# How do I read a CPE string? #### CPE format CPE follows this format: `cpe::::::::::::` * `cpe_version`: This is the version of the CPE definition. As of this writing, the latest CPE definition version is 2.3. * `part`: This can be one of three values: a for Applications, h for Hardware, o for Operating systems. It is sometimes referred to as type. * `vendor`: This identifies the person or organization that manufactured or created this dependency component. * `product`: This is the name of the system/package/component. * `version`: This is the version of the system/package/component. * `update`: This shows any update or service pack information, also known as minor versions. * `edition`: This describes the build of the system/package/component beyond version. * `sw_edition` (2.3 only): This indicates the language of the system/package/component, such as en-us for US English. * `target_sw` (2.3 only): This indicates the language of the system/package/component, such as en-us for US English. * `target_hw` (2.3 only): This indicates the language of the system/package/component, such as en-us for US English. * other (2.3 only): This indicates the language of the system/package/component, such as en-us for US English. #### What does a wildcard in a CPE string mean? Anything that is a wildcard (\*) means that no particular value was provided for that section, so it will encompass any applicable value in that section. **Examples** ***Application:***\ If the URI is `cpe:/a:microsoft:office:2007:sp2:professional` then the CPE string is:\ `cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:office:2007:sp2:-:*:professional:*:*:*` ***Operating system:***\ If the URI is\ `cpe:/o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:x64` then the CPE string is:\ `cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:-:*:*:*:x64:*` ***Hardware (not supported in an SBOM):***\ If the URI is `cpe:/h:3com:3c13612` then the CPE string is:\ `cpe:2.3:h:3com:3c13612:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*` ***What does a wildcard indicate?***\ Anything that is a wildcard (\*) means that no particular value was provided for that section, so it will encompass any applicable value in that section.
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