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Consolidate pathlib.PurePath.match() and full_match() #139282
Description
Activity
match, the original.
fullmatch, added in 3.13.
Both have signaturepattern, *, case_sensitive=None.
Match had these restrictions and difference:empty patterns aren’t allowed (ValueError is raised), the recursive wildcard “**” isn’t supported (it acts like non-recursive “*”), and if a relative pattern is provided, then matching is done from the right:
Since added recently, fullmatch might not have great usage yet. In 3.15, could add, for instance, 'full=False' to match and change doc to match. Deprecate 'fullmatch', with removal multiple versions away, such as 5 (no hurry).
Reacted by Barney GaleThank you Terry for the helpful guidance :)
- added a commit that references this issue
on Sep 25, 2025
Whichever fool (me!) added
pathlib.PurePath.full_match()should have given more consideration to adding an argument tomatch()instead of a new method. The behaviour isn't that different. The fact we have two very similar methods is a bit of a wart. It's hopefully not too late to rectify.Linked PRs
pathlib.PurePath.match()#139311