Hi Jackie Not sure what do you mean, I did this: select regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 1) occur_1, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 2) occur_2, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 3) occur_3, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 4) occur_4, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 5) occur_5 from dual; O O O O O - - - - - A B C select regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 1) occur_1, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 2) occur_2, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 3) occur_3, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 4) occur_4, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 5) occur_5 from dual; O O O O O - - - - - A B C D E And I dont understand very well why * gives A, B and C whereas + gives expected output. This is how I read it, regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 1) says start searching from position 1 for first pattern which is non-numeric and no matter if there is any pattern occurence so A is printed regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 1) says start searching from position 1 for second pattern which is non-numeric and no matter if there is any pattern occurence. If I parse the line A is non-numeric therefore is a candidate but I am looking for the second occurence so I keep on searching, immediately see number 1 so the pattern is not matched so keep on searching, we now read B which is non-numeric, satisfies the pattern so it should be printed but it's not? 2014-12-16 22:42 GMT+01:00 Jackie Brock <J.Brock@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>: > > J Run it with various values where the three is – get the first > occurrence, then the second, then the third, then the fourth – you’ll > easily see what it’s doing. > > > > *From:* amonte [mailto:ax.mount@xxxxxxxxx] > *Sent:* Tuesday, December 16, 2014 2:30 PM > *To:* Jackie Brock > *Cc:* Oracle-L Group > *Subject:* Re: question about regexp_substr > > > > Hello Jackie > > I know + means > 1 and * > 0 occurence. But I dont see why they give > different results in my example. > > I understand that what query is asking with * is > > "find in the string any non-numeric character pattern, no matter if the > there is character or not in the third occurence". I dont see why B > satisfies such condition? > > > > Thanks in advance > > > > Alex > > > > 2014-12-16 22:23 GMT+01:00 Jackie Brock <J.Brock@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>: > > The plus sign indicates that it expects at least 1 digit (1 or more). The > * means 0 or more. > > > > *From:* oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto: > oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *amonte > *Sent:* Tuesday, December 16, 2014 2:07 PM > *To:* Oracle-L Group > *Subject:* question about regexp_substr > > > > Hi people > > I have some difficulty understanding applying an operator to the pattren > in regexp_substr. Not sure if anyone can help ? > > The question is, what is the difference between these two queries: > > select regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]+', 1, 3) from dual; > > R > - > C > > select regexp_substr('A1B2C3D4E', '[^0-9]*', 1, 3) from dual; > > R > - > B > > Why * and + gives different answers? > > Thanks in advance > > > > Alex >