Javascript String Parsing

Question

I am trying to parse a string in this format

[something](something something) [something](something something)

and I want to break on every space that is not between a set of parenthesis?

I tried using js string.split with this as the regex /[^\(].*\s+.*[^\)]/g, but it doesn't work? Any suggestions appreciated :-)

EDIT: I don't want to post this as an answer, because I want to leave it open to comments but I finally found a solution.

var a = "the>[the](the the) the>[the](the the) the"
var regex = /\s+(?!\w+[\)])/
var b = a.split(regex)
alert(b.join("+++"))

(mis)?quoted from jwz: "Many people, when faced with a problem, think to themselves, 'I know! I'll use regular expressions!' Now they have two problems." — riwalk, Aug 01 '11 at 20:35
there wouldn't be a need to nest them, they are just there to prevent strings which normally would include spaces, keep there spaces when paresd — rubixibuc, Aug 01 '11 at 20:40
So "(input input) input (input)" could be a sample string which would become "(input input)" "input" "(input)" — rubixibuc, Aug 01 '11 at 20:50

gnur · Answer 1 · 2011-08-01T20:35:55.687

2

Is your input always this consistent? If it is, it could be as simple as splitting your string on ') ['

If it isn't, is it possible to just take what is between [ and )? Or is there some kind of nesting that is going on?

edited Aug 01 '11 at 20:35

answered Aug 01 '11 at 20:28

gnur

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It isn't always like this, that was just a controlled example – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:30
I need to be able to break on certain spaces unless they are between parenthesis – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:30
@rubixibuc can you also answer SLaks question? – gnur Aug 01 '11 at 20:35
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What does "break on" mean here? I think some _extensive_ sample input and output would be useful. – Lightness Races in Orbit Aug 01 '11 at 20:39
Break on just mean split the string on which ever pattern – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:41
I want (foo bar) foo to be split into to strings "(foo bar)" and "foo" – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:42
There isn't nesting but it doesn't necessarily have to be in that form – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:46
I need to split on spaces that exist except ones that are between parenthesis – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:47
That example was contrived to give a certain possible case -- sry should have been more specific – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:47

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

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You are using the wrong tool for the job.

As was alluded to in this famous post, regular expressions cannot parse non-regular languages, and the "balanced parenthesis" problem cannot be described by a regular language.

Have you tried writing a parser instead?

EDIT:

It seems that you've finally clarified that nesting is not a requirement. In that case, I'd suggest gnur's solution.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:19

Community

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answered Aug 01 '11 at 20:32

riwalk

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Sure, but in this case it is very possible to use a regular expression if the rules are very well known. – gnur Aug 01 '11 at 20:38
what about another symbol like quotes, could split on everything except what is between quotes or is that the same thing? – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:39
@gnur, and that is the crux of the matter. I don't know if nested parenthesis are allowed. If nested parenthesis are not allowed, then go for it. If nested parenthesis *are* allowed, then an unholy child will weep the blood of virgins, and Russian hackers will pwn his webapp. – riwalk Aug 01 '11 at 20:40
what makes you think his input is not regular? – automagic Aug 01 '11 at 20:40
@James Connell, read more of the requests for clarification. The author REFUSES to answer whether or not nested parenthesis are allowed. If they are, then the input is not regular. – riwalk Aug 01 '11 at 20:42
There doesn't need to be nested parenthesis :-) – rubixibuc Aug 01 '11 at 20:43
@stargazer712 refuses? He did answer that there won't be a need for nesting before your comment. – gnur Aug 01 '11 at 20:43
@rubixibug, then use gnur's solution. – riwalk Aug 01 '11 at 20:43
@gnur, chill. The two comments posted less than 1 minute apart. Sheesh. – riwalk Aug 01 '11 at 20:45
@stargazer ok, just thought that shouting REFUSES was a bit unneeded when the original question wasn't even 10 minutes old, no hard feelings. – gnur Aug 01 '11 at 20:48

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 01 '11 at 20:59

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This regex will do exactly what you asked, and nothing more:

'[x](x x) [x](x x)'.split(/ +(?![^\(]*\))/);

answered Aug 01 '11 at 20:59

chjj

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Javascript String Parsing

3 Answers3