In programming, a set of symbols used to search for occurrences of text or to search and replace text. The simplest regular expressions are DOS/Windows wildcards; for example, *.html refers to all file names with HTML extensions. However, regular expression functions are available in many programming languages that allow for complex pattern matching and text manipulation. For example, replacing specific text within a sentence when the sentence begins with a certain word can be performed with a regular expression. See expression.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Comcast's Web limits: Saving bandwidth or stifling innovation?
- The first computer I ever bought had a whopping six-gigabyte hard drive inside - far more storage capacity than anyone might have ever dreamed of using some ten years ago. Back then, no one was really downloading music or uploading digital photos, let alone streaming video or placing VoIP phone...
- Blog posts 2008-08-28
- Windows 7 pricing thoughts - Is Windows too expensive?
- Windows 7 pricing thoughts - Is Windows too expensive?It is an apt comparison>Your Ubunutu/Vista comparison doesn't pass the common sense test. Think about what you can get with Ubuntu-- Compiz Fusion for eye candy, drive encryption, MythTV DVR app, OpenOffice.org, ect. You have to get Ultimate Windows to get all...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- Why does Safari stink?
- Why does Safari stink?Safari on iPhone is even worseSafari on a Mac should work at least as well as Firefox. but on the iPhone it crashes regularly or locks up the iPhone. And it appears Apple's licensing is designed to preclude any competition:"Apple's software requirements for the device are too...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- Is probiotics a scam?
- Is probiotics a scam?Is probiotics a scam?Probiotics are not a scam but you do have to know what you are looking for. I was taking a digestive enzyme which had several probiotics in it including acidophilus. It worked fine for me. Will I recommend them to everyone? No...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-28
- It must be a rough day in Cupertino
- They just keep coming, one negative headline after another after another. At least that's how it must feel today over at Apple. In the last 24 hours or so, there have been at least four separate events that have put the company in a negative light. The widespread problems with...
- Blog posts 2008-08-27
- Can you trust kids with a Kindle?
- Can you trust kids with a Kindle?Can you trust kids with a Kindle?I agree with you for the most part. An electronic book or ereader would be good for looking up information to reference. The drawback I see is the price tag of the kindle, and if someone...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- Identity theft for the hip blogger on-the-go?
- Identity theft for the hip blogger on-the-go?ewwwTotally insane. We're having enough problems with REGULAR identity theft, and everyone knows IM messages aren't secure, look at that congressman who got his page fetish exposed in national news. No thanks, I'll stick with a standard spreadsheet and trustedid.
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- The enterprise: All fun and 'serious games'?
- The enterprise: All fun and 'serious games'?Some I can see, some I can'tI can see military simulations and education for young people, but I really can't see much happening beyond that. It's a bit of a stretch to use games in a regular business.
- Discussion threads 2008-08-27
- Live Webcast: The Power of Collaboration
- Today's fast-moving business climate requires everything to happen in real-time. Add to that the fact that companies of all sizes now have people spread out over increasingly greater distances and it's easy to understand the challenges for everything from regular meetings and creative development to sales and training. ...
- Webcasts 2008-08-27
- BlueAnt M1 Stereo Bluetooth Speaker
- Most Bluetooth speakers we see here at CNET are of the speakerphone variety, which you can pair up with a phone to make and receive calls. Since the rise of stereo Bluetooth, however, there are a few companies that make stereo Bluetooth speakers without the ability to handle phone calls....
- Product reviews 2008-08-26
- AT&T: International iPhone surfing plans start at $120
- If you have an iPhone and are traveling abroad, AT&T is now offering new data plans that should save some money over regular pay-per-use roaming charges. Roughly, a 100 megabyte plan will run $120 per month while a 200-megabyte plan will cost $200. That, of course, is on top of...
- Blog posts 2008-08-26
- Microsoft, eat your own dog food
- Microsoft, eat your own dog foodReally?"Using hidden aspects of Windows to advantage Microsoft's own applications has been disallowed and behavioral remedies including disclosure demanded."I can't find these in the DOJ settlement, please help: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f9400/9495.htmWe can of course look to the EU which did demand documentation of a small subset of...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-26
- This week's rants
- This week's rantsYou've got it.I never tire of Robin Harris telling the world that MS has lost all their data...a classic. Even when he admits other filesystems are worse. Why then MS? Well they are the biggest and deserve to be blamed...so there..pouted Robin in reply to that question. ...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-23
- China cuts off iTunes, likely over 'Songs of Tibet'
- China is blocking iTunes, apparently over the album "Songs for Tibet," a benefit for The Art of Peace Foundation. The album features songs by Sting, Alanis Morissette, Garbage and others, and a 15-minute talk by the Dalai Lama. In an AP story, Michael Wohl, executive...
- Blog posts 2008-08-22
- 2012 Olympics: Give Us Webcams On the Wall
- The organizers of the Olympics really blew it this time. Not showing the unbelievable comeback of Michael Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly race, which he won by one-hundredth of a second, is evidence of cowardice. And a total lack of commercial savvy, in the digital age. Can...
- Blog posts 2008-08-22
- Advanced Task-and StartUp-Manager (zip)
- Advanced Task- and StartUp Manager is a program that focuses on keeping your computer secure and helping you find/disable spyware rapidly. Its a Windows startup, schedule, service and task manager that accelerates Windows startup, ensures that the operating system is more stable and allows you to run various tasks with...
- Software downloads 2008-08-22
- Dell Latitude E6400 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, DDR2 SDRAM 2GB, GB)
- If you have a company laptop, chances are it's either a Lenovo ThinkPad or a Dell Latitude--both brands are a common sight in cubicles and are capable performers for medium-to-large businesses. (Last year, Dell launched its Vostro line to cater to the smallest of small businesses. Vosto laptops feature essentially...
- Product reviews 2008-08-21
- iTunes Unlimited: music subscription rumor returns
- iTunes Unlimited: music subscription rumor returnsI just don't understandwhy Apple doesn't offer a subscription service. They already have the DRM and authentication services in place. It would cost them very little.But I guess this is Apple. They tell you how you will use their products that you...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-21
- Reader Poll: Which mouse should I choose?
- Reader Poll: Which mouse should I choose?RE: Reader Poll: Which mouse should I choose?Intellimouse Explorer 2.0A Optical USBalso now a defunct MS product. I've worn out the plastic coating on two so far and have enough spares to rebuild one when it breaks. Best mouse ever. The new ones are...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-21
- Life without the Internet: Zapped off the grid
- In my last article I described what it feels like to have your house struck by lightning. Luckily there were no injuries or structural damage thanks for your kind words in the comments, but our gadgets and other electronics inside the house weren't so lucky. This is their tale. ...
- Blog posts 2008-08-20
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Which solar technology will survive?
-
At the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, Todd Glass of Heller Ehrman moderates a discussion, among tech execs, on the various solar technologies making a difference in the green movement.
- Watch the video >>
- Access the latest Intel and industry best practices
-
Designed specifically to address the concerns of senior IT managers at organizations with more than 100 employees, the Intel Premier IT Professional Program provides best practices via local and e-Seminars and a members-only Web site.
- View the Intel Premier IT Professional web-site tour >>
-
-
Tasty Baking’s new LEED factory
0:57
Tasty Baking CIO: Brendan O’Malley
-
Balancing act: innovation vs. reliability
1:28
Facebook VP of technical operations: Jonathan Heiliger
-
Securing data at E-Loan
1:47
E-Loan CIO: Jay Shah
-
When crops are scarce
1:47
Del Monte Foods CIO: Marc Brown
- View all CIO Vision Series Videos »
