python re regex matching in string with multiple () parenthesis-CodePudding

I have this string

cmd = "show run IP(k1) new Y(y1) add IP(dev.maintserial):Y(dev.maintkeys)"

What is a regex to first match exactly "IP(dev.maintserial):Y(dev.maintkeys)"

I though of something like this: re.search('(IP\(.*?\):Y\(.*?\))', cmd) but this will also match the single IP(k1) and Y(y1

My usage will be:

If "IP(*):Y(*)" in cmd:
 do substitution of IP(dev.maintserial):Y(dev.maintkeys) to Y(dev.maintkeys.IP(dev.maintserial))

CodePudding user response：

This should work as it is more restrictive. (IP\([^\)] \):Y\(.*?\))

"[^\)] " means at least one character that isn't a closing parenthesis.

".*?" in yours is too open ended allowing almost anything to be in until "):Y("

CodePudding user response：

Something like this?

r"IP\(([^)]*\.. )\):Y\(([^)]*\.. )\)"

You can try it with your string. It matches the entire string IP(dev.maintserial):Y(dev.maintkeys) with groups dev.maintserial and dev.maintkeys.

The RE matches IP(, zero or more characters that are not a closing parenthesis ([^)]*), a period . (\.), one or more of any characters (. ), then ):Y(, ... (between the parentheses -- same as above), ).