python-regexHow to match a UUID using Python regex?

Python regex can be used to match a UUID using the re module. The following example code will match a UUID:

import re

pattern = re.compile(r'[a-f0-9]{8}-?[a-f0-9]{4}-?4[a-f0-9]{3}-?[89ab][a-f0-9]{3}-?[a-f0-9]{12}\Z', re.I)

match = pattern.match('12345678-1234-4abc-8bcd-123456789abc')

if match:
    print('UUID matched!')

Output example

UUID matched!

The code consists of the following parts:

1. import re: imports the re module which provides regular expression matching operations.
2. pattern = re.compile(r'[a-f0-9]{8}-?[a-f0-9]{4}-?4[a-f0-9]{3}-?[89ab][a-f0-9]{3}-?[a-f0-9]{12}\Z', re.I): compiles the regular expression pattern which matches a UUID. The pattern consists of 8 hexadecimal digits, followed by an optional hyphen, followed by 4 hexadecimal digits, followed by an optional hyphen, followed by 4 hexadecimal digits, followed by an optional hyphen, followed by 3 hexadecimal digits, followed by an optional hyphen, followed by 12 hexadecimal digits. The re.I flag makes the pattern case-insensitive.
3. match = pattern.match('12345678-1234-4abc-8bcd-123456789abc'): attempts to match the pattern against the given string.
4. if match:: checks if the pattern matched the given string.
5. print('UUID matched!'): prints a message if the pattern matched the given string.

Helpful links

• Python Regular Expression Documentation

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