"initiates(^) with two integers(\d\d)[...]"

I correct myself, "two digits*".

Might not have needed to use .copy() as sorted() does not make a definite change to the original array.

Better performance-wise? As far as I know, as a beginner, there's no difference. Personally, I find the former more readable, there's just something about organizing steps (in this case, the placement of parentheses to establish the order of the operations) that makes code look more appealing.

Patterns for-loop totally uncalled-or, by the way.

Could've avoided using three string case methods where only one ( .upper() ) would do. Oh well.