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pythonregexpython-rere-python

Regex words extraction within a string store it into a python list


I am new to regex, I want to extract specific words within a python string. This is the string:

'1. feature name: occupation_Transport-moving<br>coefficient: 0.1776<br>2. feature name: education<br>coefficient: 0.0726<br>3. feature name: occupation_Machine-op-inspct<br>coefficient: 0.0661<br>4. feature name: occupation_Armed-Forces<br>coefficient: 0.0006<br>5. feature name: workclass_Without-pay<br>coefficient: -0.0194<br>6. feature name: occupation_Handlers-cleaners<br>coefficient: -0.1256<br>7. feature name: occupation_Farming-fishing<br>coefficient: -0.3938<br>8. feature name: GDP Group<br>coefficient: -0.4138<br>9. feature name: occupation_Other-service<br>coefficient: -0.4294<br>10. feature name: occupation_Priv-house-serv<br>coefficient: -0.6560<br>'

The result I am looking for:

[occupation_Transport-moving,education,occupation_Machine-op-inspct,occupation_Armed-Forces,workclass_Without-pay,occupation_Handlers-cleaners,occupation_Farming-fishing,GDP Group,occupation_Other-service,occupation_Priv-house-serv]

I have tried this but it does return the whole string starting from:: re.findall(':\s(.*)<',txt)

Thank you in advance for your assistance.


Solution

  • Use

    :\s*([^:.<]+)<
    

    See regex proof.

    EXPLANATION

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :                        ':'
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      \s*                      whitespace (\n, \r, \t, \f, and " ") (0 or
                               more times (matching the most amount
                               possible))
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (                        group and capture to \1:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        [^:.<]+                  any character except: ':', '.', '<' (1
                                 or more times (matching the most amount
                                 possible))
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      )                        end of \1
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      <                        '<'