. The
92
following options output the value indicated:
94
linksize the internal link size (2, 3, or 4)
95
newline the default newline setting:
96
CR, LF, CRLF, ANYCRLF, or ANY
98
The following options output 1 for true or zero for false:
100
jit just-in-time support is available
101
pcre16 the 16-bit library was built
102
pcre8 the 8-bit library was built
103
ucp Unicode property support is available
104
utf UTF-8 and/or UTF-16 support is available
60
Behave as if each regex has the <b>/D</b> (debug) modifier; the internal
109
Behave as if each pattern has the <b>/D</b> (debug) modifier; the internal
61
110
form and information about the compiled pattern is output after compilation;
62
111
<b>-d</b> is equivalent to <b>-b -i</b>.
66
115
Behave as if each data line contains the \D escape sequence; this causes the
67
alternative matching function, <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>, to be used instead of the
68
standard <b>pcre_exec()</b> function (more detail is given below).
116
alternative matching function, <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>, to be used instead of
117
the standard <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> function (more detail is given below).
76
Behave as if each regex has the <b>/I</b> modifier; information about the
125
Behave as if each pattern has the <b>/I</b> modifier; information about the
77
126
compiled pattern is given after compilation.
81
130
Behave as if each data line contains the \M escape sequence; this causes
82
131
PCRE to discover the minimum MATCH_LIMIT and MATCH_LIMIT_RECURSION settings by
83
calling <b>pcre_exec()</b> repeatedly with different limits.
132
calling <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> repeatedly with different limits.
87
136
Output the size of each compiled pattern after it has been compiled. This is
88
equivalent to adding <b>/M</b> to each regular expression. For compatibility
89
with earlier versions of pcretest, <b>-s</b> is a synonym for <b>-m</b>.
137
equivalent to adding <b>/M</b> to each regular expression. The size is given in
138
bytes for both libraries.
92
141
<b>-o</b> <i>osize</i>
93
142
Set the number of elements in the output vector that is used when calling
94
<b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b> to be <i>osize</i>. The default value
95
is 45, which is enough for 14 capturing subexpressions for <b>pcre_exec()</b> or
96
22 different matches for <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>. The vector size can be
97
changed for individual matching calls by including \O in the data line (see
143
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b> to be <i>osize</i>. The
144
default value is 45, which is enough for 14 capturing subexpressions for
145
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or 22 different matches for <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>.
146
The vector size can be changed for individual matching calls by including \O
147
in the data line (see below).
102
Behave as if each regex has the <b>/P</b> modifier; the POSIX wrapper API is
151
Behave as if each pattern has the <b>/P</b> modifier; the POSIX wrapper API is
103
152
used to call PCRE. None of the other options has any effect when <b>-p</b> is
153
set. This option can be used only with the 8-bit library.
111
160
<b>-S</b> <i>size</i>
112
On Unix-like systems, set the size of the runtime stack to <i>size</i>
161
On Unix-like systems, set the size of the run-time stack to <i>size</i>
165
<b>-s</b> or <b>-s+</b>
166
Behave as if each pattern has the <b>/S</b> modifier; in other words, force each
167
pattern to be studied. If <b>-s+</b> is used, the PCRE_STUDY_JIT_COMPILE flag is
168
passed to <b>pcre[16]_study()</b>, causing just-in-time optimization to be set
169
up if it is available. If the <b>/I</b> or <b>/D</b> option is present on a
170
pattern (requesting output about the compiled pattern), information about the
171
result of studying is not included when studying is caused only by <b>-s</b> and
172
neither <b>-i</b> nor <b>-d</b> is present on the command line. This behaviour
173
means that the output from tests that are run with and without <b>-s</b> should
174
be identical, except when options that output information about the actual
175
running of a match are set.
