Python regex match OR operator

Question

I\'m trying to match time formats in AM or PM.

i.e. 02:40PM
     12:29AM 

I\'m using the following regex

timePattern = re.compi         


        

Answer 1

Are you accidentally grabbing the 1st cluster (the stuff in that matches the portion of the pattern in the parentheses) instead of the "0st" cluster (which is the whole match)?