import re

pattern = 'this'
text = 'Does this text match the pattern"{0}"\nin "{1}"'.format(match.re.pattern, match.string))
print('from {0} to {1} ("{2}")'.format( s, e, text[s:e]))

#python re_simple_match.py 
Found "this"
in "Does this text match the pattern"
from 5 to 9 ("this")
import re

# Precompile the patterns
regexes = [ re.compile(p) for p in ('this', 'that')]
text = 'Does this text match the pattern"{0}" -> {1}'.format(regex.pattern, result))

#python re_simple_compiled.py 
Text: Does this text match the pattern"this" -> match!
Seeking "that" -> no match!

import re

text = 'abbaaabbbbaaaaa'

pattern = 'ab'

for match in re.findall(pattern, text):
  print('Found "{0}"'.format(match))

#python re_findall.py 
Found "ab"
Found "ab"

import re

text = 'abbaaabbbbaaaaa'

pattern = 'ab'

for match in re.finditer(pattern, text):
  s = match.start()
  e = match.end()
  print('Found "{0}" at {1}:{2}'.format(text[s:e], s, e))

#python re_finditer.py 
Found "ab" at 0:2
Found "ab" at 5:7