Matching a complex expression in python regex

Question

I have to create a unique textual marker in my document using Python 2.7, with the following function:

def build_textual_marker(number, id):
    return "[xxxcixxx[[_'" + str(number) + "'] [_'" + id + "']]xxxcixxx]"

the output looks like this : [xxxcixxx[[_'1'] [_'24']]xxxcixxx]

And then I have to catch any occurrence of this expression in my document. I ended up to the following regular expression but it seems not working fine:

marker_regex = "\[xxxcixxx\[(\[_*?\])\s(\[_*?\])\]xxxcixxx\]"

I was wondering how should I write the correct regex in this case?

You missed the . - \[xxxcixxx\[(\[_.*?\])\s(\[_.*?\])\]xxxcixxx\] — Wiktor Stribiżew
– Wiktor Stribiżew, Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 8:16

Selcuk · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-19 08:18:38Z

2

Try using

\[xxxcixxx\[\[_'.*?'\] \[_'.*?'\]\]xxxcixxx\]

Demo: http://regexr.com/3d887

answered Apr 19, 2016 at 8:18

Selcuk

60.1k12 gold badges114 silver badges119 bronze badges

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

Comments

Jan · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-19 08:27:00Z

2

Rather than the lazy star, you might as well get along with a digit class directly (the function build_textual_marker takes a number parameter, doesn't it?):

\[xxxcixxx\[(\[_'\d+'\])\s(\[_'\d+'\])\]xxxcixxx\]

See a demo on regex101.com.

answered Apr 19, 2016 at 8:27

Jan

43.3k11 gold badges57 silver badges87 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Matching a complex expression in python regex

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related