Motivation tests, API updates, and text

Author: milseman

Documentation/Evolution/RegexSyntax.md

@@ -2,27 +2,38 @@
 Hello, we want to issue an update to [Regular Expression Literals](https://forums.swift.org/t/pitch-regular-expression-literals/52820) and prepare for a formal proposal. The great delimiter deliberation continues to unfold, so in the meantime, we have a significant amount of surface area to present for review/feedback: the syntax _inside_ a regex literal. Additionally, this is the syntax accepted from a string used for run-time regex construction, so we're devoting an entire pitch/proposal to the topic of _regex syntax_, distinct from the result builder DSL or the choice of delimiters for literals. 
 -->
 
-# Regex Syntax
+# Run-time Regex Construction
 
-- Authors: Hamish Knight, Michael Ilseman
+- Authors: [Hamish Knight](https://github.com/hamishknight), [Michael Ilseman](https://github.com/milseman)
 
 ## Introduction
 
-A regex declares a string processing algorithm using syntax familiar across a variety of languages and tools throughout programming history. Regexes can be created from a string at run time or from a literal at compile time. The contents of that run-time string, or the contents in-between the compile-time literal's delimiters, uses regex syntax. We present a detailed and comprehensive treatment of regex syntax.
-
-This is part of a larger effort in supporting regex literals, which in turn is part of a larger effort towards better string processing using regex. See [Pitch and Proposal Status](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing/issues/107), which tracks each relevant piece. This proposal regards _syntactic_ support, and does not necessarily mean that everything that can be written will be supported by Swift's runtime engine in the initial release. Support for more obscure features may appear over time, see [MatchingEngine Capabilities and Roadmap](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing/issues/99) for status.
+A regex declares a string processing algorithm using syntax familiar across a variety of languages and tools throughout programming history. We propose the ability to create a regex at run time from a string containing regex syntax (detailed here), API for accessing the match and captures, and a means to convert between an existential capture representation and concrete types.
 
+The overall story is laid out in [Regex Type and Overview](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing/blob/main/Documentation/Evolution/RegexTypeOverview.md) and each individual component is tracked in [Pitch and Proposal Status](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing/issues/107).
 
 ## Motivation
 
 Swift aims to be a pragmatic programming language, striking a balance between familiarity, interoperability, and advancing the art. Swift's `String` presents a uniquely Unicode-forward model of string, but currently suffers from limited processing facilities.
 
+<!--
+... tools need run time construction
+...  ns regular expression operates over a fundamentally different model and has limited syntactic and semantic support
+... we prpose a best-in-class treatment of familiar regex syntax
+-->
+
 The full string processing effort includes a regex type with strongly typed captures, the ability to create a regex from a string at runtime, a compile-time literal, a result builder DSL, protocols for intermixing 3rd party industrial-strength parsers with regex declarations, and a slew of regex-powered algorithms over strings.
 
 This proposal specifically hones in on the _familiarity_ aspect by providing a best-in-class treatment of familiar regex syntax.
 
 ## Proposed Solution
 
+<!--
+ ... regex compiling and existential match type
+-->
+
+### Syntax
+
 We propose accepting a syntactic "superset" of the following existing regular expression engines:
 
 - [PCRE 2][pcre2-syntax], an "industry standard" and a rough superset of Perl, Python, etc.
@@ -40,6 +51,10 @@ Regex syntax will be part of Swift's source-compatibility story as well as its b
 
 ## Detailed Design
 
+<!--
+ ... init, dynamic match, conversion to static
+ -->
+
 We propose the following syntax for regex.
 
 <details><summary>Grammar Notation</summary>
@@ -832,6 +847,14 @@ Regex syntax will become part of Swift's source and binary-compatibility story,
 Even though it is more work up-front and creates a longer proposal, it is less risky to support the full intended syntax. The proposed superset maximizes the familiarity benefit of regex syntax.
 
 
+<!-- 
+
+### TODO: Semantic capabilities
+
+This proposal regards _syntactic_ support, and does not necessarily mean that everything that can be parsed will be supported by Swift's engine in the initial release. Support for more obscure features may appear over time, see [MatchingEngine Capabilities and Roadmap](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing/issues/99) for status.
+
+ -->
+
 [pcre2-syntax]: https://www.pcre.org/current/doc/html/pcre2syntax.html
 [oniguruma-syntax]: https://github.com/kkos/oniguruma/blob/master/doc/RE
 [icu-syntax]: https://unicode-org.github.io/icu/userguide/strings/regexp.html

Documentation/Evolution/RegexTypeOverview.md

@@ -149,11 +149,11 @@ Type mismatches and invalid regex syntax are diagnosed at construction time by `
 When the pattern is known at compile time, regexes can be created from a literal containing the same regex syntax, allowing the compiler to infer the output type. Regex literals enable source tools, e.g. syntax highlighting and actions to refactor into a result builder equivalent.
 
 ```swift
-let regex = re'(\w+)\s\s+(\S+)\s\s+((?:(?!\s\s).)*)\s\s+(.*)'
+let regex = /(\w+)\s\s+(\S+)\s\s+((?:(?!\s\s).)*)\s\s+(.*)/
 // regex: Regex<(Substring, Substring, Substring, Substring, Substring)>
 ```
 
-*Note*: Regex literals, most notably the choice of delimiter, are discussed in [Regex Literals][pitches]. For this example, I used the less technically-problematic option of `re'...'`.
+*Note*: Regex literals, most notably the choice of delimiter, are discussed in [Regex Literals][pitches].
 
