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Bug fixed in 10.1

Consider the following pattern-matching expressions:

MatchQ[{1, 2}, {a_, b_}]                     (* True *)
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {a_, b_:0}]                   (* True *)
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {PatternSequence[a_, b_]}]    (* True *)
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {PatternSequence[a_, b_:0]}]  (* False *)

The last result surprises me. I would have expected it to return True just like the others. I suspect a bug, but does this behaviour conform to some pattern-matching principle that I have overlooked?

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5
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I reported this issue to WRI some years ago, but never received a diagnosis. $\endgroup$
    – WReach
    Commented Jan 22, 2015 at 15:16
  • 6
    $\begingroup$ Interesting. Yes, probably a bug. I'll try to have a look when I get a chance. $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Lichtblau
    Commented Jan 22, 2015 at 15:57
  • $\begingroup$ To my interest MatchQ[{1, 2}, {PatternSequence[a_, b_.]}] throws messages but returns True. $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    Commented Jan 23, 2015 at 23:01
  • $\begingroup$ @Mr.Wizard Working on it (and the issue from the original post). $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Lichtblau
    Commented Jan 23, 2015 at 23:15
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Daniel i.sstatic.net/k7L5x.gif $\endgroup$
    – Mr.Wizard
    Commented Jan 23, 2015 at 23:18

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Fixed in 10.1 (windows)

Mathematica graphics

Mathematica graphics

code

MatchQ[{1, 2}, {a_, b_}]                     
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {a_, b_: 0}]                 
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {PatternSequence[a_, b_]}]    
MatchQ[{1, 2}, {PatternSequence[a_, b_: 0]}]
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