version 1.1, 2012/02/21 23:05:51
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version 1.1.1.2, 2012/02/21 23:50:25
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Line 49 complexity in Perl regular expressions, I couldn't do
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Line 49 complexity in Perl regular expressions, I couldn't do
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first pass through the pattern is helpful for other reasons. |
first pass through the pattern is helpful for other reasons. |
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Support for 16-bit data strings |
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------------------------------- |
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From release 8.30, PCRE supports 16-bit as well as 8-bit data strings, by being |
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compilable in either 8-bit or 16-bit modes, or both. Thus, two different |
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libraries can be created. In the description that follows, the word "short" is |
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used for a 16-bit data quantity, and the word "unit" is used for a quantity |
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that is a byte in 8-bit mode and a short in 16-bit mode. However, so as not to |
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over-complicate the text, the names of PCRE functions are given in 8-bit form |
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only. |
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Computing the memory requirement: how it was |
Computing the memory requirement: how it was |
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Line 125 any more.
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Line 137 any more.
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Format of compiled patterns |
Format of compiled patterns |
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The compiled form of a pattern is a vector of bytes, containing items of | The compiled form of a pattern is a vector of units (bytes in 8-bit mode, or |
variable length. The first byte in an item is an opcode, and the length of the | shorts in 16-bit mode), containing items of variable length. The first unit in |
item is either implicit in the opcode or contained in the data bytes that | an item contains an opcode, and the length of the item is either implicit in |
follow it. | the opcode or contained in the data that follows it. |
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In many cases below LINK_SIZE data values are specified for offsets within the | In many cases listed below, LINK_SIZE data values are specified for offsets |
compiled pattern. The default value for LINK_SIZE is 2, but PCRE can be | within the compiled pattern. LINK_SIZE always specifies a number of bytes. The |
compiled to use 3-byte or 4-byte values for these offsets (impairing the | default value for LINK_SIZE is 2, but PCRE can be compiled to use 3-byte or |
performance). This is necessary only when patterns whose compiled length is | 4-byte values for these offsets, although this impairs the performance. (3-byte |
greater than 64K are going to be processed. In this description, we assume the | LINK_SIZE values are available only in 8-bit mode.) Specifing a LINK_SIZE |
"normal" compilation options. Data values that are counts (e.g. for | larger than 2 is necessary only when patterns whose compiled length is greater |
quantifiers) are always just two bytes long. | than 64K are going to be processed. In this description, we assume the "normal" |
| compilation options. Data values that are counts (e.g. for quantifiers) are |
| always just two bytes long (one short in 16-bit mode). |
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Opcodes with no following data |
Opcodes with no following data |
------------------------------ |
------------------------------ |
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These items are all just one byte long | These items are all just one unit long |
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OP_END end of pattern |
OP_END end of pattern |
OP_ANY match any one character other than newline |
OP_ANY match any one character other than newline |
Line 182 Backtracking control verbs with (optional) data
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Line 196 Backtracking control verbs with (optional) data
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(*THEN) without an argument generates the opcode OP_THEN and no following data. |
(*THEN) without an argument generates the opcode OP_THEN and no following data. |
OP_MARK is followed by the mark name, preceded by a one-byte length, and | OP_MARK is followed by the mark name, preceded by a one-unit length, and |
followed by a binary zero. For (*PRUNE), (*SKIP), and (*THEN) with arguments, |
followed by a binary zero. For (*PRUNE), (*SKIP), and (*THEN) with arguments, |
the opcodes OP_PRUNE_ARG, OP_SKIP_ARG, and OP_THEN_ARG are used, with the name |
the opcodes OP_PRUNE_ARG, OP_SKIP_ARG, and OP_THEN_ARG are used, with the name |
following in the same format. |
following in the same format. |
Line 192 Matching literal characters
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Line 206 Matching literal characters
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The OP_CHAR opcode is followed by a single character that is to be matched |
The OP_CHAR opcode is followed by a single character that is to be matched |
casefully. For caseless matching, OP_CHARI is used. In UTF-8 mode, the | casefully. For caseless matching, OP_CHARI is used. In UTF-8 or UTF-16 modes, |
character may be more than one byte long. (Earlier versions of PCRE used | the character may be more than one unit long. |
multi-character strings, but this was changed to allow some new features to be | |
added.) | |
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Repeating single characters |
