Replace RegEx occurrences Java

Question

I have a string in Java like this:

REF([123],[456],[78]),REF([789],[456],[12]),{111},REF([8069],[8098],[56])

I need to remove all the third occurring digits inside all the REFs. Meaning I need to remove [78], [12] and [56] (starting from the second comma till before the closing brackets) from the string so that I get this following output:

REF([123],[456]),REF([789],[456]),{111},REF([8069],[8098])

What should my regex be?

Could there ever be four numbers in a REF, and if so, what should happen then? — Tim Pietzcker
– Tim Pietzcker, Commented Jan 10, 2014 at 9:48
There can not be a fourth number inside REF, Tim. Also REF could also exists as "ref" or "Ref", being case insensitive. — Rg90
– Rg90, Commented Jan 10, 2014 at 10:09

Tim Pietzcker · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-10 10:13:16Z

3

String result = subject.replaceAll(
    "(?xi)(      # Match and capture in group 1:\n" +
    "REF\\(      # REF(\n" +
    "\\[\\d+\\], # a number in brackets, comma,\n" +
    "\\[\\d+\\]  # a number in brackets\n" +
    ")           # End of capturing group\n" +
    ",\\[\\d+\\] # Match a comma and a third number in brackets", "$1");

edited Jan 10, 2014 at 10:13

answered Jan 10, 2014 at 9:40

Tim Pietzcker

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2 Comments

Keppil Over a year ago

Love the comments mode, haven't seen that before.

Rg90 Over a year ago

This is a precise and elegant solution. Beautifully explained as well. Thank you very much Tim.

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