Python simple regex

Question

So I have a pattern:

hourPattern = re.compile('\d{2}:\d{2}')

And match against the compiled pattern

hourStart = hourPattern.match('Sat Jan 28 01:15:00 GMT 2012')

When I print hourStart it gives me None. Any help?

g.d.d.c · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-14 23:28:15Z

9

Match expects the found value to be at the beginning of the string. You want search.

>>> import re
>>>
>>> s = re.compile('\d+')
>>>
>>> s2 = 'a123'
>>>
>>> s.match(s2)
>>> s.search(s2)
<_sre.SRE_Match object at 0x01E29AD8>

answered Nov 14, 2011 at 23:28

g.d.d.c

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1 Comment

@Jirico - Happy to help. Be sure to mark answers as accepted so that other users know you've received the help you need. :)

Raymond Hettinger · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-14 23:33:44Z

0

Switch from the match method to the search method:

>>> hourPattern = re.compile('\d{2}:\d{2}')
>>> hourStart = hourPattern.search('Sat Jan 28 01:15:00 GMT 2012')
>>> hourStart.group()
'01:15'

answered Nov 14, 2011 at 23:33

Raymond Hettinger

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