 This same regex can be created from a result builder, a refactoring-friendly representation:
 
@@ -193,13 +193,13 @@ A `Regex<Output>.Match` contains the result of a match, surfacing captures by nu
 
 ```swift
 func processEntry(_ line: String) -> Transaction? {
-  let regex = re'''
-    (?x) # Ignore whitespace and comments
+  // Multiline literal implies `(?x)`, i.e. non-semantic whitespace with line-ending comments
+  let regex = #/
     (?<kind>    \w+)                \s\s+
     (?<date>    \S+)                \s\s+
     (?<account> (?: (?!\s\s) . )+)  \s\s+
     (?<amount>  .*)
-    '''
+  /#
   //  regex: Regex<(
   //    Substring,
   //    kind: Substring,
@@ -300,18 +300,37 @@ Regex targets [UTS\#18 Level 2](https://www.unicode.org/reports/tr18/#Extended_U
 
 ```swift
 /// A regex represents a string processing algorithm.
+///
+///     let regex = try Regex(compiling: "a(.*)b")
+///     let match = "cbaxb".firstMatch(of: regex)
+///     print(match.0) // "axb"
+///     print(match.1) // "x"
+///
 public struct Regex<Output> {
-  /// Match a string in its entirety.
+ /// Match a string in its entirety.
   ///
   /// Returns `nil` if no match and throws on abort
-  public func matchWhole(_: String) throws -> Match?
+  public func matchWhole(_ s: String) throws -> Regex<Output>.Match?
 
-  /// Match at the front of a string
+  /// Match part of the string, starting at the beginning.
   ///
   /// Returns `nil` if no match and throws on abort
-  public func matchFront(_: String) throws -> Match?
+  public func matchPrefix(_ s: String) throws -> Regex<Output>.Match?
+
+  /// Match a substring in its entirety.
+  ///
+  /// Returns `nil` if no match and throws on abort
+  public func matchWhole(_ s: Substring) throws -> Regex<Output>.Match?
+
+  /// Match part of the string, starting at the beginning.
+  ///
+  /// Returns `nil` if no match and throws on abort
+  public func matchPrefix(_ s: Substring) throws -> Regex<Output>.Match?
 
   /// The result of matching a regex against a string.
+  ///
+  /// A `Match` forwards API to the `Output` generic parameter,
+  /// providing direct access to captures.
   @dynamicMemberLookup
   public struct Match {
     /// The range of the overall match
@@ -320,7 +339,7 @@ public struct Regex<Output> {
     /// The produced output from the match operation
     public var output: Output
 
-    /// Lookup a capture by number
+    /// Lookup a capture by name or number
     public subscript<T>(dynamicMember keyPath: KeyPath<Output, T>) -> T
 
     /// Lookup a capture by number
@@ -342,11 +361,6 @@ public struct Regex<Output> {
 extension Regex: RegexComponent {
   public var regex: Regex<Output> { self }
 
-  /// Create a regex out of a single component
-  public init<Content: RegexComponent>(
-    _ content: Content
-  ) where Content.Output == Output
-
   /// Result builder interface
   public init<Content: RegexComponent>(
     @RegexComponentBuilder _ content: () -> Content
@@ -360,11 +374,11 @@ extension Regex.Match {
 
