replace 2 newlines with one - php preg_replace()

Question

I am triyng to replace 2 or more newlines with just 1 using PHP's preg_replace() function

$entry = preg_replace('/\n{2,}/', '\n', $entry);

However it replaces it with a "\n" instead of a newline. I mean, it sees \n as a normal string with two letters. What should i do?

That's how PHP interprets strings within single quotation marks. You need double quotes around `\n`. — revo, Mar 24 '18 at 14:50
You have to read php basics about [strings](https://secure.php.net/manual/en/language.types.string.php) — Casimir et Hippolyte, Mar 24 '18 at 14:50
[It works if you use "\n" as the replacement](http://rextester.com/DHYK89462). — Tim Biegeleisen, Mar 24 '18 at 14:52
@revo damn! how could i know that? if you add an answer i'll accept it. I tihnk question will be helpful for some. — kai, Mar 24 '18 at 14:53

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 24 '18 at 14:55

In php, there are some differences between double quotes and single quotes: PHP: different quotes?. To answer your question, all you need to do is replace the single quotes with double quotes as shown here:

$entry = preg_replace('/\n{2,}/', "\n", $entry);

You can read all about strings in php in the documentation: https://secure.php.net/manual/en/language.types.string.php

replace 2 newlines with one - php preg_replace()

1 Answers1