function getComponents() {
        if ($this->isLeaf()) {
            $raw_filter = preg_replace('/^\(|\)$/', '', $this->_filter);
            $parts = Net_LDAP2_Util::split_attribute_string($raw_filter, true, true);
            if (count($parts) != 3) {
                return PEAR::raiseError("Net_LDAP2_Filter getComponents() error: invalid filter syntax - unknown matching rule used");
            } else {
                return $parts;
            }
        } else {
            return PEAR::raiseError('Net_LDAP2_Filter getComponents() call is invalid for non-leaf filters!');
        }
    }