Extracting Words Between Delimiters [] in Python

Extracting Words Between Delimiters [] in Python

From the below string, I want to extract the words between delimters [ ] like 'Service Current','Service','9991','1.22':

str='mysrv events Generating Event Name [Service Current], Category [Service] Test [9991] Value [1.22]'

How can I extract the same in python?

Thanks in advance Kris

3 Answers

First, avoid using str as a variable name. str already has a meaning in Python and by defining it to be something else you will confuse people.

Having said that you can use the following regular expression:

>>> import re
>>> print re.findall(r'\[([^]]*)\]', s)
['Service Current', 'Service', '9991', '1.22']

This works as follows:

\[   match a literal [
(    start a capturing group
[^]] match anything except a closing ]
*    zero or more of the previous
)    close the capturing group
\]   match a literal ]

An alternative regular expression is:

r'\[(.*?)\]'

This works by using a non-greedy match instead of matching anything except ].

2

you can use regex

import re
s = re.findall('\[(.*?)\]', str)
1
re.findall(r'\[([^\]]*)\]', str)

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Marcus Vance
Author

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.