178
The <b>-M</b>, <b>-t</b>, and <b>-tm</b> options, which give information about
179
resources used, are likely to produce different output with and without
180
<b>-s</b>. Output may also differ if the <b>/C</b> option is present on an
181
individual pattern. This uses callouts to trace the the matching process, and
182
this may be different between studied and non-studied patterns. If the pattern
183
contains (*MARK) items there may also be differences, for the same reason. The
184
<b>-s</b> command line option can be overridden for specific patterns that
185
should never be studied (see the <b>/S</b> pattern modifier below).
117
189
Run each compile, study, and match many times with a timer, and output
118
190
resulting time per compile or match (in milliseconds). Do not set <b>-m</b> with
184
256
is interpreted as the first line of a pattern that starts with "abc/", causing
185
257
pcretest to read the next line as a continuation of the regular expression.
187
<br><a name="SEC4" href="#TOC1">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a><br>
259
<br><a name="SEC5" href="#TOC1">PATTERN MODIFIERS</a><br>
189
261
A pattern may be followed by any number of modifiers, which are mostly single
190
262
characters. Following Perl usage, these are referred to below as, for example,
191
263
"the <b>/i</b> modifier", even though the delimiter of the pattern need not
192
always be a slash, and no slash is used when writing modifiers. Whitespace may
264
always be a slash, and no slash is used when writing modifiers. White space may
193
265
appear between the final pattern delimiter and the first modifier, and between
194
266
the modifiers themselves.
197
269
The <b>/i</b>, <b>/m</b>, <b>/s</b>, and <b>/x</b> modifiers set the PCRE_CASELESS,
198
270
PCRE_MULTILINE, PCRE_DOTALL, or PCRE_EXTENDED options, respectively, when
199
<b>pcre_compile()</b> is called. These four modifier letters have the same
271
<b>pcre[16]_compile()</b> is called. These four modifier letters have the same
200
272
effect as they do in Perl. For example:
226
302
<b>/<bsr_unicode></b> PCRE_BSR_UNICODE
228
304
The modifiers that are enclosed in angle brackets are literal strings as shown,
229
including the angle brackets, but the letters can be in either case. This
230
example sets multiline matching with CRLF as the line ending sequence:
305
including the angle brackets, but the letters within can be in either case.
306
This example sets multiline matching with CRLF as the line ending sequence:
232
/^abc/m<crlf>
308
/^abc/m<CRLF>
234
As well as turning on the PCRE_UTF8 option, the <b>/8</b> modifier also causes
235
any non-printing characters in output strings to be printed using the
236
\x{hh...} notation if they are valid UTF-8 sequences. Full details of the PCRE
237
options are given in the
310
As well as turning on the PCRE_UTF8/16 option, the <b>/8</b> modifier causes
311
all non-printing characters in output strings to be printed using the
312
\x{hh...} notation. Otherwise, those less than 0x100 are output in hex without
316
Full details of the PCRE options are given in the
238
317
<a href="pcreapi.html"><b>pcreapi</b></a>
246
325
by the <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> modifier. After finding a match, PCRE is called
247
326
again to search the remainder of the subject string. The difference between
248
327
<b>/g</b> and <b>/G</b> is that the former uses the <i>startoffset</i> argument to
249
<b>pcre_exec()</b> to start searching at a new point within the entire string
250
(which is in effect what Perl does), whereas the latter passes over a shortened
251
substring. This makes a difference to the matching process if the pattern
252
begins with a lookbehind assertion (including \b or \B).
328
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> to start searching at a new point within the entire
329
string (which is in effect what Perl does), whereas the latter passes over a
330
shortened substring. This makes a difference to the matching process if the
331
pattern begins with a lookbehind assertion (including \b or \B).