Repeating single characters |
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The common repeats (*, +, ?) when applied to a single character use the | The common repeats (*, +, ?), when applied to a single character, use the |
following opcodes, which come in caseful and caseless versions: |
following opcodes, which come in caseful and caseless versions: |
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Caseful Caseless |
Caseful Caseless |
Line 215 following opcodes, which come in caseful and caseless
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Line 227 following opcodes, which come in caseful and caseless
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OP_MINQUERY OP_MINQUERYI |
OP_MINQUERY OP_MINQUERYI |
OP_POSQUERY OP_POSQUERYI |
OP_POSQUERY OP_POSQUERYI |
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In ASCII mode, these are two-byte items; in UTF-8 mode, the length is variable. | Each opcode is followed by the character that is to be repeated. In ASCII mode, |
Those with "MIN" in their name are the minimizing versions. Those with "POS" in | these are two-unit items; in UTF-8 or UTF-16 modes, the length is variable. |
their names are possessive versions. Each is followed by the character that is | Those with "MIN" in their names are the minimizing versions. Those with "POS" |
to be repeated. Other repeats make use of these opcodes: | in their names are possessive versions. Other repeats make use of these |
| opcodes: |
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Caseful Caseless |
Caseful Caseless |
OP_UPTO OP_UPTOI |
OP_UPTO OP_UPTOI |
Line 226 to be repeated. Other repeats make use of these opcode
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Line 239 to be repeated. Other repeats make use of these opcode
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OP_POSUPTO OP_POSUPTOI |
OP_POSUPTO OP_POSUPTOI |
OP_EXACT OP_EXACTI |
OP_EXACT OP_EXACTI |
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Each of these is followed by a two-byte count (most significant first) and the | Each of these is followed by a two-byte (one short) count (most significant |
repeated character. OP_UPTO matches from 0 to the given number. A repeat with a | byte first in 8-bit mode) and then the repeated character. OP_UPTO matches from |
non-zero minimum and a fixed maximum is coded as an OP_EXACT followed by an | 0 to the given number. A repeat with a non-zero minimum and a fixed maximum is |
OP_UPTO (or OP_MINUPTO or OPT_POSUPTO). | coded as an OP_EXACT followed by an OP_UPTO (or OP_MINUPTO or OPT_POSUPTO). |
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Repeating character types |
Repeating character types |
Line 237 Repeating character types
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Line 250 Repeating character types
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Repeats of things like \d are done exactly as for single characters, except |
Repeats of things like \d are done exactly as for single characters, except |
that instead of a character, the opcode for the type is stored in the data |
that instead of a character, the opcode for the type is stored in the data |
byte. The opcodes are: | unit. The opcodes are: |
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OP_TYPESTAR |
OP_TYPESTAR |
OP_TYPEMINSTAR |
OP_TYPEMINSTAR |
Line 259 Match by Unicode property
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Line 272 Match by Unicode property
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OP_PROP and OP_NOTPROP are used for positive and negative matches of a |
OP_PROP and OP_NOTPROP are used for positive and negative matches of a |
character by testing its Unicode property (the \p and \P escape sequences). |
character by testing its Unicode property (the \p and \P escape sequences). |
Each is followed by two bytes that encode the desired property as a type and a | Each is followed by two units that encode the desired property as a type and a |
value. |
value. |
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Repeats of these items use the OP_TYPESTAR etc. set of opcodes, followed by | Repeats of these items use the OP_TYPESTAR etc. set of opcodes, followed by |
three bytes: OP_PROP or OP_NOTPROP and then the desired property type and | three units: OP_PROP or OP_NOTPROP, and then the desired property type and |
value. |
value. |
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Character classes |
Character classes |
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If there is only one character, OP_CHAR or OP_CHARI is used for a positive | If there is only one character in the class, OP_CHAR or OP_CHARI is used for a |
class, and OP_NOT or OP_NOTI for a negative one (that is, for something like | positive class, and OP_NOT or OP_NOTI for a negative one (that is, for |
[^a]). However, in UTF-8 mode, the use of OP_NOT[I] applies only to characters | something like [^a]). However, OP_NOT[I] can be used only with single-unit |
with values < 128, because OP_NOT[I] is confined to single bytes. | characters, so in UTF-8 (UTF-16) mode, the use of OP_NOT[I] applies only to |
| characters whose code points are no greater than 127 (0xffff). |
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Another set of 13 repeating opcodes (called OP_NOTSTAR etc.) are used for a | Another set of 13 repeating opcodes (called OP_NOTSTAR etc.) are used for |
repeated, negated, single-character class. The normal single-character opcodes | repeated, negated, single-character classes. The normal single-character |
(OP_STAR, etc.) are used for a repeated positive single-character class. | opcodes (OP_STAR, etc.) are used for repeated positive single-character |
| classes. |
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When there is more than one character in a class and all the characters are |
When there is more than one character in a class and all the characters are |
