The best way to filter a log by a dates range in python

Question

What\'s the best way to print log lines that match a datetime range. For example:

I would like to print only lines with dates from: 2012/09/30-00:00:10 to: 2012/09/

Answer 1

As per Tim's assumption you're reading a log file, line by line, then use itertools.

from itertools import dropwhile, takewhile

from_dt, to_td = '2012/09/30-00:00:10', '2012/09/30-00:00:13'
with open('logfile') as fin:
    of_interest = takewhile(lambda L: L <= to_td, dropwhile(lambda L: L < from_dt, fin))
    for line in of_interest:
        print line