FIND (or SEARCH WITHIN FILES) words XXXXX or YYY or ZZZZZZZZ

[no.cache]

I was surprised that the extensive HELP file doesn't specifically offer an example of this one, basic search.

If you want to find either XXXXX or YYY or ZZZZZZZZ . . . what, exactly, would you type in the box? --and will it work for both FIND and SEARCH WITHIN FILES?

Thanks!

Skye Girl

[s_reynisson]

See TP's help file under "Regular Expressions Examples" where you will find "Alternation Operator" explained, short but still ok. But if you're looking for an exclusive or by bolding your either I'm stumped.

[no.cache]

Well obviously I was there or I wouldn't be posting here. I am asking for an example using the samples I've given.

Skye

[no.cache]

Oh and . . .

The alternation operator (\|) matches either the expression to its left or the one to its right. It has a lower precedence of any other regular expression operator, so the surrounding RE's must be bracketed with \(...\) if only a part of them is to be matched.

is not an example, which is what I was specifically suggesting Textpad include since it is so basic. I know I have had to construct my own examples file because the paucity offered in the Help File are woefully insufficient. I can't tell you how many times I've tried to apply the Regular Expressions instructions in Textpad . . . and gotten error messages. Thank God for the forum!

Now could some kind soul type out the string for me? I want to find
XXXXX or YYY or ZZZZZZZZ
using both FIND and SEARCH WITHIN FILES.

Thank you.

Skye

[s_reynisson]

Find XXXXX|YYY|ZZZZZZZZ
I have used POSIX regular expression syntax, which can be selected from the Editor page of the Preferences dialog box.(Means you can skip the \ thingie) HTH

[no.cache]

Find XXXXX|YYY|ZZZZZZZZ
I have used POSIX regular expression syntax, which can be selected from the Editor page of the Preferences dialog box.(Means you can skip the \ thingie) HTH

And I don't use POSIX so I will ask again please: How/where do the "\ thingies" go for these three examples? Thank you.

Skye

[MudGuard]

And I don't use POSIX

Why?
Do you have any good reason for not using POSIX?

And apart from that, how difficult is it to combine

The alternation operator (\|) matches

with

Find XXXXX|YYY|ZZZZZZZZ
I have used POSIX regular expression syntax, which can be selected from the Editor page of the Preferences dialog box.(Means you can skip the \ thingie)

?

You yourself quote that the alternation is \| - s_reynissons says that he uses POSIX and thus does not need the \.
Now where in the example given by s_reynisson are | characters missing the \ character?

Btw, of which three examples are you talking? s_reynisson only gave one ...

[s_reynisson]

Thanks for clearing that one up MudGuard!

[no.cache]

I give up. I'll put in a request to Helios. And I don't use Posix because it's taken me long enough just to assemble the few examples for Regular Expressions I've been able to get working and the only way to use Posix is by permanently changing my preferences which I'm not going to do. No, don't respond to that. You obviously can't reply to a specific request for a simple example without bullying me on the one hand -or- giving me examples for something I never asked for on the other.

Skye[/code]

[ben_josephs]

These people ae trying to help you, although you may not realise that. And nobody's paying them to do it.

[s_reynisson]

I give up. I'll put in a request to Helios. And I don't use Posix because it's taken me long enough just to assemble the few examples for Regular Expressions I've been able to get working and the only way to use Posix is by permanently changing my preferences which I'm not going to do. No, don't respond to that. You obviously can't reply to a specific request for a simple example without bullying me on the one hand -or- giving me examples for something I never asked for on the other.

Skye[/code]

I have pointed this thread out in a PM to Helios. Hopefully they will deal with it as soon as possible.

[no.cache]

These people ae trying to help you, although you may not realise that. And nobody's paying them to do it.

No, these people are being argumentative, which is most definitely not helpful. So I've had, what, six? responses to this thread, and not a single one simply answers the question asked? Why even respond if you can't reply to the question asked? Did I ask anyone to show up here in this thread and respond to a different question than the one I actually asked? I didn't.

This is just ridiculous, uncalled for, and completely unnecessary. No one is blaming those who have replied for not knowing the answer . . . but please for heaven's sake don't answer a question I never asked. I don't know how to explain the sample I've provided more clearly. This isn't rocket science. I'm looking for the regular expression . . . oh forget it.

Skye

[Bob Hansen]

Answers were povided many post ago, originally for POSIX, and then a non-POSIX solution when that need was identified.

POSIX (by s_reynisson)
Find XXXXX|YYY|ZZZZZZZZ

non-POSIX ( by MudGuard):
Find XXXXX\|YYY\|ZZZZZZZZ

A "thank you" to them for the solutions would go a long way while the merits of POSIX continue. I personally did not find either of them argumentative, only trying to be informative and helpful.