(definition)
Definition: A positive (negative) pattern element is a "partial wild card" presented as a subset of the alphabet Σ, with the symbols in the subset specifying which symbols of Σ are matched (mismatched) by the pattern element.
Note: From Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, page 13-17, Copyright © 1999 by CRC Press LLC. Appearing in the Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Copyright © 2000 CRC Press LLC.
Author: CRC-A
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Wed Feb 4 11:02:22 2009.
Cite this as:
Algorithms and Theory of Computation Handbook, CRC Press LLC, 1999, "pattern element", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.itl.nist.gov/div897/sqg/dads/HTML/patternelmnt.html