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Wildcard string compare (globbing)

By , 15 Feb 2005
 

Usage:

This is a fast, lightweight, and simple pattern matching function.

if (wildcmp("bl?h.*", "blah.jpg")) {
  //we have a match!
} else {
  //no match =(
}

Function:

int wildcmp(const char *wild, const char *string) {
  // Written by Jack Handy - <A href="mailto:jakkhandy@hotmail.com">jakkhandy@hotmail.com</A>
  const char *cp = NULL, *mp = NULL;

  while ((*string) && (*wild != '*')) {
    if ((*wild != *string) && (*wild != '?')) {
      return 0;
    }
    wild++;
    string++;
  }

  while (*string) {
    if (*wild == '*') {
      if (!*++wild) {
        return 1;
      }
      mp = wild;
      cp = string+1;
    } else if ((*wild == *string) || (*wild == '?')) {
      wild++;
      string++;
    } else {
      wild = mp;
      string = cp++;
    }
  }

  while (*wild == '*') {
    wild++;
  }
  return !*wild;
}

License

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About the Author

Jack Handy
Web Developer
United States United States
Member
No Biography provided

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GeneralMany thanks, with 1 small gripe ..memberDavid Patrick29 Sep '04 - 8:41 

most C compare functions return zero when the values are equal, but this function returns non-zero.
 
Personally, I find the non-zero to be more intuitive .. but after years of forcing myself to check for zero I find it a bit counter-intuitive.
 
I think I'll just rename the function when I add it to my library Smile | :)
 
But that certainly wont stop me from using this wonderful routine.
 
Many sincere thanks ...
 

GeneralRe: Many thanks, with 1 small gripe ..memberJack Handy6 Oct '04 - 8:13 
David Patrick wrote:
most C compare functions return zero when the values are equal, but this function returns non-zero.
 
You make a good point. I probably should have made it behave like the strcmp() type functions. I'm a bit afraid to change it at this point since it has been posted for so long. It should be an easy fix for you or anyone else who is used to C style string comparisons. The C++ people here probably like the current behavior I would imagine.
 
-Jack
 

There are 10 types of people in this world, those that understand binary and those who don't.


GeneralRe: Many thanks, with 1 small gripe ..memberVic Mackey16 Oct '04 - 19:33 
I disagree. The return value for strcmp() is more than simply a test for equality, it tells you which string is greater than the other. A zero return value for strcmp() makes sense, but not for wildcmp() since the return value is strictly boolean, match or no match. The current implementation is fine (although some people might be picky about the return type, int vs bool). Perhaps to avoid confusion with string comparison functions, the function should be renamed to wildmatch() or something similar.

GeneralRe: Many thanks, with 1 small gripe ..memberVoja Intermajstor24 Nov '04 - 23:26 

You are completely right, Vic.
 
It is interesting that I have renamed the function in my code to wildmatch(). Wink | ;)
It would be a good new name.
 
Regards, Voja

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