http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=1005390


in reply to need help to replace string in a line

I haven't checked it, but I guess your extensive use of .*? is causing trouble. That can match lots of stuff you don't want it to match. Be more specific!

For example: 

/ nf\w* \h* = \h* \d+ /x
#           ^ don't make the = optional
#   ^^^ not arbitrary characters, just allow word characters

/ nf\w+ \h* = \h* \{ [^}]+ \}/
#                    ^^^^ don't allow a closing bracket inside the bra
+ckets

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