Question

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Python: Split string with multiple delimiters

Can I do something similar in Python?

Split method in VB.net:

Dim line As String = "Tech ID: xxxxxxxxxx Name: DOE, JOHN Account #: xxxxxxxx"
Dim separators() As String = {"Tech ID:", "Name:", "Account #:"}
Dim result() As String
result = line.Split(separators, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)

Answer 1

Given a bad data format like this, you could try re.split():

>>> import re
>>> mystring = "Field 1: Data 1 Field 2: Data 2 Field 3: Data 3"
>>> a = re.split(r"(Field 1:|Field 2:|Field 3:)",mystring)
['', 'Field 1:', ' Data 1 ', 'Field 2:', ' Data 2 ', 'Field 3:', ' Data 3']

Your job would be much easier if the data was sanely formatted, with quoted strings and comma-separated records. This would admit the use of the csv module for parsing of comma-separated value files.

Edit:

You can filter out the blank entries with a list comprehension.

>>> a_non_empty = [s for s in a if s]
>>> a_non_empty
['Field 1:', ' Data 1 ', 'Field 2:', ' Data 2 ', 'Field 3:', ' Data 3']