Using * works but using + doesn't work in matching MHI:;

[poolboi]

hey guys,

another question for thoughts,

i'm matching this:

MHI:;

when i use
[CODE=perl]
if($data1 =~ /^(\s\D\D\D:.+\; )/)
[/CODE]

it doesn't match

but when i use
[CODE=perl]
if($data1 =~ /^(\s\D\D\D:.+\; )/)
[/CODE]

it matches

so why is it although i know "*" matches 0 or more times and "+" matches 1 or more times

[nithinpes]

You have posted this in a hurry! (both RE you posted are same). Anyway, In the string:

MHI:;

The colon(:) is immediately followed by semi-colon(;)
The RE in:
[CODE=perl]
if($data1 =~ /^(\s\D\D\D:.+\; )/)
[/CODE]
will try to match atleast one character between ':' and ';' , that's why it fails and the RE in
[CODE=perl]
if($data1 =~ /^(\s\D\D\D:.*\; )/)
[/CODE]
will work since it stands for 0 or more characters

[poolboi]

alright.thanks once again