Regex for colorcoding strings

Question

I want to colorize strings in python, inserting start/stop color sequences before/after all numbers, as well as substrings marked with a control character ( % ). Lets assume [ and ] are start/stop color sequence

Currently, I match the string using two substitute iterations:

Numbers: text = re.sub(r'(\d+(\.\d+)?)', '[\\1]', text)
Substrings: text = re.sub(r'%(.*?)%', '[\\1]', text)

Example string: "Test 1.23: Some %string 123 matched%"
Desired output: "Test [1.23]: Some [string 123 matched]"
Actual output: "Test [1.23]: Some [string [123] matched ]"

I've tried (in the number step) to detect if we are already in a colored area without luck, as well as removing all color tags within a %control character sequence%, also without luck.

that will happen obviously because of modification by your numbers re.sub..you cannot make them independent — rock321987
– rock321987, Commented May 26, 2016 at 11:09
This seems to work, but I'm not sure that it's really reliable... — Thomas Ayoub
– Thomas Ayoub, Commented May 26, 2016 at 11:14
@rock321987 I'm aware why it happens, just not how to fix it :) — AllanNorgaard
– AllanNorgaard, Commented May 26, 2016 at 11:19
@ThomasAyoub I've considered the option, but it fails when only one of the cases is present ( \2 is not present) — AllanNorgaard
– AllanNorgaard, Commented May 26, 2016 at 11:19

rock321987 · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-26 12:20:02Z

2

There maybe other solutions but this may work. You need to install regex library for using branch reset feature.

>>> import regex as re
>>> x="Test 1.23: Some %string 123 match%ed"
>>> re.sub(r'(?|%(.*?)%|(\d+(?:\.\d+)?))', r'[\1]', x)
'Test [1.23]: Some [string 123 match]ed'

edited May 26, 2016 at 12:20

answered May 26, 2016 at 12:05

rock321987

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2 Comments

AllanNorgaard Over a year ago

I haven't heard of branch reset before, but this seems to work perfect. Thanks!

rock321987 Over a year ago

@AllanNørgaard i also haven't used it either till today one user pointed me about it here (today only) in comments..after seeing there I realized I can use that here

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