Invisible wrote:
> The basics of mathematical notation are so ubiquitous throughout the 
> Western world 

And the basics of regexp notation is mathematical. As well as being 
ubiquitous throughout the programming world. Which is why we're equating the 
two.

> Anyone who's used a computer for a length of time is probably familiar 
> with "*" as a wildcard character, so that's not too bad. 

And where do you think the "*" meaning "wildcard" came from?

> It's the other characters which are less self-evident. 

I'm sure you'd find quite a few mathematicians being confused by
    6 = 2 * 3
    2 = 6 / 3
which is why APL used an actual multiplication and division sign.

>(Plus the fact that "*" is 
> actually a prefix operator, which I hadn't realised.)

No it isn't.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Serving Suggestion:
     "Don't serve this any more. It's awful."

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