How to use a regexp here

[Rick Johnson]

Cecil Westerhof wrote:
> Joel Goldstick writes:

[...]

> > I like Ned's clear answer, but I'm wondering why the
> > original code would fail because the substring is at the
> > start of the line, since 'in' would still be true no
> > matter where the desired string is placed.  It would be
> > useful to see some sample data of the old data, and the
> > new data

@Goldstick

"Inclusion testing" will return false positives when the target is part of a
larger structure (aka: word). Observe:

    >>> s = "Complex is better than complicated."
    >>> "plex" in s
    True
    >>> "om" in s
    True
    >>> s.count("om")
    2

I'm sure you already know this, and only made the comment because you did not
have all the data, but i thought it would be good to mention for any lurkers
who may be watching.

> There is now also a line that starts with: PCH_CPU_TEMP:
> And I do not want that one.

Yes. But be aware, that while the `str.startswith(target)` method is indeed
more efficient than a more generalized "inclusion test", if the target is not
_always_ at the beginning of the string, then your code is going to skip right
over valid match like a round stone skipping across the surface of a
glass-smooth lake. But if you are sure the target will always be at the
beginning of the string, then it is the best choice.

> --
> Cecil Westerhof
> Senior Software Engineer

Perhaps it's not politically correct for me to say this, but i've never been
one who cared much about political correctness, so i'm just going to say it...

If you really are a "_Senior_ software engineer", and that title is not simply
an ego-booster bestowed by your boss to a one-person-dev-team in order to avoid
 pay raises, then i would expect more competence from someone who holds such an
 esteemed title.

And even *IF* you are only vaguely familiar with Python, and even *IF*, you
rarely use Python in your projects, i don't think it's too much to ask of a
~~Senior~~ Software Engineer that they possess the basic skills required to
peruse the Python documentation and decide which method is most appropriate for
 the situation at hand. And if you're using Python on a regular basis, then you
 should be intimately familiar with _all_ methods of each major type.

Granted, your question did "hint" about the possibility of using a regexp
(although, based on the data you have provided so far, a string method will
suffice), but i would also expect a ~~Senior~~ Software Engineer to not only be
 knowledgeable of regexps, but also know when they are a strength and when they
 are a weakness.

Now, there are one of two ways you can take this advice:

    (1) You can take it as a personal attack; get all huffy
    about it; drop to the floor and flail your arms and legs
    like a petulant two-year-old who didn't get the toy he
    wanted; and learn nothing in the process.

or

    (2) You can take it as what it is -> constructive criticism;
    shower me with gratitude[1]; and become a better person and
    a better programmer in the process.

The choice is yours.


[1] Well, i had to sneak something in there for myself, after all, it is the
season of giving, yes? O:-)

    Here comes santa claws...
    Here comes santa claws...
    ...