Pattern Matching Over Python Lists

[Kirk Strauser]

At 2008-06-17T05:55:52Z, Chris <chrisspen at gmail.com> writes:

> Is anyone aware of any prior work done with searching or matching a
> pattern over nested Python lists? I have this problem where I have a
> list like:
>
> [1, 2, [1, 2, [1, 7], 9, 9], 10]
>
> and I'd like to search for the pattern [1, 2, ANY] so that is returns:
>
> [1, 2, [1, 2, [6, 7], 9, 9], 10]
> [1, 2, [6, 7], 9, 9]

Hint: recursion.  Your general algorithm will be something like:

def compare(list, function):
    if function(list):
        print list
    for item in list:
        if item is a list:
            compare(item, function)

def check(list):
    if list starts with [1, 2] and length of the list > 2:
        return True
    else:
        return False
-- 
Kirk Strauser
The Day Companies