255
If any call to <b>pcre_exec()</b> in a <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> sequence matches an
256
empty string, the next call is done with the PCRE_NOTEMPTY_ATSTART and
334
If any call to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> in a <b>/g</b> or <b>/G</b> sequence matches
335
an empty string, the next call is done with the PCRE_NOTEMPTY_ATSTART and
257
336
PCRE_ANCHORED flags set in order to search for another, non-empty, match at the
258
337
same point. If this second match fails, the start offset is advanced, and the
259
338
normal match is retried. This imitates the way Perl handles such cases when
273
352
The <b>/+</b> modifier requests that as well as outputting the substring that
274
matched the entire pattern, pcretest should in addition output the remainder of
275
the subject string. This is useful for tests where the subject contains
276
multiple copies of the same substring.
353
matched the entire pattern, <b>pcretest</b> should in addition output the
354
remainder of the subject string. This is useful for tests where the subject
355
contains multiple copies of the same substring. If the <b>+</b> modifier appears
356
twice, the same action is taken for captured substrings. In each case the
357
remainder is output on the following line with a plus character following the
358
capture number. Note that this modifier must not immediately follow the /S
359
modifier because /S+ has another meaning.
362
The <b>/=</b> modifier requests that the values of all potential captured
363
parentheses be output after a match. By default, only those up to the highest
364
one actually used in the match are output (corresponding to the return code
365
from <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b>). Values in the offsets vector corresponding to
366
higher numbers should be set to -1, and these are output as "<unset>". This
367
modifier gives a way of checking that this is happening.
279
370
The <b>/B</b> modifier is a debugging feature. It requests that <b>pcretest</b>
280
output a representation of the compiled byte code after compilation. Normally
281
this information contains length and offset values; however, if <b>/Z</b> is
282
also present, this data is replaced by spaces. This is a special feature for
283
use in the automatic test scripts; it ensures that the same output is generated
284
for different internal link sizes.
371
output a representation of the compiled code after compilation. Normally this
372
information contains length and offset values; however, if <b>/Z</b> is also
373
present, this data is replaced by spaces. This is a special feature for use in
374
the automatic test scripts; it ensures that the same output is generated for
375
different internal link sizes.
287
378
The <b>/D</b> modifier is a PCRE debugging feature, and is equivalent to
291
382
The <b>/F</b> modifier causes <b>pcretest</b> to flip the byte order of the
292
fields in the compiled pattern that contain 2-byte and 4-byte numbers. This
293
facility is for testing the feature in PCRE that allows it to execute patterns
294
that were compiled on a host with a different endianness. This feature is not
295
available when the POSIX interface to PCRE is being used, that is, when the
296
<b>/P</b> pattern modifier is specified. See also the section about saving and
297
reloading compiled patterns below.
383
2-byte and 4-byte fields in the compiled pattern. This facility is for testing
384
the feature in PCRE that allows it to execute patterns that were compiled on a
385
host with a different endianness. This feature is not available when the POSIX
386
interface to PCRE is being used, that is, when the <b>/P</b> pattern modifier is
387
specified. See also the section about saving and reloading compiled patterns
300
391
The <b>/I</b> modifier requests that <b>pcretest</b> output information about the
301
392
compiled pattern (whether it is anchored, has a fixed first character, and
302
so on). It does this by calling <b>pcre_fullinfo()</b> after compiling a
393
so on). It does this by calling <b>pcre[16]_fullinfo()</b> after compiling a
303
394
pattern. If the pattern is studied, the results of that are also output.
306
397
The <b>/K</b> modifier requests <b>pcretest</b> to show names from backtracking
307
control verbs that are returned from calls to <b>pcre_exec()</b>. It causes
308
<b>pcretest</b> to create a <b>pcre_extra</b> block if one has not already been
309
created by a call to <b>pcre_study()</b>, and to set the PCRE_EXTRA_MARK flag
310
and the <b>mark</b> field within it, every time that <b>pcre_exec()</b> is
311
called. If the variable that the <b>mark</b> field points to is non-NULL for a
312
match, non-match, or partial match, <b>pcretest</b> prints the string to which
313
it points. For a match, this is shown on a line by itself, tagged with "MK:".
314
For a non-match it is added to the message.
398
control verbs that are returned from calls to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b>. It causes
399
<b>pcretest</b> to create a <b>pcre[16]_extra</b> block if one has not already
400
been created by a call to <b>pcre[16]_study()</b>, and to set the
401
PCRE_EXTRA_MARK flag and the <b>mark</b> field within it, every time that
402
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> is called. If the variable that the <b>mark</b> field
403
points to is non-NULL for a match, non-match, or partial match, <b>pcretest</b>
404
prints the string to which it points. For a match, this is shown on a line by
405
itself, tagged with "MK:". For a non-match it is added to the message.
317
408
The <b>/L</b> modifier must be followed directly by the name of a locale, for
322
413
For this reason, it must be the last modifier. The given locale is set,
323
<b>pcre_maketables()</b> is called to build a set of character tables for the
324
locale, and this is then passed to <b>pcre_compile()</b> when compiling the
325
regular expression. Without an <b>/L</b> (or <b>/T</b>) modifier, NULL is passed
326
as the tables pointer; that is, <b>/L</b> applies only to the expression on
330
The <b>/M</b> modifier causes the size of memory block used to hold the compiled
331
pattern to be output.
334
The <b>/S</b> modifier causes <b>pcre_study()</b> to be called after the
335
expression has been compiled, and the results used when the expression is
414
<b>pcre[16]_maketables()</b> is called to build a set of character tables for
415
the locale, and this is then passed to <b>pcre[16]_compile()</b> when compiling
416
the regular expression. Without an <b>/L</b> (or <b>/T</b>) modifier, NULL is
417
passed as the tables pointer; that is, <b>/L</b> applies only to the expression
421
The <b>/M</b> modifier causes the size in bytes of the memory block used to hold
422
the compiled pattern to be output. This does not include the size of the
423
<b>pcre[16]</b> block; it is just the actual compiled data. If the pattern is
424
successfully studied with the PCRE_STUDY_JIT_COMPILE option, the size of the
425
JIT compiled code is also output.
428
If the <b>/S</b> modifier appears once, it causes <b>pcre[16]_study()</b> to be
429
called after the expression has been compiled, and the results used when the
430
expression is matched. If <b>/S</b> appears twice, it suppresses studying, even
431
if it was requested externally by the <b>-s</b> command line option. This makes
432
it possible to specify that certain patterns are always studied, and others are
433
never studied, independently of <b>-s</b>. This feature is used in the test
434
files in a few cases where the output is different when the pattern is studied.
437
If the <b>/S</b> modifier is immediately followed by a + character, the call to
438
<b>pcre[16]_study()</b> is made with the PCRE_STUDY_JIT_COMPILE option,
439
requesting just-in-time optimization support if it is available. Note that
440
there is also a <b>/+</b> modifier; it must not be given immediately after
441
<b>/S</b> because this will be misinterpreted. If JIT studying is successful, it
442
will automatically be used when <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> is run, except when
443
incompatible run-time options are specified. These include the partial matching
444
options; a complete list is given in the
445
<a href="pcrejit.html"><b>pcrejit</b></a>
446
documentation. See also the <b>\J</b> escape sequence below for a way of
447
setting the size of the JIT stack.
