

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD width=8%>.</TD>
<TD width=92%>match any character except newline (by default)</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD width=8%>[</TD>
<TD width=92%>start character class definition</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD width=8%>|</TD>
<TD width=92%>start of alternative branch</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD width=8%>(</TD>
<TD width=92%>start subpattern</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD width=8%>)</TD>
<TD width=92%>end subpattern</TD>
</TR>

<TR VALIGN="top">
<TD