CODEWITHSUNDEEP
algorithmpattern-matching
Jack James
Jack James

Reputation: 5372

Phrasal template detection

Is there an easy way to detect a phrasal template in a block of text?

For example, given the text:

Not sure how to approach this. It's very difficult, and by difficult I mean I don't know how to do it. But maybe it's obvious for someone else?

And the template:

[x], and by [x] I mean [Y]

Would result in a match.

I would assume that regex of some description would be the best bet, although I don't know if such a thing is possible with regex.

Bonus: what would be the most computationally efficient approach, if trying to match many templates in succession?

Edit: Just to clarify, I just need an exact match. For example the above template would not have to match the following:

apple, and by apple I do mean pear

Upvotes: 1

Views: 131

Answers (1)

mishadoff
mishadoff

Reputation: 10789

If you need matching by regexp you can use this one:

(\w+), and by \1 I mean \w+

apple, and by apple I mean pineapple -> match
apple, and by apple I do mean pear -> not match

(\w+) - matches 1 word and save it to first group
\1 - word from first group
\w+ - match second word

Play with regexps more on http://regexpal.com/

But if you really need matching with lot of patterns you need define all patterns that you need and build own finite state machine

Upvotes: 1

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