339
450
The <b>/T</b> modifier must be followed by a single digit. It causes a specific
340
set of built-in character tables to be passed to <b>pcre_compile()</b>. It is
341
used in the standard PCRE tests to check behaviour with different character
451
set of built-in character tables to be passed to <b>pcre[16]_compile()</b>. It
452
is used in the standard PCRE tests to check behaviour with different character
342
453
tables. The digit specifies the tables as follows:
344
455
0 the default ASCII tables, as distributed in
379
491
\a alarm (BEL, \x07)
380
492
\b backspace (\x08)
383
495
\n newline (\x0a)
384
496
\qdd set the PCRE_MATCH_LIMIT limit to dd (any number of digits)
385
497
\r carriage return (\x0d)
387
499
\v vertical tab (\x0b)
388
\nnn octal character (up to 3 octal digits)
389
always a byte unless > 255 in UTF-8 mode
500
\nnn octal character (up to 3 octal digits); always
501
a byte unless > 255 in UTF-8 or 16-bit mode
390
502
\xhh hexadecimal byte (up to 2 hex digits)
391
\x{hh...} hexadecimal character, any number of digits in UTF-8 mode
392
\A pass the PCRE_ANCHORED option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
393
\B pass the PCRE_NOTBOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
394
\Cdd call pcre_copy_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32)
395
\Cname call pcre_copy_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin-
503
\x{hh...} hexadecimal character (any number of hex digits)
504
\A pass the PCRE_ANCHORED option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
505
\B pass the PCRE_NOTBOL option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
506
\Cdd call pcre[16]_copy_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32)
507
\Cname call pcre[16]_copy_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin-
396
508
ated by next non alphanumeric character)
397
509
\C+ show the current captured substrings at callout time
398
510
\C- do not supply a callout function
399
511
\C!n return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is reached
400
512
\C!n!m return 1 instead of 0 when callout number n is reached for the nth time
401
513
\C*n pass the number n (may be negative) as callout data; this is used as the callout return value
402
\D use the <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b> match function
403
\F only shortest match for <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
404
\Gdd call pcre_get_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32)
405
\Gname call pcre_get_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin-
514
\D use the <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b> match function
515
\F only shortest match for <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
516
\Gdd call pcre[16]_get_substring() for substring dd after a successful match (number less than 32)
517
\Gname call pcre[16]_get_named_substring() for substring "name" after a successful match (name termin-
406
518
ated by next non-alphanumeric character)
407
\L call pcre_get_substringlist() after a successful match
519
\Jdd set up a JIT stack of dd kilobytes maximum (any number of digits)
520
\L call pcre[16]_get_substringlist() after a successful match
408
521
\M discover the minimum MATCH_LIMIT and MATCH_LIMIT_RECURSION settings
409
\N pass the PCRE_NOTEMPTY option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>; if used twice, pass the
522
\N pass the PCRE_NOTEMPTY option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>; if used twice, pass the
410
523
PCRE_NOTEMPTY_ATSTART option
411
\Odd set the size of the output vector passed to <b>pcre_exec()</b> to dd (any number of digits)
412
\P pass the PCRE_PARTIAL_SOFT option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>; if used twice, pass the
524
\Odd set the size of the output vector passed to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> to dd (any number of digits)
525
\P pass the PCRE_PARTIAL_SOFT option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>; if used twice, pass the
413
526
PCRE_PARTIAL_HARD option
414
527
\Qdd set the PCRE_MATCH_LIMIT_RECURSION limit to dd (any number of digits)
415
\R pass the PCRE_DFA_RESTART option to <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
528
\R pass the PCRE_DFA_RESTART option to <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
416
529
\S output details of memory get/free calls during matching
417
\Y pass the PCRE_NO_START_OPTIMIZE option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
418
\Z pass the PCRE_NOTEOL option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
419
\? pass the PCRE_NO_UTF8_CHECK option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
530
\Y pass the PCRE_NO_START_OPTIMIZE option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
531
\Z pass the PCRE_NOTEOL option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
532
\? pass the PCRE_NO_UTF[8|16]_CHECK option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
420
533
\>dd start the match at offset dd (optional "-"; then any number of digits); this sets the <i>startoffset</i>
421
argument for <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
422
\<cr> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_CR option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
423
\<lf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_LF option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
424
\<crlf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_CRLF option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
425
\<anycrlf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_ANYCRLF option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
426
\<any> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_ANY option to <b>pcre_exec()</b> or <b>pcre_dfa_exec()</b>
534
argument for <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
535
\<cr> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_CR option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
536
\<lf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_LF option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
537
\<crlf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_CRLF option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
538
\<anycrlf> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_ANYCRLF option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
539
\<any> pass the PCRE_NEWLINE_ANY option to <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> or <b>pcre[16]_dfa_exec()</b>
428
Note that \xhh always specifies one byte, even in UTF-8 mode; this makes it
429
possible to construct invalid UTF-8 sequences for testing purposes. On the
430
other hand, \x{hh} is interpreted as a UTF-8 character in UTF-8 mode,
431
generating more than one byte if the value is greater than 127. When not in
432
UTF-8 mode, it generates one byte for values less than 256, and causes an error
541
The use of \x{hh...} is not dependent on the use of the <b>/8</b> modifier on
542
the pattern. It is recognized always. There may be any number of hexadecimal
543
digits inside the braces; invalid values provoke error messages.
