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Python Regular Expressions in Python Introduction to Regular Expressions Name Groups

Andrew Gordon
Andrew Gordon
10,178 Points

Name Groups Challenge 1/1

I don't understand what I'm missing in regards to this challenge. Sometimes I feel like I over complicate my answers, but I don't feel that is the issue here:

import re

string = 'Perotto, Pier Giorgio'

names = re.match(r'?P<name>(\w, \w)*', string)

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks! Andrew

1 Answer

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

Your regex is not using the correct syntax for a named groups, also challenge wants two groups: firstname, lastname

import re

string = 'Perotto, Pier Giorgio'
ā€‹
names = re.match(r'(?P<lastname>\w+), (?P<firstname>[\w ]+)', string)
Andrew Gordon
Andrew Gordon
10,178 Points

Ah I see. the syntax did feel off, and I also see that I missed the fact that the challenge wanted two groups, not necessarily for them to be subgroups. Appreciate the input!

jack pincombe
jack pincombe
6,188 Points

I may have missed it in the video but why are there no [] for the \w+ in the last name group but there are for the first name

(?P<lastname>\w+) vs (?P<firstname>[\w ]+)

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

The [ ] define a character set. Since a match on the last name can be described with a single character pattern there is no need to use the set brackets to define a set.

Set brackets can be used if you wish:

re.match(r'(?P<lastname>\w+), (?P<firstname>[\w ]+)', string)

Is equivalent to

re.match(r'(?P<lastname>[\w]+), (?P<firstname>[\w ]+)', string)