A text string pattern matching mechanism. Usually applied to individual lines of text, such as from a simple text file, where the regular expression (sometimes abbreviated as RE) pattern can be used to precisely specify which lines ought to match and which shouldn't. The more complicated REs may look very confusing to people who don't know them, as they look more like a random string of letters and other characters without any obvious meaning.
Commonly they're enclosed between slashes (/like this/), because that's how they were used in many ancient Unix tools. They can also be used for text substitution, for example with the s/ construct. A common operator specifying that a RE will follow is the tilde (~).
The Perl language makes heavy use of regular expressions, and the grep tool also searches by REs. SED and AWK are some older tools also using REs.
REs come in two forms: Basic REs and Extended REs, varying slightly in syntax and possible contructs. Perl extens the Extended REs even further and has defined the standard "Perl Compatible REs" (PCRE).
Commonly they're enclosed between slashes (/like this/), because that's how they were used in many ancient Unix tools. They can also be used for text substitution, for example with the s/ construct. A common operator specifying that a RE will follow is the tilde (~).
The Perl language makes heavy use of regular expressions, and the grep tool also searches by REs. SED and AWK are some older tools also using REs.
REs come in two forms: Basic REs and Extended REs, varying slightly in syntax and possible contructs. Perl extens the Extended REs even further and has defined the standard "Perl Compatible REs" (PCRE).
"some example string" =~ /^s*.*e+.*(?:x.* )?.*?g$/
result: 1 (because the regular expression between the // matches the string)
result: 1 (because the regular expression between the // matches the string)
by DJMoses May 27, 2009
Get the regular expression mug.Used when It is blatantly obvious that someone is being racist. Definitely to be used when you are a female minority referring to a white male.
Sarah: “I mean I don’t know, Chung Lee’s eyes were as if he was looking at the sun while he was talking to me.”
Evan: “Wow Sarah, your racial expression is real strong. Maybe have some tea.”
Evan: “Wow Sarah, your racial expression is real strong. Maybe have some tea.”
by RacialChow February 11, 2019
Get the Racial Expression mug.Related Words
A nano-expression is a very brief, involuntary facial expression shown on the face of humans according to emotions experienced. They usually occur in high-stakes situations, where people have something to lose or gain. Unlike regular facial expressions, it is difficult to fake nanoexpressions.
Nano-expressions express seven universal emotions as microexpressions: disgust, anger, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise, and contempt. They can occur as fast as 1/05 to 1/14 of a second.
by 200lies.com December 18, 2010
Get the Nano-expression mug.An algebraic equation in which each term is either a constant or the product of a constant and (the first power of) a single variable. Linear equations can contain one or more variables
by bob_jumped_off_a_cliff January 28, 2018
Get the linear expression mug.anyone who sees self expression as a liberalist act of pacifism is narrow-minded and probably does nothing but talk about sports and guns all day long to people who could care less but feel sorry for him cause they know he's a loser. it's being able to create something that is your own and defines you as a person.
by jdogg2020 December 21, 2004
Get the self expression mug.A thought which the thinker raises to a higher level by extracting it from his brain by saying it to himself and or others, verbally, nonverbally (such as by making a sound, a face, or a gesture), and/or by writing or drawing it. Expressing a thought also confirms to the thinker and those who are made aware of it that that thought was real, clarifies it, and makes it more useful. If the thinker or someone else records the thought in writing or in another way, it will not be forgotten and may help him in the future.
The following is an example of "thought expression". Carlos felt uncomfortable as the chair he sat on rolled away ever so slightly. Determined to do his homework, he attempted to ignore the feeling but told himself, "I felt it. I felt it," turned, got up, walked to the bedroom, and on his way there told himself verbally, "I felt afraid the chair would continue rolling and I would fall on the floor. That's what happened". With his feet on the floor and his knees bent, he laid back on his bed knowing that would calm him down. Knowing he is a hypersensitive person (HSP), he knew he could not deny his feelings because when he has, his body has given him some type of pain in his back, neck, or organs to remind him to not deny the things he feels. Today he also told himself, "Por algo...", to express his realizing that "God makes me feel the things I feel, for a reason."
by but for July 12, 2018
Get the thought expression mug.A struggle or dispute over the right of individuals, within public spaces, to express their ideas through various forms of communication, such as graffiti, performance art, music, skateboarding, etc. Artists feel their works are appropriate expressions of creation, beauty and art that express anger, frustration, oppression, exclusion and inform others about their subculture. Property owners, police and some others see these forms of expression as being criminal and destructive - or “vandalism.”
After showing the film "Style Wars," Cheryl sent her students out onto campus to find examples of contested expression in the dorms.
by csk greener April 2, 2006
Get the contested expression mug.