Just shoot me now (was Re: What's wrong with this fancy split?)

[Tommy Kelly <tommy.kelly@verilab.com>]

Andreas Schwab <schwab@linux-m68k.org> writes:

> Because [ and ] are not word characters.  See
> nnmail-split-fancy-syntax-table.

Thanks Andreas. Unfortunately that 6,500 line variable, consisting
mostly of pairs of parens enclosing numbers, is as clear as mud :-)

This to no one in particular:

Thus far, like my adventures in figuring out what version of gnus is
current, my attempts Just To Split My Mail have been ... interesting:

1. Try to figure out multi-line regexps with simple splitting
2. Advised to move to fancy splitting
3. Hours of trying to get even the simplest fancy split working (and I'm
not alone)
4. Finally get it moving -- but only after direct advice. But still
don't understand why (specifically, why is nnmail-split-methods settable
on a per-server basis, but nnmail-split-fancy is done on a ... shrug
.. a per gnus basis?)
5. Begin building more simple splits then stumble on
"\\[stuff\\]". Splitting isn't as keen on \\[ as it is on, say, \\. .
6. Told that nnmail-split-fancy-syntax-table is the clue
7. C-h v on that variable. Look. Puke. Look again.
8. Google for "emacs lisp syntax table"
9. Fall pretty much at the first fence on being told that a syntax table
is a "char-table" about which I know very little
10. Start reading about what a char-table is
11. Consider reading about "aref" and "aset" since part of the basic
description of char-tables mentions those
12. Stop and think "Seriously!? All this Just To Split My Mail!?"

I'm not remotely demanding, requesting or even begging for change. I
acknowledge that Gnus is a labour of love, open source, and is there to
be taken or left as each sees fit.

I'm just saying.

Tommy