Understanding Regular Expressions in Python

Regular expressions (regex) in Python are powerful tools for matching patterns in strings, similar to those found in Perl. The re module allows users to work with both Unicode and byte strings, though they cannot be mixed. To simplify the use of backslashes in regex patterns, raw string notation (prefixing the string with 'r') is recommended. The module provides various functions for pattern matching, including searching, replacing, and splitting strings based on regex patterns. Special characters and sequences in regex enhance its functionality, allowing for complex pattern definitions. The text outlines the syntax for regex, the functions available in the re module, and provides examples of how to implement regex for tasks such as validation, extraction, and data manipulation.

• Regular expressions match patterns in strings.
• The re module supports Unicode and byte strings.
• Raw string notation helps simplify regex syntax.
• Functions include search(), match(), sub(), and findall().
• Special characters and sequences enhance pattern definitions.