546
Note that \xhh specifies one byte rather than one character in UTF-8 mode;
547
this makes it possible to construct invalid UTF-8 sequences for testing
548
purposes. On the other hand, \x{hh} is interpreted as a UTF-8 character in
549
UTF-8 mode, generating more than one byte if the value is greater than 127.
550
When testing the 8-bit library not in UTF-8 mode, \x{hh} generates one byte
551
for values less than 256, and causes an error for greater values.
554
In UTF-16 mode, all 4-digit \x{hhhh} values are accepted. This makes it
555
possible to construct invalid UTF-16 sequences for testing purposes.
436
558
The escapes that specify line ending sequences are literal strings, exactly as
446
If \M is present, <b>pcretest</b> calls <b>pcre_exec()</b> several times, with
447
different values in the <i>match_limit</i> and <i>match_limit_recursion</i>
448
fields of the <b>pcre_extra</b> data structure, until it finds the minimum
449
numbers for each parameter that allow <b>pcre_exec()</b> to complete. The
450
<i>match_limit</i> number is a measure of the amount of backtracking that takes
451
place, and checking it out can be instructive. For most simple matches, the
452
number is quite small, but for patterns with very large numbers of matching
453
possibilities, it can become large very quickly with increasing length of
454
subject string. The <i>match_limit_recursion</i> number is a measure of how much
455
stack (or, if PCRE is compiled with NO_RECURSE, how much heap) memory is needed
456
to complete the match attempt.
568
The <b>\J</b> escape provides a way of setting the maximum stack size that is
569
used by the just-in-time optimization code. It is ignored if JIT optimization
570
is not being used. Providing a stack that is larger than the default 32K is
571
necessary only for very complicated patterns.
574
If \M is present, <b>pcretest</b> calls <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> several times,
575
with different values in the <i>match_limit</i> and <i>match_limit_recursion</i>
576
fields of the <b>pcre[16]_extra</b> data structure, until it finds the minimum
577
numbers for each parameter that allow <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> to complete without
578
error. Because this is testing a specific feature of the normal interpretive
579
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> execution, the use of any JIT optimization that might
580
have been set up by the <b>/S+</b> qualifier of <b>-s+</b> option is disabled.
583
The <i>match_limit</i> number is a measure of the amount of backtracking
584
that takes place, and checking it out can be instructive. For most simple
585
matches, the number is quite small, but for patterns with very large numbers of
586
matching possibilities, it can become large very quickly with increasing length
587
of subject string. The <i>match_limit_recursion</i> number is a measure of how
588
much stack (or, if PCRE is compiled with NO_RECURSE, how much heap) memory is
589
needed to complete the match attempt.
459
592
When \O is used, the value specified may be higher or lower than the size set
460
593
by the <b>-O</b> command line option (or defaulted to 45); \O applies only to
461
the call of <b>pcre_exec()</b> for the line in which it appears.
594
the call of <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> for the line in which it appears.
464
597
If the <b>/P</b> modifier was present on the pattern, causing the POSIX wrapper
466
599
\N, and \Z, causing REG_NOTBOL, REG_NOTEMPTY, and REG_NOTEOL, respectively,
467
600
to be passed to <b>regexec()</b>.
