[Python-ideas] What about regexp string litterals : m".*" ?

[Simon D.]

* Chris Angelico <rosuav at gmail.com> [2017-03-28 16:37:16 +1100]:

> But I think a better solution will be for regex literals to be
> syntax-highlighted differently. If they're a truly-supported syntactic
> feature, they can be made visually different in your editor, making
> the distinction blatantly obvious.
>
> That said, though, I'm -1 on this. Currently, every prefix letter has
> its own meaning, and broadly speaking, combining them combines their
> meanings. An re"..." literal should be a raw "e-string", whatever that
> is, so I would expect that e"..." is the same kind of thing but with
> different backslash handling.

First, I would like to state that the "module-static" version of regexp
functions, avoiding the compile step, are a great idea.
(e.g. : mo = re.search(r'.k', mystring) )
The str integrated one also, but maybe confusing, which regexp lib is
used ? (must be the default one).

Then, re"" being two letters looks like a real problem. Lets pick one
amongs the 22 remaining free alphabet letters. What about :
- g"", x"" (like in regex) ?
- m"" (like shawn for Perl, meaming Match ?)
- q"" (for Query ?)
- k"" (in memory of Stephen Cole Kleene ?
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_expression)
- /"" (to be half the way toward /regexp/ syntax)
- ~"" ?"" (other symbols, I avoid regexp-starting symbols, would be ugly
  in real usage)

And what about an approach with flag firsts ? (or where to put them ?) :
i"" (regexp with ignorecase flag on)
AILMSX"" (regexp with all flags on)

It would consume a lot of letters, but would use it for a good reason
:-)

Personnally, I think a JavaScript-like syntaxe would be great, and I
feel it as asking too much… :
- it would naturally be highlihted differently ;
- it would not be the first (happy) similarity
  (https://hackernoon.com/javascript-vs-python-in-2017-d31efbb641b4#.ky9it5hph)
- its a working integration, including flag matters.

--
Simon Descarpentries
+336 769 702 53
http://s.d12s.fr