Python String replace()

The replace() method replaces each matching occurrence of a substring with another string.

Example

text = 'bat ball'

# replace 'ba' with 'ro' replaced_text = text.replace('ba', 'ro')
print(replaced_text) # Output: rot roll

replace() Syntax

Its syntax is:

str.replace(old, new [, count]) 

replace() Arguments

The replace() method can take a maximum of three arguments:

  • old - the old substring we want to replace
  • new - new substring which will replace the old substring
  • count (optional) - the number of times you want to replace the old substring with the new string

Note: If count is not specified, the replace() method replaces all occurrences of the old substring with the new string.


replace() Return Value

The replace() method returns a copy of the string where the old substring is replaced with the new string. The original string remains unchanged.

If the old substring is not found, it returns a copy of the original string.


Example 1: Using replace()

song = 'cold, cold heart'

# replacing 'cold' with 'hurt' print(song.replace('cold', 'hurt'))
song = 'Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be'
# replacing only two occurrences of 'let' print(song.replace('let', "don't let", 2))

Output

hurt, hurt heart
Let it be, don't let it be, don't let it be, let it be

More Examples on String replace()

song = 'cold, cold heart'
replaced_song = song.replace('o', 'e')
# The original string is unchanged print('Original string:', song) print('Replaced string:', replaced_song) song = 'let it be, let it be, let it be' # maximum of 0 substring is replaced # returns copy of the original string
print(song.replace('let', 'so', 0))

Output

Original string: cold, cold heart
Replaced string: celd, celd heart
let it be, let it be, let it be

Also Read:

Before we wrap up, let’s put your knowledge of Python string replace() to the test! Can you solve the following challenge?

Challenge:

Write a function to replace all occurrences of ':)' in a string with a smiley face emoji.

  • Define a function that takes a string as input.
  • Inside the function, use the replace method to replace all occurrences of ':)' with a smiley face emoji.
  • Return the modified string.
  • For example, with input 'Hello :) How are you :) ?', the output should be 'Hello 😊 How are you 😊 ?'
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