In this case, the ? is telling the * quantifier to match only the bare minimum required to satisfy the pattern. Normally, regex quantifiers (., *, ?, and +) match everything they can while still allowing the pattern to succeed. Jim Bauer <holdsworthfan@xxxxxx> wrote on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:03:21 -0600: >Try: >\<td.*?\> >The `[*|+|?]?' syntax may not be supported by your particular regex >flavor. If that's the case, you're looking for how to specify >"non-greedy quantifiers." >"Homme, James" <james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote on Mon, 8 Feb 2010 >10:10:31 -0500: > >>Hi, >>I want to strip everything just up to the first greater than sign, but this >>expression is going past it to the next greater than sign. How do I change it >>so that it does what I want? >> >>\<td.*\> >> >>Thanks. >> >>Jim >> >>Jim Homme, >>Usability Services, >>Phone: 412-544-1810 >>Skype: jim.homme >>Internal recipients, Read my accessibility >>blog<http://mysites.highmark.com/personal/lidikki/Blog/default.aspx> >> >> >>________________________________ >>This e-mail and any attachments to it are confidential and are intended >>solely for use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you >>have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and >>then delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, >>use, disclose, copy or distribute this e-mail without the author's prior >>permission. The views expressed in this e-mail message do not necessarily >>represent the views of Highmark Inc., its subsidiaries, or affiliates. > >__________ >View the list's information and change your settings at >//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind