 the match, valid for buffer</dd>
<dt><span class="strong">Returns:</span></dt><dd>the number of matching characters, zero for no match</dd><dt><span class="strong">Since:</span></dt>
  <dd>2.4</dd></dl>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ========= END OF CLASS DATA ========= -->
<!-- ======= START OF BOTTOM NAVBAR ====== -->
<div class="bottomNav"><a name="navbar_bottom">
<!--   -->
</a><a href="#skip-navbar_bottom" title="Skip navigation links"></a><a name="navbar_bottom_firstrow">
<!-