why re.search print match found even string is not exact similar

Question

My string_first matches with both pattern and pattern_second (see code below). However, I would like for it to be matched only with pattern_second. Could someone help me in achieving this?

import re

string_first = "this-is-first-time"
pattern = "this-is-first"
pattern_second = "this-is-first.*"

if re.search(pattern, string_first):
    print("string match for pattern first")
else:
    print("string not match")

if re.search(pattern_second, string_first):
    print("string match for pattern second")
else:
    print("string not match")

`.*` matches any **0 or more** chars (other than line break chars, by default). `a` will always find a match where`a.*` finds a match. — Wiktor Stribiżew, Jul 08 '20 at 08:57

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 08 '20 at 08:56

1

In you pattern specify that you have the end of the line as follows:

pattern = "this-is-first$"

'$' means end of line.

answered Jul 08 '20 at 08:56

ErikXIII

557
2
11

Leo Arad · Answer 2 · 2020-07-08T09:07:55.243

1

You can try

import re

string_first = "this-is-first-time"
pattern = "this-is-first\s"
pattern_second = "this-is-first.*"

if re.search(pattern, string_first):
    print("string match for pattern first")
else:
    print("string not match")

if re.search(pattern_second, string_first):
    print("string match for pattern second")
else:
    print("string not match")

Output

string not match
string match for pattern second

edited Jul 08 '20 at 09:07

answered Jul 08 '20 at 08:56

Leo Arad

4,312
2
4
16

want to match with pattern_second not pattern – sulabh poddar Jul 08 '20 at 08:59
Edited the code accordingly – Leo Arad Jul 08 '20 at 09:08

why re.search print match found even string is not exact similar

2 Answers2