code

def solve(string, regex):

    left_regex, right_regex = regex.split("*")

    left = right = -1

    for idx in range(len(string)):
        i = 0
        ptr = idx

        while i < len(left_regex) and ptr < len(string) and string[ptr] == left_regex[i]:
            ptr += 1
            i += 1

        if i == len(left_regex): # matched left regex
            left = idx
            break


    for idx in range(len(string) - 1, -1, -1):
        i = len(right_regex) - 1
        ptr = idx

        while i >= 0 and ptr > left and string[ptr] == right_regex[i]:
            ptr -= 1
            i -= 1

        if i == -1: # matched right regex
            right = idx
            break

    if -1 in (left, right):
        return -1

    return right - left + 1


def main():
    tc = [("abcmnobcd", "abc*bcd"), ("abc", "a*"), ("abcd", "a*e")]

    for string, regex in tc:
        result = solve(string, regex)
        print(result)

main()