Sub-patterns can be wrapped by parentheses to build a group. This enables to restrict alternations, back reference the group or apply quantifier to the sub-pattern.

If this group should not be part of the match result or if no reference to this group is required, a non-capturing group can be created by adding ?: behind the opening parenthesis.

However, if this non-capturing group does not have a quantifier, or does not wrap an alternation, then imaging this group is redundant.

Noncompliant Code Example

"(?:number)\\d{2}"

Compliant Solution

"number\\d{2}"      	// it is anyway required
"(?:number)?\\d{2}"  	// it is in fact optional

Exceptions

This rule does not report an issue if the non-capturing group is an alternation.

"(?:number|string)"