Match Data


The Match Data
==============

   XEmacs keeps track of the positions of the start and end of segments
of text found during a regular expression search.  This means, for
example, that you can search for a complex pattern, such as a date in
an Rmail message, and then extract parts of the match under control of
the pattern.

   Because the match data normally describe the most recent search only,
you must be careful not to do another search inadvertently between the
search you wish to refer back to and the use of the match data.  If you
can't avoid another intervening search, you must save and restore the
match data around it, to prevent it from being overwritten.

Simple Match Data: Accessing single items of match data, such as where a particular subexpression started.
Replacing Match: Replacing a substring that was matched.
Entire Match Data: Accessing the entire match data at once, as a list.
Saving Match Data: Saving and restoring the match data.

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