python -- re.match vs. re.search

Question

I have recently been jumping into understanding regex with python.

I have been looking at the api; I can't seem to understand the difference between:

re.match vs. re.search

when is it best to use each of these? pros? cons?

Please and thank you.

Answer 1

re.match() matches only from the beginning of the string. A common gotcha. See the documentation.

Answer 2

From Matching vs. Searching:

match checks for a match only at the beginning of the string, while search checks for a match anywhere in the string.

>>> re.match("c", "abcdef")  # No match
>>> re.search("c", "abcdef") # Match
<_sre.SRE_Match object at ...>

Answer 3

I just learned you can also search for substrings this way:

if 'c' in 'abcdef'

True