How to match special characters

[thendal]

Hey guys!

I have a problem,Iam storing a set of data in a flat file
where iam searching a particular field which carries special characters in it.
Flat file looks like

FIELD1|SEARCHABLE Field|filed3
name|Name(area)|notes
name1|name-city(code)|notes1
name2|Name2-city2|notes 2

When user selects the drop down city and searchs the flat file.

It will match the data's with '-' not '('

what may be the cause.Explain please any function to escape the special characters

For matching

Iam using the code
if($userselect=~/$searchable_field_from_Flatfile/)
{
}

advise me guys...

 

[Guest_imported]

try:

$searchable_field_from_Flatfile =
quotemeta($searchable_field_from_Flatfile);

before you use it in the regex.

hth

 

[MikeLacey]

sounds interesting -- how do you use that then phil?

 

[thendal]

Phil!

I used your quotemeta method but it seem to be adding a '/'
infront the special characters and its not matching.
what i have to do here any help.

Thendal

 

[thendal]

Is there is any way to match variable ignoring the special character in it.