470
The use of \x{hh...} to represent UTF-8 characters is not dependent on the use
471
of the <b>/8</b> modifier on the pattern. It is recognized always. There may be
472
any number of hexadecimal digits inside the braces. The result is from one to
473
six bytes, encoded according to the original UTF-8 rules of RFC 2279. This
474
allows for values in the range 0 to 0x7FFFFFFF. Note that not all of those are
475
valid Unicode code points, or indeed valid UTF-8 characters according to the
476
later rules in RFC 3629.
478
<br><a name="SEC6" href="#TOC1">THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a><br>
602
<br><a name="SEC7" href="#TOC1">THE ALTERNATIVE MATCHING FUNCTION</a><br>
480
604
By default, <b>pcretest</b> uses the standard PCRE matching function,
481
<b>pcre_exec()</b> to match each data line. From release 6.0, PCRE supports an
482
alternative matching function, <b>pcre_dfa_test()</b>, which operates in a
605
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> to match each data line. PCRE also supports an
606
alternative matching function, <b>pcre[16]_dfa_test()</b>, which operates in a
483
607
different way, and has some restrictions. The differences between the two
484
608
functions are described in the
485
609
<a href="pcrematching.html"><b>pcrematching</b></a>
489
613
If a data line contains the \D escape sequence, or if the command line
490
contains the <b>-dfa</b> option, the alternative matching function is called.
614
contains the <b>-dfa</b> option, the alternative matching function is used.
491
615
This function finds all possible matches at a given point. If, however, the \F
492
616
escape sequence is present in the data line, it stops after the first match is
493
617
found. This is always the shortest possible match.
495
<br><a name="SEC7" href="#TOC1">DEFAULT OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a><br>
619
<br><a name="SEC8" href="#TOC1">DEFAULT OUTPUT FROM PCRETEST</a><br>
497
621
This section describes the output when the normal matching function,
498
<b>pcre_exec()</b>, is being used.
622
<b>pcre[16]_exec()</b>, is being used.
501
When a match succeeds, pcretest outputs the list of captured substrings that
502
<b>pcre_exec()</b> returns, starting with number 0 for the string that matched
503
the whole pattern. Otherwise, it outputs "No match" when the return is
625
When a match succeeds, <b>pcretest</b> outputs the list of captured substrings
626
that <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> returns, starting with number 0 for the string that
627
matched the whole pattern. Otherwise, it outputs "No match" when the return is
504
628
PCRE_ERROR_NOMATCH, and "Partial match:" followed by the partially matching
505
substring when <b>pcre_exec()</b> returns PCRE_ERROR_PARTIAL. (Note that this is
506
the entire substring that was inspected during the partial match; it may
507
include characters before the actual match start if a lookbehind assertion,
508
\K, \b, or \B was involved.) For any other returns, it outputs the PCRE
509
negative error number. Here is an example of an interactive <b>pcretest</b> run.
629
substring when <b>pcre[16]_exec()</b> returns PCRE_ERROR_PARTIAL. (Note that
630
this is the entire substring that was inspected during the partial match; it
631
may include characters before the actual match start if a lookbehind assertion,
632
\K, \b, or \B was involved.) For any other return, <b>pcretest</b> outputs
633
the PCRE negative error number and a short descriptive phrase. If the error is
634
a failed UTF string check, the offset of the start of the failing character and
635
the reason code are also output, provided that the size of the output vector is
636
at least two. Here is an example of an interactive <b>pcretest</b> run.
