Python re.split()

The .split() method of the re module divides a string into substrings at each occurrence of the specified character(s). This method is a good alternative to the default .split() string method for instances that require matching multiple characters.

Syntax

re.split(<pattern>, string, <maxsplit>, <flags>)

A <pattern> is a regular expression that can include any of the following:

• A string: Jane Smith
• A character class code: /w, /s , /d
• A regex symbol: $, |, ^

The other arguments include:

• An integer for the maximum number of splits (max split): 4
• Flags: IGNORECASE, VERBOSE, DOTALL

Example

The following example illustrates a basic implementation of the .split() method:

import re

text = '**Note:** This method only takes positive arguments'

print(re.split(r"\*\*|:", text))
# The backslashes indicate that the asterisks are part of the pattern

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The code will yield:

['', 'Note', '', ' This method only takes positive arguments']

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Codebyte Example

The following example is runnable and uses the .split() method to reformat a list of colors:

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