Python non-greedy regexes

python regex regex-greedy
So8res picture So8res · Apr 20, 2009 · Viewed 107.3k times · Source

How do I make a python regex like "(.*)" such that, given "a (b) c (d) e" python matches "b" instead of "b) c (d"?

I know that I can use "[^)]" instead of ".", but I'm looking for a more general solution that keeps my regex a little cleaner. Is there any way to tell python "hey, match this as soon as possible"?

Answer

Trey Stout picture Trey Stout · Apr 20, 2009

You seek the all-powerful *?

From the docs, Greedy versus Non-Greedy

the non-greedy qualifiers *?, +?, ??, or {m,n}? [...] match as little text as possible.

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