Would somebody please explain?

[Rouben Rostamian]

The command:
    expr "Match" : "Ma"
returns 2, as it should, since the first two characters of "Match" and "Ma"
coincide.  Now, would somebody please explain why the command:
    expr "match" : "ma"
complains of a "syntax error"?

This happens on DEC ultrix (both in sh and csh,) on SUNs, and on Stardent.
I don't claim that this is a bug;  I suspect that I am doing something
stupid.  Please enlighten.

--
Rouben Rostamian                          Telephone: (301) 455-2458
Department of Mathematics and Statistics  e-mail:
University of Maryland Baltimore County   bitnet: rostamian at umbc.bitnet
Baltimore, MD 21228,  U.S.A.              internet: rouben at math9.math.umbc.edu