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PDGREPPE Hints for Faster Search

This section points out various ways of searching more
quickly or using PDGREPPE to greater advantage.

To find things more quickly:

1. Keep the search pattern well-defined.

Vague items to be found will slow down a search.

Exact items like literal strings, restricted sets and position
tests can make the entire search MUCH FASTER.

Overuse of vague pattern items like ANY "." along with REPEAT
operators in search patterns can slow things down.

Search fragments like ".*" result in LONGER SEARCH TIMES,
especially if option "-x" is used to cross over new-lines.

Instead of using "." as the object of the REPEAT operators,
use a definite item or {Group} of items to exactly specify
what is to be or NOT to be searched for.

When using a [set] or [range] to identify a byte that has a
variable value, restrict the [range] to the smallest number of
possible values.

2. Limit pattern definitions.

If using pattern definitions

LIMIT THE NUMBER OF DEFINITION FILES AND DEFINITIONS

that PDGREPPE must go through when trying to locate a
definition.

If using repeated definitions use option "-jO" to optimise
the speed of pattern compilation.

Place frequently used definitions near the front of
definition files.

Use definition Warning option "-jW" for discovering faulty
definitions, not constantly.

See file PDGREPPE.HNT for other hints.

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