From: haskell-cafe-bounces@haskell.org [mailto:haskell-cafe-bounces@haskell.org] On Behalf Of Donald Bruce Stewart
I vote for this, currently implemented in Data.ByteString:
-- | split on characters split :: Char -> String -> [String]
-- | split on predicate * splitBy :: (Char -> Bool) -> String -> [String]
and -- | split on a string tokens :: String -> String -> [String]
Question over whether it should be: splitBy (=='a') "aabbaca" == ["","","bb","c",""] or splitBy (=='a') "aabbaca" == ["bb","c"]
I argue the second form is what people usually want.
Based on...? Does tokens preserve empty fields, like the proposed first form of splitBy? There is a fairly strong case for the first form when looking at CSV file parsers e.g. splitBy (== ',') "a,b,,d" == ["a", "b", "", "d"] In this case you want to correctly notice that a given field is empty. As Christian Maeder notes, it's pretty easy to filter them out afterwards, if that's what you want. OTOH, if tokens does this, then I'm not concerned that splitBy doesn't. Alistair ***************************************************************** Confidentiality Note: The information contained in this message, and any attachments, may contain confidential and/or privileged material. It is intended solely for the person(s) or entity to which it is addressed. Any review, retransmission, dissemination, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. *****************************************************************