less than 256, OP_CLASS is used for a positive class, and OP_NCLASS for a |
less than 256, OP_CLASS is used for a positive class, and OP_NCLASS for a |
negative one. In either case, the opcode is followed by a 32-byte bit map | negative one. In either case, the opcode is followed by a 32-byte (16-short) |
containing a 1 bit for every character that is acceptable. The bits are counted | bit map containing a 1 bit for every character that is acceptable. The bits are |
from the least significant end of each byte. In caseless mode, bits for both | counted from the least significant end of each unit. In caseless mode, bits for |
cases are set. | both cases are set. |
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The reason for having both OP_CLASS and OP_NCLASS is so that, in UTF-8 mode, | The reason for having both OP_CLASS and OP_NCLASS is so that, in UTF-8/16 mode, |
subject characters with values greater than 256 can be handled correctly. For | subject characters with values greater than 255 can be handled correctly. For |
OP_CLASS they do not match, whereas for OP_NCLASS they do. |
OP_CLASS they do not match, whereas for OP_NCLASS they do. |
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For classes containing characters with values > 255, OP_XCLASS is used. It | For classes containing characters with values greater than 255, OP_XCLASS is |
optionally uses a bit map (if any characters lie within it), followed by a list | used. It optionally uses a bit map (if any characters lie within it), followed |
of pairs (for a range) and single characters. In caseless mode, both cases are | by a list of pairs (for a range) and single characters. In caseless mode, both |
explicitly listed. There is a flag character than indicates whether it is a | cases are explicitly listed. There is a flag character than indicates whether |
positive or a negative class. | it is a positive or a negative class. |
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Back references |
Back references |
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OP_REF (caseful) or OP_REFI (caseless) is followed by two bytes containing the | OP_REF (caseful) or OP_REFI (caseless) is followed by two bytes (one short) |
reference number. | containing the reference number. |
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Repeating character classes and back references |
Repeating character classes and back references |
Line 321 if it is one of
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Line 336 if it is one of
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OP_CRRANGE |
OP_CRRANGE |
OP_CRMINRANGE |
OP_CRMINRANGE |
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All but the last two are just single-byte items. The others are followed by | All but the last two are just single-unit items. The others are followed by |
four bytes of data, comprising the minimum and maximum repeat counts. There are | four bytes (two shorts) of data, comprising the minimum and maximum repeat |
no special possessive opcodes for these repeats; a possessive repeat is | counts. There are no special possessive opcodes for these repeats; a possessive |
compiled into an atomic group. | repeat is compiled into an atomic group. |
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Brackets and alternation |
Brackets and alternation |
Line 334 A pair of non-capturing (round) brackets is wrapped ro
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Line 349 A pair of non-capturing (round) brackets is wrapped ro
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compile time, so alternation always happens in the context of brackets. |
compile time, so alternation always happens in the context of brackets. |
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[Note for North Americans: "bracket" to some English speakers, including |
[Note for North Americans: "bracket" to some English speakers, including |
myself, can be round, square, curly, or pointy. Hence this usage.] | myself, can be round, square, curly, or pointy. Hence this usage rather than |
| "parentheses".] |
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Non-capturing brackets use the opcode OP_BRA. Originally PCRE was limited to 99 |
Non-capturing brackets use the opcode OP_BRA. Originally PCRE was limited to 99 |
capturing brackets and it used a different opcode for each one. From release |
capturing brackets and it used a different opcode for each one. From release |
Line 346 A bracket opcode is followed by LINK_SIZE bytes which
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Line 362 A bracket opcode is followed by LINK_SIZE bytes which
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next alternative OP_ALT or, if there aren't any branches, to the matching |
next alternative OP_ALT or, if there aren't any branches, to the matching |
OP_KET opcode. Each OP_ALT is followed by LINK_SIZE bytes giving the offset to |
OP_KET opcode. Each OP_ALT is followed by LINK_SIZE bytes giving the offset to |
the next one, or to the OP_KET opcode. For capturing brackets, the bracket |
the next one, or to the OP_KET opcode. For capturing brackets, the bracket |
number immediately follows the offset, always as a 2-byte item. | number immediately follows the offset, always as a 2-byte (one short) item. |
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OP_KET is used for subpatterns that do not repeat indefinitely, while | OP_KET is used for subpatterns that do not repeat indefinitely, and |
OP_KETRMIN and OP_KETRMAX are used for indefinite repetitions, minimally or |
OP_KETRMIN and OP_KETRMAX are used for indefinite repetitions, minimally or |
maximally respectively (see below for possessive repetitions). All three are |
maximally respectively (see below for possessive repetitions). All three are |
followed by LINK_SIZE bytes giving (as a positive number) the offset back to |
followed by LINK_SIZE bytes giving (as a positive number) the offset back to |
Line 356 the matching bracket opcode.
