#!/usr/bin/perl
#
# $Id: greedy-vs-not-char 2592 2003-12-21 00:33:01Z jmates $
#
# The author disclaims all copyrights and releases this document into
# the public domain.

use Benchmark;

$source = "ad2349t724j kh24k5j24^ 5khj4i25h8 235 :34678: yu8h2b5j3";

timethese(1000000, { 
    'non-greedy' => '($foo) = $source =~ /:(.*?):/',
    'non-last' => '($foo) = $source =~ /:([^:]+):/',
    'digits' => '($foo) = $source =~ /:(\d+):/',
});