python-regexHow to use a regex capture group in Python?

Regex capture groups are used to group parts of a regular expression together so that they can be referenced later. In Python, capture groups are accessed using the group() method of the Match object.

Example code

import re

text = "The cat in the hat"

match = re.search(r"(\w+) in the (\w+)", text)

if match:
    print(match.group(1))
    print(match.group(2))

Output example

cat
hat

Code explanation

1. import re: This imports the re module which contains the functions needed to use regular expressions in Python.
2. text = "The cat in the hat": This creates a string variable containing the text to be searched.
3. match = re.search(r"(\w+) in the (\w+)", text): This uses the re.search() function to search for a pattern in the text. The pattern is enclosed in parentheses to create two capture groups.
4. if match:: This checks if a match was found.
5. print(match.group(1)): This prints the first capture group.
6. print(match.group(2)): This prints the second capture group.

Helpful links

• Python Regular Expressions
• Python re.search() Method
• Python re.Match Object

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