python-regexHow to match a YYYY-MM-DD date with Python Regex?

Python Regex can be used to match a YYYY-MM-DD date. The following example code block shows how to do this:

import re

date_string = '2020-01-01'

date_regex = re.compile(r'(\d{4})-(\d{2})-(\d{2})')

match = date_regex.match(date_string)

if match:
  print('Year:', match.group(1))
  print('Month:', match.group(2))
  print('Day:', match.group(3))

The output of the example code is:

Year: 2020
Month: 01
Day: 01

Code explanation

• import re: imports the Python Regex module
• date_string = '2020-01-01': sets the date string to match
• date_regex = re.compile(r'(\d{4})-(\d{2})-(\d{2})'): compiles the Regex pattern to match the date string
• match = date_regex.match(date_string): matches the date string with the Regex pattern
• if match:: checks if the date string matches the Regex pattern
• print('Year:', match.group(1)): prints the year part of the date string
• print('Month:', match.group(2)): prints the month part of the date string
• print('Day:', match.group(3)): prints the day part of the date string

Helpful links

• Python Regex Documentation
• Regular Expression HOWTO

Edit this code on GitHub