>>> name = 'Guido'
>>> n = 37
>>> print(sub('Hello {name}'))
Hello Guido
>>> print(sub('You have {n} messages.'))
You have 37 messages.
>>> print(sub('Your favorite color is {color}'))
Your favorite color is {color}
>>> import string
>>> s = string.Template('$name has $n messages.')
>>> s.substitute(vars())
'Guido has 37 messages.'