Time out a regular expression in Python 2.6.4?

[Steve Holden]

python at bdurham.com wrote:
> Is there any way to time out a regular expression in Python 2.6.4?
>  
> Motiviation: Our application allows users to enter regular expressions
> as validation criteria. If a user enters a pathological regular
> expression, we would like to timeout the evaluation of this expression
> after a short period of time.
>  
Python itself does not contain any mechanism to terminate an operation
if it takes too much time.

One approach would be to run the regex in a subprocess, and apply
process limits to terminate that subprocess if it ran too long.

This group being what it is you are likely to receive other, better
suggestions too.

regards
 Steve
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