smart splitting - how to

[Helmut Jarausch]

Hi,

I'd like to read several strings by using 'input'. 
These strings are separated by white space but I'd like to allow for
some quoting, e.g.

"Guido van" Rossum

should be split into 2 strings only

Now, a simple split doesn't work since it splits the quoted text as well.
Is there a simple way to do so?
It would be nice if it could handle embedded quotes which are escaped 
by a backslash, too.

Is there something simpler then a sophisticated regular expression 
or even a parser?

Many thanks for a hint,
Helmut