Question

I have a python script that takes input using a pattern like this:
1** then takes multiple inputs after that like 100, 110, 011 ect.
I need to test to see if the imputed data matches the pattern, the * can stand for either a 1 or a 0. What is the best way to go about doing this? I’m fairly new to Python, so explanations would be helpful.

Update: added input and output example

Example of correct input and output:

input:
**1 (pattern)
001, 101, 000
output:
001, 101

Answer 1

I would suggest using the input string and replace to generate a simple regular expression:

>>> '1**0*'.replace('*', '[01]')
'1[01][01]0[01]'

Now that can be used in whatever way you want:

>>> import re
>>> pattern = '1**0*'.replace('*', '[01]')
>>> bool(re.match(pattern, '00000'))
False
>>> bool(re.match(pattern, '10000'))
True

If you aren’t familiar with regular expressions, you might want to read a tutorial or two. But the fundamental idea is that any one of the characters between brackets is allowed. So a [01] matches either a 1 or a 0, as you requested in your question.