Using re module better

[Tim Chase]

> if (match = re.search('(\w+)\s*(\w+)', foo)):

Caveat #1:  use a raw string here
Caveat #2:  inline assignment is verboten

   match = re.search(r'(\w+)\s*(\w*+)', foo)
   if match:

>     field1 = match.group(1)
>     field2 = match.group(2)

This should then work more or less.  However, since you know 
there are two matches, you can just use

   field1, field2 = match.groups()


If the regexp is one you plan to reuse (or call in a loop), you 
can pre-compile it:

   r = re.compile(r'(\w+)\s*(\w*+)')
   for thing in bunch_of_things:
     m = r.search(thing)
     if m:
       field1, field2 = m.groups()
       do_something(field1, field2)

HTH,

-tkc