[% setvar title Replace first match function (C<?...?>) with a flag to the match command. %]
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<a name='TITLE'></a><h1>TITLE</h1>
<p>Replace first match function (<code>?...?</code>) with a flag to the match command.</p>
<a name='VERSION'></a><h1>VERSION</h1>
<pre>  Maintainer: Stephen P. Potter &lt;<a href='mailto:spp@ds.net'>spp@ds.net</a>&gt;
  Date: 24 Aug 2000
  Mailing List: <a href='mailto:perl6-language@perl.org'>perl6-language@perl.org</a>
  Number: 156
  Version: 1
  Status: Developing</pre>
<a name='ABSTRACT'></a><h1>ABSTRACT</h1>
<p>The first match function should be removed from the language and its
functionality should be implemented via a flag to the standard match function.</p>
<a name='DESCRIPTION'></a><h1>DESCRIPTION</h1>
<p>The syntax of the first match function is a special case anomoly which causes
the parser to have to work harder.  Removing its special syntax would
simplify the language definition and make writing parsers easier.</p>
<a name='IMPLEMENTATION'></a><h1>IMPLEMENTATION</h1>
<p>It is recommended that the flag be <code>f</code>, which is a mneumonic for &quot;first&quot;.
Additionally, the code for the parser which checks for <code>?...?</code> should
be removed from the grammar.</p>
<a name='REFERENCES'></a><h1>REFERENCES</h1>
<p>perl6-language message
<code><a href='mailto:200008182343.JAA00690@indy05.csse.monash.edu.au'>200008182343.JAA00690@indy05.csse.monash.edu.au</a></code> by Damian Conway</p>
<p>RFC 135: Require explicit m on matches, even with ?? and // as delimiters.</p>
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