about the question : "What would be the result of len(match.groups()) of a match of (a)(b(?:c)(d)(?:e))?"

Question

1. explanation required, and the answer. kind of stuck here.
2. is this some sort of mathematical standard function or expression?

(chapter: regular expressions > groups)

please help. thanks and regards...

Answer 1

In the page 5th of that lesson says:Non-capturing groups have the format (?:...).
this means they are not considered by capturing methods. In the problem you dont have to count them. five groups but two are no considered so the answer is 3.