# DataTree rule notation

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/datatree-rule-notation/75994>\
**Category:** Grasshopper\
**Tags:** grasshopper\
**Created:** [December 7, 2018, 10:10pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/datatree-rule-notation/75994 "2018-12-07T22:10:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![DavidRutten](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/davidrutten/32/755688_2.png) [@DavidRutten](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/DavidRutten)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2018, 9:42am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/datatree-rule-notation/75994/2 "2018-12-08T09:42:58Z")

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The asterisk represents any number of integers, including zero. The question mark represents any single integer. So assuming a path which looks like {0;1;2}, you’ll get a match with {?;?;?} and with {?;?;2} but not with {?;?}.

When using asterisks, you have a lot more flexibility. {\*} will match any imaginable path. {\*;2} will match any path ending in 2. {\*;2;\*} will match any path containing 2, even if it only starts or ends with a 2.

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