Python - parsing apache config with regexp

Question

I want to parse configuration files like apache2.conf, which looks like this:

<Group group1>
   param1 1

   <SomeGroup group3>
      param3 3
   </SomeGroup>
</Group>

<Group group2>
   param2 2
</Group>

Regexp:

re.findall(r'\</?[^\>]+\>([\s\S]+)\<//?[^\>]+\>', text, re.MULTILINE)

if I use lazy regexp, it cuts like this:

<Group group1>
   param1 1

   <SomeGroup group3>
      param3 3
   </SomeGroup>

If I use greedy regexp, it cuts all the text. So, what is the correct way to parse it? Or is there any libraries?

__Don't parse XML with regex.__ http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1732348/regex-match-open-tags-except-xhtml-self-contained-tags/1732454#1732454 — Katriel, Jul 14 '11 at 12:51
possible duplicate of [Any python libs for parsing apache config files?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/237209/any-python-libs-for-parsing-apache-config-files) — Katriel, Jul 14 '11 at 12:53
Still, using regexes on this kind of data is just not a good idea. Build a parser if one does not already exist. A regex (if even possible) will become horribly convoluted quickly. — carlpett, Jul 14 '11 at 12:54
@katrielalex not a duplicate - the main question is how to write correct regexp. — artem, Jul 14 '11 at 12:59

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 14 '11 at 13:15

2

Augeas has python bindings.

answered Jul 14 '11 at 13:15

Flavius

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Thanks, I'll try to use this lib! – artem Jul 14 '11 at 13:20
Augeas is kind of weird and hard to use. – Andy Grover Nov 21 '13 at 00:48

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

1

There is no way to do this with regexp alone. The regexp engine has no state, so you can only parse very simple input. See here for other options: Any python libs for parsing apache config files?

edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

Community

1
1

answered Jul 14 '11 at 13:07

Aaron Digulla

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Python - parsing apache config with regexp

2 Answers2