How can I check for specific strings in python?

Question

I'm used to doing Regex's in a variety of languages, but I don't know Python well.

I'm looking for a regex that will do the same as the following JavaScript regex:

(disc|dis|se|oti)(\d+)\W

i.e. where the string will consist of one of those 4 strings followed by one or more digits followed by a space. This string will appear at the very beginning of the string (so I can use re.match rather than re.search).

It looks like I can use this:

re.match( r'(disc|dis|se|oti)(\d+)\s', line)

but should I be using the 'r' at the beginning?

You could just use it as re.match( r'(disc|dis|se|oti)(\d+)\W', line) if you want. If you're trying to match anywhere in a string, then use re.search instead of re.match. — Jerry
– Jerry, Commented Mar 10, 2014 at 20:08

Ypnypn · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-10 20:08:06Z

2

The r in the string means that the backslashes \ in the string won't create unusual characters, so it's usually a good idea.

Also note you need to import re at the beginning of the program.

Full code

import re
match = re.match( r'(disc|dis|se|oti)(\d+)\s', line)

or omit the r before the string, and double all the backslashes:

import re
match = re.match( '(disc|dis|se|oti)(\\d+)\\s', line)

answered Mar 10, 2014 at 20:08

Ypnypn

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Teja · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-10 20:26:02Z

0

http://docs.python.org/2/library/re.html

Will help you understand about regex in python2.7

answered Mar 10, 2014 at 20:26

Teja

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