re.match()

Regex

Attempts to match a regex pattern at the beginning of a string.

Signature

re.match(pattern, string)

Returns

Match | None

Example

import re
m = re.match(r'\d+', '42 apples')
if m:
    print(m.group())  # '42'

About re.match()

re.match is a Python regex function with the signature re.match(pattern, string). Attempts to match a regex pattern at the beginning of a string. It returns a value of type Match | None.

Python provides a rich set of built-in functions and standard library modules that cover common programming tasks. Understanding these functions helps you write more idiomatic, efficient Python code. The re.matchfunction is commonly used in data processing, web development, scripting, and automation tasks.

When working with re.match(), consider edge cases like empty inputs, None values, and type mismatches. Python's duck typing means many built-in functions work with any object that implements the required protocol (e.g., __len__ for len(), __iter__ for iteration). This flexibility is a key strength of Python's design philosophy.

Related Functions

re.search()re.findall()re.sub()re.compile()