ZopeLABS - Arbitrary Regular Expressions

import re def rgx_sub(pattern, sub_text, source_text): return re.sub(pattern,sub_text,source_text) def rgx_search(pattern, source_text): matches = re.search(pattern,source_text) if matches: return matches.group() else: return []

Once you've got that installed, add some external methods (in the ZMI):

---
id: regex_search
module name: regexes
function name: rgx_search
---
id: regex_sub
module name: regexes
function name: rgx_sub
---

Using these from a Python Script is simple:

result = context.regex_search(pattern, input_string)
result = context.regex_sub(pattern, repl_text, input_string)

Bear in mind that in both cases, input_string is not changed, rather
your results are *returned*.

Because you're passing your patterns directly to re, all the standard
metacharacters, parens, etc. will work.

The regex_search method returns the group() of the resulting match
object if you wish to iterate over results.

--IMPORTANT--
Per the following comment, group() may not be what you are expecting.
Either ensure that your code is expecting these results or change the
external method to use groups().

Once everything's working, don't forget to set permissions on these
external methods in accordance with whatever security policy you want
enforced.

Enjoy!

OMG. You have no idea how frustrated I got with this thing. The line: "return matches.group()" must read: "return matches.groups()" This will allow the grouping mechanism provided in regular expressions available to the calling script.

I'm certainly sorry you had trouble using this recipe. For what it's worth, a regular expression match object has *both* a group() and groups() method. I intended the former, but it's valid to prefer the latter. Either way, I didn't continue the recipe beyond the point where you get *something* back because getting any results *at all* is the part that seems to cause the most difficulty. Anyone who intends to use this recipe would be well advised to check out the docs on regular expression match objects and determine if what this recipe gives them is, in fact, what they actually want. Some links of potential interest: http://docs.python.org/lib/match-objects.html http://www.amk.ca/python/howto/regex/ HTH & sorry for any confusion. I've edited the recipe to flag the potential for confusion.