Scripting Guide - SAS

574 JSL Syntax Reference Appendix A
Character Pattern Functions
Returns
A pattern.
Argument
One or more patterns.
Pat Any("string")
Description
Constructs a pattern that matches a single character in the argument.
Returns
A pattern.
Argument
string a string.
Pat Arb()
Description
Constructs a pattern that matches an arbitrary string. It initially matches the null string. It then matches
one additional character each time the pattern matcher backs into it.
Returns
A pattern.
Argument
none
Example
p = "the beginning" + Pat Arb() >? stuffInTheMiddle + "the end";
Pat Match("in the beginning of the story, and not near the end, there are three
bears", p);
show(stuffInTheMiddle);
stuffInTheMiddle = " of the story, and not near "
Pat Arb No(pattern)
Description
Constructs a pattern that matches zero or more copies of pattern.
Returns
A pattern.
Argument
pattern a pattern to match against.
Example
adjectives = "large" | "medium" | "small" | "warm" | "cold" | "hot" | "sweet";
rc = Pat Match("I would like a medium hot, sweet tea please",
Pat Arbno(adjectives | Pat Any(", ")) >> adj +
("tea" | "coffee" | "milk"));
show(rc, adj);
adj = " medium hot, sweet "