512
PCRE version 7.0 30-Nov-2006
639
PCRE version 8.13 2011-04-30
514
641
re> /^abc(\d+)/
625
760
<a href="pcrepartial.html"><b>pcrepartial</b></a>
628
<br><a name="SEC10" href="#TOC1">CALLOUTS</a><br>
763
<br><a name="SEC11" href="#TOC1">CALLOUTS</a><br>
630
765
If the pattern contains any callout requests, <b>pcretest</b>'s callout function
631
766
is called during matching. This works with both matching functions. By default,
632
767
the called function displays the callout number, the start and current
633
768
positions in the text at the callout time, and the next pattern item to be
634
tested. For example, the output
636
771
--->pqrabcdef
639
indicates that callout number 0 occurred for a match attempt starting at the
640
fourth character of the subject string, when the pointer was at the seventh
641
character of the data, and when the next pattern item was \d. Just one
642
circumflex is output if the start and current positions are the same.
774
This output indicates that callout number 0 occurred for a match attempt
775
starting at the fourth character of the subject string, when the pointer was at
776
the seventh character of the data, and when the next pattern item was \d. Just
777
one circumflex is output if the start and current positions are the same.
645
780
Callouts numbered 255 are assumed to be automatic callouts, inserted as a
703
859
there is no study data (either the pattern was not studied, or studying did not
704
860
return any data), the second length is zero. The lengths are followed by an
705
861
exact copy of the compiled pattern. If there is additional study data, this
706
follows immediately after the compiled pattern. After writing the file,
707
<b>pcretest</b> expects to read a new pattern.
862
(excluding any JIT data) follows immediately after the compiled pattern. After
863
writing the file, <b>pcretest</b> expects to read a new pattern.
710
A saved pattern can be reloaded into <b>pcretest</b> by specifing < and a file
866
A saved pattern can be reloaded into <b>pcretest</b> by specifying < and a file
711
867
name instead of a pattern. The name of the file must not contain a < character,
712
868
as otherwise <b>pcretest</b> will interpret the line as a pattern delimited by <
716
872
re> </some/file
717
Compiled regex loaded from /some/file
873
Compiled pattern loaded from /some/file
720
When the pattern has been loaded, <b>pcretest</b> proceeds to read data lines in
876
If the pattern was previously studied with the JIT optimization, the JIT
877
information cannot be saved and restored, and so is lost. When the pattern has
878
been loaded, <b>pcretest</b> proceeds to read data lines in the usual way.
724
881
You can copy a file written by <b>pcretest</b> to a different host and reload it
725
882
there, even if the new host has opposite endianness to the one on which the
726
883
pattern was compiled. For example, you can compile on an i86 machine and run on
884
a SPARC machine. When a pattern is reloaded on a host with different
885
endianness, the confirmation message is changed to:
887
Compiled pattern (byte-inverted) loaded from /some/file
889
The test suite contains some saved pre-compiled patterns with different
890
endianness. These are reloaded using "<!" instead of just "<". This suppresses
891
the "(byte-inverted)" text so that the output is the same on all hosts. It also
892
forces debugging output once the pattern has been reloaded.
730
895
File names for saving and reloading can be absolute or relative, but note that
741
906
Finally, if you attempt to load a file that is not in the correct format, the
742
907
result is undefined.
744
<br><a name="SEC13" href="#TOC1">SEE ALSO</a><br>
909
<br><a name="SEC14" href="#TOC1">SEE ALSO</a><br>
746
<b>pcre</b>(3), <b>pcreapi</b>(3), <b>pcrecallout</b>(3), <b>pcrematching</b>(3),
747
<b>pcrepartial</b>(d), <b>pcrepattern</b>(3), <b>pcreprecompile</b>(3).
911
<b>pcre</b>(3), <b>pcre16</b>(3), <b>pcreapi</b>(3), <b>pcrecallout</b>(3),
912
<b>pcrejit</b>, <b>pcrematching</b>(3), <b>pcrepartial</b>(d),
913
<b>pcrepattern</b>(3), <b>pcreprecompile</b>(3).
749
<br><a name="SEC14" href="#TOC1">AUTHOR</a><br>
915
<br><a name="SEC15" href="#TOC1">AUTHOR</a><br>