[erlang-questions] The re module documentation

[Jachym Holecek]

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:46:17 +0200, Doug Edmunds <dougedmunds@REDACTED>  
wrote:
> 2. Need to define 'opaque' as used in
>
>  mp() = Opaque datatype containing a compiled regular expression.
>
> Hopefully it means something other than as defined by
> http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque

Meaning 1) actually makes good sense in this context.

"Opaque datatype" is commonly used to denote "datatype whose shape
is none of user's business". So the only way you're allowed to work
with the "mp()" type is 1. pass it around unaltered 2. invoke 're'
functions on it.

In other words, the type is "opaque" because as hard as you look,
you're never (supposed to be) able to see its internals.

> "2 a*:* hard to understand or explain <*opaque* prose>
> b*:* obtuse <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obtuse>,
> thickheaded <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thickheaded> "

Heh :-)

	-- Jachym