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Line 372 the matching bracket opcode.
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If a subpattern is quantified such that it is permitted to match zero times, it |
If a subpattern is quantified such that it is permitted to match zero times, it |
is preceded by one of OP_BRAZERO, OP_BRAMINZERO, or OP_SKIPZERO. These are |
is preceded by one of OP_BRAZERO, OP_BRAMINZERO, or OP_SKIPZERO. These are |
single-byte opcodes that tell the matcher that skipping the following | single-unit opcodes that tell the matcher that skipping the following |
subpattern entirely is a valid branch. In the case of the first two, not |
subpattern entirely is a valid branch. In the case of the first two, not |
skipping the pattern is also valid (greedy and non-greedy). The third is used |
skipping the pattern is also valid (greedy and non-greedy). The third is used |
when a pattern has the quantifier {0,0}. It cannot be entirely discarded, |
when a pattern has the quantifier {0,0}. It cannot be entirely discarded, |
Line 395 Assertions
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Line 411 Assertions
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Forward assertions are just like other subpatterns, but starting with one of |
Forward assertions are just like other subpatterns, but starting with one of |
the opcodes OP_ASSERT or OP_ASSERT_NOT. Backward assertions use the opcodes |
the opcodes OP_ASSERT or OP_ASSERT_NOT. Backward assertions use the opcodes |
OP_ASSERTBACK and OP_ASSERTBACK_NOT, and the first opcode inside the assertion |
OP_ASSERTBACK and OP_ASSERTBACK_NOT, and the first opcode inside the assertion |
is OP_REVERSE, followed by a two byte count of the number of characters to move | is OP_REVERSE, followed by a two byte (one short) count of the number of |
back the pointer in the subject string. When operating in UTF-8 mode, the count | characters to move back the pointer in the subject string. In ASCII mode, the |
is a character count rather than a byte count. A separate count is present in | count is a number of units, but in UTF-8/16 mode each character may occupy more |
each alternative of a lookbehind assertion, allowing them to have different | than one unit. A separate count is present in each alternative of a lookbehind |
fixed lengths. | assertion, allowing them to have different fixed lengths. |
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Once-only (atomic) subpatterns |
Once-only (atomic) subpatterns |
Line 416 Conditional subpatterns
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Line 432 Conditional subpatterns
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These are like other subpatterns, but they start with the opcode OP_COND, or |
These are like other subpatterns, but they start with the opcode OP_COND, or |
OP_SCOND for one that might match an empty string in an unbounded repeat. If |
OP_SCOND for one that might match an empty string in an unbounded repeat. If |
the condition is a back reference, this is stored at the start of the |
the condition is a back reference, this is stored at the start of the |
subpattern using the opcode OP_CREF followed by two bytes containing the | subpattern using the opcode OP_CREF followed by two bytes (one short) |
reference number. OP_NCREF is used instead if the reference was generated by | containing the reference number. OP_NCREF is used instead if the reference was |
name (so that the runtime code knows to check for duplicate names). | generated by name (so that the runtime code knows to check for duplicate |
| names). |
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If the condition is "in recursion" (coded as "(?(R)"), or "in recursion of |
If the condition is "in recursion" (coded as "(?(R)"), or "in recursion of |
group x" (coded as "(?(Rx)"), the group number is stored at the start of the |
group x" (coded as "(?(Rx)"), the group number is stored at the start of the |
subpattern using the opcode OP_RREF or OP_NRREF (cf OP_NCREF), and a value of |
subpattern using the opcode OP_RREF or OP_NRREF (cf OP_NCREF), and a value of |
zero for "the whole pattern". For a DEFINE condition, just the single byte | zero for "the whole pattern". For a DEFINE condition, just the single unit |
OP_DEF is used (it has no associated data). Otherwise, a conditional subpattern |
OP_DEF is used (it has no associated data). Otherwise, a conditional subpattern |
always starts with one of the assertions. |
always starts with one of the assertions. |
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Line 442 are not strictly a recursion.
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Line 459 are not strictly a recursion.
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Callout |
Callout |
------- |
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OP_CALLOUT is followed by one byte of data that holds a callout number in the | OP_CALLOUT is followed by one unit of data that holds a callout number in the |
range 0 to 254 for manual callouts, or 255 for an automatic callout. In both |
range 0 to 254 for manual callouts, or 255 for an automatic callout. In both |
cases there follows a two-byte value giving the offset in the pattern to the | cases there follows a two-byte (one short) value giving the offset in the |
start of the following item, and another two-byte item giving the length of the | pattern to the start of the following item, and another two-byte (one short) |
next item. | item giving the length of the next item. |
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Philip Hazel |
Philip Hazel |
October 2011 | December 2011 |