search and replace using python

Question

I have the following file "template.txt"

function FA()
{
    if(){...}
    message=[msg]
    message=[msg]
}
function FB()
{
    if(){...}
    message=[msg]
    message=[msg]
}
function FC()
{
    if(){...}
    message=[msg]
    message=[msg]
}

I would like to do this:

./script.py --function FB --message TEST

and get this result:

function FA()
{
    if(){...}
    message=[msg]
    message=[msg]
}
function FB()
{
    if(){...}
    message=TEST
    message=TEST
}
function FC()
{
    if(){...}
    message=[msg]
    message=[msg]
}

I can now using getopt retrieve all the options and arguments properly but I can't figure out how to achieve the above behavior elegantly. Any ideas? Are there any libraries that can help me with this?

I was able to achieve this behavior using AWK but now I need it in python. In AWK you can go to a specific line (e.g. function FC()) and start replacing from there until you hit another function. I can't seem to figure this out in python.

I am also wondering if there's a better approach to this problem.

You can use split and join to rip apart the text and stitch it back together with your message. — Waleed Khan
– Waleed Khan, Commented Oct 12, 2013 at 16:00
@GraemeStuart I have updated my question with what I have tried — Kam
– Kam, Commented Oct 12, 2013 at 16:02
You need the fileinput module from the standard library. [Here's a simple example of how to use it.][1] [1]: stackoverflow.com/questions/5453267/… — ennuikiller
– ennuikiller, Commented Oct 12, 2013 at 16:06

James Robinson · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-12 16:25:25Z

1

Once you get your variables, and have them sanitized properly you can do something like this.

def templater(template,function,message):
    template = template.split('function')
    for i,f in enumerate(template):
        if function in f:
            template[i] = f.replace('[msg]',message)
    return 'function'.join(template)

Edit: As far as a better approach, you should consider creating your template using the formatting mini language http://docs.python.org/2/library/string.html#formatspec or an actual templating language such as jinja2 http://jinja.pocoo.org/docs/

edited Oct 12, 2013 at 16:25

answered Oct 12, 2013 at 16:13

James Robinson

8226 silver badges13 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

search and replace using python

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related