I find regular expressions intensely annoying. I come across situations where they are a perfect fit, but, as I've never got around to learning the syntax I spe

I find regular expressions intensely annoying. I come across situations where they are a perfect fit, but, as I've never got around to learning the syntax I spend ages looking for a perfect, or sometimes not so perfect, answer on SO that gives me the arrangement. More often than not, in order to tweak the answer to make it fit I find myself in the position of having to learn the syntax in order to do so. Catch 22. It seems there are no shortcuts and you can't practice cut and paste. Note to self. Learn the syntax.