Eval functions: regexp_test() and regexp_match() matching part of the string

[plepe]

I noticed that the eval functions regexp_test() and regexp_match() needs a pattern which matches the whole input, and in case you just want to match a part of the input you have to add ".*" in the beginning and the end. This is not as I expected it (and I guess most other people would expect it). In fact it took me some time testing patterns and a final email to one of the developers to solve it.

Anyway. I think this doesn't even really make sense, especially for the regexp_match() function, which returns the matched substring as 0th element of the array (which will always be the whole string).

Also, it contradicts the regexp condition selector: node[shop=~/market/] matches "supermarket" as well as "marketplace".

I would suggest to change regexp_test() and regexp_match() to match substring of the input string. You can always add ^ and $ to match the whole string. If this is not possible, maybe it would be possible to add a flag and improve documentation?

[Don-vip]

That's how regexp work in Java. The "bible" on the subject is the javadoc of ​Pattern.
We won't change this behaviour, you have stated in your bug reports all the solutions needed to overcome the potential issues :)

If you think some points need to be clarified on the wiki, feel free to improve the documentation. It's a wiki and we value very high the input of our community :)

[plepe]

Lame.

How come, the regexp condition selector in JOSM works differently? Why don't you need to add .* there? Why does it make sense to return the matched substring as 0th element of the array (because it will always be the whole input string)?