File relations- matching file names. Will using spaces lead to problems

[CollieDog]

Hi,
I have a few questions regarding file relations.

1. Following the IMatch help file on Configuring File Names (https://www.photools.com/help/imatch/#rel_config.htm), I've been adding and modifying Relational Definitions to get the result I want.

I just want to check with other users to see if I have set this up properly. I want to avoid making avoidable mistakes.
As is commonly done, I create versions of my images in an image editor and save them in a "completed images" folder. An example:

2018 November 03 FOLDER
     Test photo 001.nef

     Darktable Exports FOLDER
            Test photo 001 edit 01.jpg
            Test photo 001 edit 01 1080x720px.jpg

In Preferences - File Relations - Detection, after experimenting with the Text Expressions feature, I found I had to add a space into the Link Expression in order to recognize my filename variations. I've not been using "-" (dash) or "_" (underscores) as I find they inhibit my reading of file names, look cluttered, and seem to foil my search tools (I'm using Fsearch and Catfish in Linux).

I'm using this Link Expression:
^(_*{name})[+\-_]*[0-9|a-z| ]*\.(nks|jpg|jpeg|dng|tif|png|nef.dxo|nef.bib|nef.dop)$

My question: will the use of spaces cause me grief? Should I be using underscores and dashes?

Thanks!

[Mario]

IMatch has no problems with spaces in file names. As long as your regular expression matches your versions you are good.

But, in the professional world, especially if you plan to use your images on other platforms than Windows, maybe upload them to web sites or services, keeping file names simple, all lower-case and without blanks is pretty much a requirement. Using a - and _ is mostly save in most environments.