  nmax   == 4 

      Then 

         items[0] == &quot;&quot; 
         items[1] == &quot;bob&quot; 
         items[2] == &quot;carol&quot; 
         items[3] == &quot;&quot; 


   3) Let 

         list   == &quot;  1986-187// 13:15:12.184 &quot; 
         delims == &quot; ,/-:&quot; 
         nmax   == 20 

      Then 

         items[0] == &quot;1986&quot; 
         items[1] == &quot;187&quot; 
         items[2] == &quot;&quot; 
         items[3] == &quot;13&quot; 
         items[4] == &quot;15&quot; 
 