String Modifiers

String Modifiers

Finally, pattern matching can be used to modify strings of text. One of the most common methods of modification is substitution. Substitution is performed using the format
```
s/[pattern_to_find]/[pattern_to_replace_with]/
```
Thus, for example, the line:
```
s/eric/selena/ 
```
would change the line
```
eric is my name 
```
to
```
selena is my name 
```
The substitution function is modified most commonly with the /i and the /g arguments. The /i argument specifies that matching should be done with case insensitivity and the /g specifies that the match should occur globally for the entire string of text rather than just for the first occurrence.

Thus, the line

s/eric/selena/gi

would change the line:

I am Eric, eric I am

I am selena, selena I am

without the /i, you would get
```
I am Eric, selena I am 
```
and without /g but with the /i, you would get
```
I am selena, eric I am 
```
There are many, many different kinds of matching operators, anchors, and string modifiers. If you want a more detailed explanation I recommend that you find a good reference source on Regular Expressions. Otherwise, the above discussion should explain how operators and anchors are commonly used in CGI applications.