 // Run-time compilation interfaces
 extension Regex {
-  /// Parse and compile `pattern`.
+  /// Parse and compile `pattern`, resulting in a strongly-typed capture list.
   public init(compiling pattern: String, as: Output.Type = Output.self) throws
 }
 extension Regex where Output == AnyRegexOutput {
-  /// Parse and compile `pattern`.
+  /// Parse and compile `pattern`, resulting in an existentially-typed capture list.
   public init(compiling pattern: String) throws
 }
 ```

Sources/Exercises/Participants/RegexParticipant.swift

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ private func graphemeBreakPropertyData<RP: RegexComponent>(
   forLine line: String,
   using regex: RP
 ) -> GraphemeBreakEntry? where RP.Output == (Substring, Substring, Substring?, Substring) {
-  line.match(regex).map(\.output).flatMap(extractFromCaptures)
+  line.matchWhole(regex).map(\.output).flatMap(extractFromCaptures)
 }
 
 private func graphemeBreakPropertyDataLiteral(
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ private func graphemeBreakPropertyDataLiteral(
 private func graphemeBreakPropertyData(
   forLine line: String
 ) -> GraphemeBreakEntry? {
-  line.match {
+  line.matchWhole {
     TryCapture(OneOrMore(.hexDigit)) { Unicode.Scalar(hex: $0) }
     Optionally {
       ".."

Sources/RegexBuilder/Match.swift

@@ -12,17 +12,29 @@
 import _StringProcessing
 
 extension String {
-  public func match<R: RegexComponent>(
+  public func matchWhole<R: RegexComponent>(
     @RegexComponentBuilder _ content: () -> R
   ) -> Regex<R.Output>.Match? {
-    match(content())
+    matchWhole(content())
+  }
+
+  public func matchPrefix<R: RegexComponent>(
+    @RegexComponentBuilder _ content: () -> R
+  ) -> Regex<R.Output>.Match? {
+    matchPrefix(content())
   }
 }
 
 extension Substring {
-  public func match<R: RegexComponent>(
+  public func matchWhole<R: RegexComponent>(
+    @RegexComponentBuilder _ content: () -> R
+  ) -> Regex<R.Output>.Match? {
+    matchWhole(content())
+  }
+
+  public func matchPrefix<R: RegexComponent>(
     @RegexComponentBuilder _ content: () -> R
   ) -> Regex<R.Output>.Match? {
-    match(content())
+    matchPrefix(content())
   }
 }

Sources/_StringProcessing/Algorithms/Consumers/RegexConsumer.swift

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ extension RegexConsumer {
   func _matchingConsuming(
     _ consumed: Substring, in range: Range<String.Index>
   ) -> (upperBound: String.Index, match: Match)? {
-    guard let result = regex._match(
+    guard let result = try! regex._match(
       consumed.base,
       in: range, mode: .partialFromFront
     ) else { return nil }

Sources/_StringProcessing/Regex/AnyRegexOutput.swift

@@ -12,7 +12,18 @@
 import _RegexParser
 
 extension Regex where Output == AnyRegexOutput {
-  public init(_ pattern: String) throws {
+  /// Parse and compile `pattern`, resulting in an existentially-typed capture list.
+  public init(compiling pattern: String) throws {
+    self.init(ast: try parse(pattern, .traditional))
+  }
+}
+
+extension Regex {
+  /// Parse and compile `pattern`, resulting in a strongly-typed capture list.
+  public init(
+    compiling pattern: String,
+    as: Output.Type = Output.self
+  ) throws {
     self.init(ast: try parse(pattern, .traditional))
   }
 }

Sources/_StringProcessing/Regex/Core.swift

@@ -18,8 +18,48 @@ public protocol RegexComponent {
   var regex: Regex<Output> { get }
 }
 
-/// A regular expression.
+/// A regex represents a string processing algorithm.
+///
+///     let regex = try Regex(compiling: "a(.*)b")
+///     let match = "cbaxb".firstMatch(of: regex)
+///     print(match.0) // "axb"
+///     print(match.1) // "x"
+///
 public struct Regex<Output>: RegexComponent {
+  let program: Program
+
+  var hasCapture: Bool {
+    program.tree.hasCapture
+  }
+
+  init(ast: AST) {
+    self.program = Program(ast: ast)
+  }
+  init(ast: AST.Node) {
+    self.program = Program(ast: .init(ast, globalOptions: nil))
+  }
+
+  // Compiler interface. Do not change independently.
+  @usableFromInline
+  init(_regexString pattern: String) {
+    self.init(ast: try! parse(pattern, .traditional))
+  }
+
+  // Compiler interface. Do not change independently.
+  @usableFromInline
+  init(_regexString pattern: String, version: Int) {
+    assert(version == currentRegexLiteralFormatVersion)
+    // The version argument is passed by the compiler using the value defined
+    // in libswiftParseRegexLiteral.
+    self.init(ast: try! parseWithDelimiters(pattern))
+  }
+
+  public var regex: Regex<Output> {
+    self
+  }
+}
+
+extension Regex {
   /// A program representation that caches any lowered representation for
   /// execution.
   internal class Program {
@@ -41,49 +81,19 @@ public struct Regex<Output>: RegexComponent {
       self.tree = tree
     }
   }
+}
 
-  let program: Program
-//  var ast: AST { program.ast }
-
+extension Regex {
   @_spi(RegexBuilder)
   public var root: DSLTree.Node {
     program.tree.root
   }
 
-  var hasCapture: Bool {
-    program.tree.hasCapture
-  }
-
-  init(ast: AST) {
-    self.program = Program(ast: ast)
-  }
-  init(ast: AST.Node) {
-    self.program = Program(ast: .init(ast, globalOptions: nil))
-  }
-
   @_spi(RegexBuilder)
   public init(node: DSLTree.Node) {
     self.program = Program(tree: .init(node, options: nil))
   }
 
-  // Compiler interface. Do not change independently.
-  @usableFromInline
-  init(_regexString pattern: String) {
-    self.init(ast: try! parse(pattern, .traditional))
-  }
-
-  // Compiler interface. Do not change independently.
-  @usableFromInline
-  init(_regexString pattern: String, version: Int) {
-    assert(version == currentRegexLiteralFormatVersion)
-    // The version argument is passed by the compiler using the value defined
-    // in libswiftParseRegexLiteral.
-    self.init(ast: try! parseWithDelimiters(pattern))
-  }
-
-  public var regex: Regex<Output> {
-    self
-  }
 }
 
 // MARK: - Primitive regex components