Java reg exp match pattern

Question

I'm trying to use regexp to parse a string like similar to this:

<tag>Text that is written here. This could happen here: <Inline::~Inline> </tag>

How can I use regexp to replace the "<" and ">" characters from Inline. Problem is that Inline might have a different name and inside the main tag one can see comparisons such as '< 20'.

Thanks.

Could you be more specific concerning to different name of Inline? Is it close list of names? Is it close format, i.g. ``? — AlexR, Feb 15 '12 at 13:28
I'm not sure on the possible values, but the format is the same — Radu, Feb 15 '12 at 13:29
In this case mark answer of user1168884 as correct because it *is*. — AlexR, Feb 15 '12 at 14:00

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 15 '12 at 13:43

3

Assuming that the inline tag:

has the same string in it twice, once preceded by a tilde
always has the two colons

then this should work:

    String s= "<tag>some text here > 20 <test::~test> and then </tag>";
    s = s.replaceAll("<((\\w+)::~\\2)>","$1");
    System.out.println(s);

regardless what Inline/Test is called.

EDITED - forgot to put TWO colons in :-)

answered Feb 15 '12 at 13:43

matt freake

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Regex grouping (i.e., the \\2 syntax) is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread! ;) – Andre Feb 15 '12 at 14:33

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

1

Since I think this is an answer worth, I write it as an answer instead of a comment:

RegEx match open tags except XHTML self-contained tags and of course the first answer to the question. So, to make it clear and short: Don't even try to use regular expressions.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Feb 15 '12 at 13:42

Martijn Courteaux

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 15 '12 at 13:29

0

This pattern should match any tag:

<(.|\n)*?>

So for the inline matching:

<Inline(.|\n)*?>

answered Feb 15 '12 at 13:29

James

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Java reg exp match pattern

3 Answers3