gistfile1.txt

import optparse
import sys

def populate_with_regex(expr):
  # return list of int ids
  return [1, 2, 3]
  
def do_business_with_devices_list(lst):
  print("business: %s" % repr(lst))

def main():
  parser = optparse.OptionParser()
  parser.add_option("--devices", action="append", type="int")
  parser.add_option("--device-regex", type="string")
  
  (options, args) = parser.parse_args()
  
  if options.devices_regex:
    options.devices = populate_with_regex(options.regex)
    
  do_business_with_devices_list(options.devices)

if __name__ == '__main__':
  sys.exit(main())