The Booch Components ("Software Components w Ada", 1987) contain a generic Pattern_Match_Regular_Expression package. Perhaps the activity started by Weller (continuing under new management?) will consider porting that component. In fact, I have a licensed copy and have successfully compiled it under gnat and Apex, so I think all a person would need to do is place it into the public site under the auspice of the Weller-Booch agreement, and carry out "appropriate" testing. -- John Woodruff N I F \ ^ / Lawrence Livermore National Lab =====---- < 0 > 510 422 4661 / v \