How to find the last targeted string in a string by Python?

Question

We all know how to find the first targeted string in a string.

string.index('abc')

So this code will help me to find the first place that 'abc' appears in string.

However, I want to know how to find the last 'abc' location.

I already figured out an algorithm, but it is stupid.

1. reverse whole string and 'abc'.
2. temp_Location = string.index('cba')
3. exactly_Location = len(string) - temp_Location - len('cba')

I know it is really silly... Can somebody tell me how to do it smart?

Thanks a lot. :)

Alex · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-04 03:57:53Z

4

s = 'abcabc'
s.rindex('abc')  # evaluates to 3

answered Mar 4, 2016 at 3:57

Alex

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2 Comments

Oh my god... I didn't know this convenient function before! Deeply thank you!

@MarsLee :) glad it helped

cgnorthcutt · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-04 04:08:14Z

1

You can also use the Python regex library, which will provide more functionality if needed.

In your case, you could simply do:

import re
s = 'abcabc'
[i.start() for i in re.finditer('abc', s)][-1] #last index from all match indices

answered Mar 4, 2016 at 4:08

cgnorthcutt

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This method is cool! I am also working hard on Regex. Thank you for giving me a new thinking! I will upvote you :)