Replace group 1 of a regex with variable in python

Question

text = "abcde"
var = "X"
text = re.sub("b(c)d", var, text)

Actual output: aXe
Wanted output: abXde

It's replacing the whole pattern, I only want it to replace group 1 of the pattern. How do I make regex do this?

Probable duplicate of: https://stackoverflow.com/q/42104540/42346 — mechanical_meat, May 25 '20 at 19:15
@MayankSoni Obviously that would work, but the point is I need the surrounding text for reference, but I don't want to include it in the replacement. — user2704576, May 25 '20 at 19:15

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered May 25 '20 at 19:09

0

I guess this will do the job:

^([a])([b])([^\n]+)([a])([b])$

for verification you can use regex101 website.

answered May 25 '20 at 19:09

FZL

1 Answers1