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Devin Hight
3,141 PointsWhy is it that the one space after the [\w ] makes all the difference?
What difference did the space on the first name expression make? Why did it work with the space, but not without one?
import re
string = 'Perotto, Pier Giorgio'
names = re.match(r'([\w]*),\s([\w ]*)',string, re.I)
#names = re.match(r'([\w]*),\s([\w]*)',string, re.I) the code I had before I figured out the space
2 Answers

Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,239 PointsThe space after the second \w
is needed to match with the space in between names "Pier Giorgio
".
Post back if you have more questions. Good luck!!!

Peter Vann
36,303 PointsHi Devin!
You need the space you discovered because the first name 'pier' is the first name and the only word in the string with an immediate trailing space.
This also passed for me:
import re
string = 'Perotto, Pier Giorgio'
names = re.match(r'([\w, ]*),\s([\w\s]*)',string, re.I)
So did this:
import re
string = 'Perotto, Pier Giorgio'
names = re.match(r'([\w,]*),\s([\w\s]*)',string, re.I)
More info:
https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_regex.asp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1PcJfzsUU0
I hope that helps.
Stay safe and happy coding!