[SOLVED] python 2.7 unable to match against string

szboardstretcher · 05-05-2013, 12:51 PM

Im using python 2.7.4

I have a list of strings. It has a bunch of stuff in it. Most importantly it has this line in it:

Code:

\xc2\xa0- _U

Just an Fyi, if I look at that same line in hex edit though, i get this:

Code:

&nbsp;- _U

Anyway, I can match part of that string, like this:

Code:

tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('\xc2\xa0-','HELLO')

produces:

HELLO _U

Just as it should.

But this is where i am confused. I add 3 more characters to that statement up there and it doesnt work. Ive used escapes, spaces, unescaped,.. everything i can think of, but basically this example here does not work:

Code:

tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('\xc2\xa0- _U','HELLO')
or
tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('\xc2\xa0- \_U','HELLO')
or 
tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('\xc2\xa0-\ \_U','HELLO')
or
tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('&nbsp-\ \_U','HELLO')
or
tdstrings = tdstrings.replace('\&nbsp-\ \_U','HELLO')

produces:

&nbsp;- _U

as if none of those match at all. Even though i can match the first part. Someone have a moment to explain this to me?

kbp · 05-05-2013, 08:29 PM

Maybe the space in the input is not actually a space, if you open it with a hex editor what is the actual character - 0x20 ?

Cacafire · 05-05-2013, 09:30 PM

Did you try triple quoting?

szboardstretcher · 05-05-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbp

Maybe the space in the input is not actually a space, if you open it with a hex editor what is the actual character - 0x20 ?

Thanks for the reply.

Code:

9312     3e 0a 26 6e 62 73 70 3b  2d 20 5f 55 3c 62 72 3e   >.&nbsp;- _U<br>

Looks like it is a 0x20 space.

szboardstretcher · 05-05-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacafire

Did you try triple quoting?

I have now. It works. Thank you much. Have my upvote.

Do you have time to explain why that worked?

Cacafire · 05-06-2013, 05:54 PM

Triple quoting captures everything verbatim.