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I find the need for this differentiation annoying. Referring to the class of languages is often useful, but I find most software engineers don’t have a basic un
by danpalmer 4y ago
I find the need for this differentiation annoying. Referring to the class of languages is often useful, but I find most software engineers don’t have a basic understanding (and mine is only basic!) of classes of language. I always have to clarify what I mean by regular expression in these discussions. It’s disappointing that the term has been borrowed by frequently Turing complete string processing libraries.
- bawolff 3y agoLanguages change. Meanings of words drift. Regex has been used this way since the mid-70s. That is a long time now. However, software regexes aren't turing complete. I think they are just context sensitive.
- danpalmer 3y agoI believe Perl regexes are Turing complete, although this is second hand info, I’ve never tried myself. Most are context sensitive though you’re right.