Wildcards in Python

The Python wildcards are not a built-in concept like they are in some other programming languages or in command-line shells. However, you can achieve similar functionality using various libraries and techniques. Here are a few ways to implement wildcard-like behavior in Python:

1. Using the fnmatch Module:
   The fnmatch module in Python allows you to perform Unix shell-style wildcard pattern matching on strings. It’s handy for matching file names or other strings against patterns with wildcards. Here’s an example:

 import fnmatch

 # List of file names
 files = ["file1.txt", "file2.jpg", "file3.py", "document.docx"]

 # Match files with a "*.txt" extension
 txt_files = [file for file in files if fnmatch.fnmatch(file, "*.txt")]
 print(txt_files)

This will match and print ["file1.txt"].

2. Using Regular Expressions:
   Regular expressions (regex) provide powerful pattern matching capabilities. You can use regex to implement more complex wildcard patterns. The re module in Python allows you to work with regular expressions. For example:

 import re

 # List of strings
 strings = ["apple", "banana", "cherry", "date"]

 # Match strings starting with "b" or "c"
 pattern = re.compile(r"^[bc]")
 matched_strings = [s for s in strings if pattern.match(s)]
 print(matched_strings)

This will match and print ["banana", "cherry"].

3. Using the glob Module:
   The glob module in Python is commonly used to search for files using wildcard patterns. It allows you to find files in directories that match a specified pattern. For example:

 import glob

 # List files in the current directory with a "*.txt" extension
 txt_files = glob.glob("*.txt")
 print(txt_files)

This will list all .txt files in the current directory.

4. Custom Function:
   You can also implement custom wildcard matching functions using string manipulation or other techniques depending on your specific requirements. For simple cases, you might use string methods like startswith() or endswith().

The approach you choose depends on the complexity of your wildcard matching needs. For simple patterns, the fnmatch or glob modules may suffice, while for more complex patterns, regular expressions provide a more powerful and flexible solution.