match relational operator

The match relational operator tests a string and determines if it matches a predefined pattern of alphabetical, numeric, wildcard, or literal characters.

Syntax

str.exp1 match str.exp2

Synonym(s)

matches

Parameter(s)

`str.exp1`	String to test.
`str.exp2`	A composite of literals and/or match operators, appended to length specifications. String operators are:
	`ma`	Accepts only `m` alphabetical characters. No spaces allowed
	`mn`	Accepts only `m` numeric characters. (+,- and . are not considered numeric.)
	`mx`	Accepts `m` wildcards (any character).
	`literal`	Accepts any literal string enclosed in single quotation marks.

When combinations of match strings and literals are present, the entire match string must be enclosed in double quotation marks. The m parameter, which specifies the length of the match operator string, if 0 (zero) will match 0 or more of the specified match operator. This means that the null string will match any 0 length pattern match.

Description

The match operator compares a string value to a predefined pattern and evaluates to 1 (true) or 0 (false).

The iconv() function, using the p (pattern match) processing code, provides similar functionality to the match operator. The difference is that iconv() can perform multiple pattern matches at once, where the match requires multiple statements.

Note: The results of a nondeterministic match operator are undefined and should be avoided. For instance, if response matches ’0na’.

Example(s)

This statement takes the then path if the answer is 3 numerics.

if answer matches "3n" then print "ok"

This checks that the value of the variable soc.sec.num has the pattern of 3 numerics,- , 2 numerics,- , and 4 numerics.

if soc.sec.num matches "3n’-’2n’-’4n" then...

The then clause is taken if response is not any number of numerics.

if not(response matches "0n") then...

This accepts any length of numerics, a comma, any length of numerics, a comma, and any length of numerics.

if response = "0n’,’0n’,’0n" then...