=head1 TITLE

Replace first match function (C<?...?>) with a flag to the match command.

=head1 VERSION

  Maintainer: Stephen P. Potter <spp@ds.net>
  Date: 24 Aug 2000
  Mailing List: perl6-language@perl.org
  Number: 156
  Version: 1
  Status: Developing

=head1 ABSTRACT

The first match function should be removed from the language and its
functionality should be implemented via a flag to the standard match function.

=head1 DESCRIPTION

The syntax of the first match function is a special case anomoly which causes
the parser to have to work harder.  Removing its special syntax would
simplify the language definition and make writing parsers easier.

=head1 IMPLEMENTATION

It is recommended that the flag be C<f>, which is a mneumonic for "first".
Additionally, the code for the parser which checks for C<?...?> should
be removed from the grammar.

=head1 REFERENCES

perl6-language message
C<200008182343.JAA00690@indy05.csse.monash.edu.au> by Damian Conway

RFC 135: Require explicit m on matches, even with ?? and // as delimiters.