Java String matches error with REGEX

Question

I have to split a String if it has this format below

String test="City: East Khasi Hills";

and some times i may get String test="City:";

I want to match the pattern if there is any words after ":",

I am using

String city=test.matches(":(.*)")?test.split(":")[1].trim():"";

But my regex is returning false. tired of debugging by the way i am using regex online tool to test my string.

I am getting a match in the tool. but java is returning me false.

Don't use Regex101 for Java. It doesn't support the Java flavor of regex. Test with RegexPlanet instead. — RealSkeptic
– RealSkeptic, Commented Jul 18, 2015 at 9:40
Also, how do you split the String in the first place, and why? — RealSkeptic
– RealSkeptic, Commented Jul 18, 2015 at 9:41
i need to get the word after ":", if there is words else empty string — saikiran
– saikiran, Commented Jul 18, 2015 at 10:14

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-18 09:51:31Z

4

You don't really need both matches and split both. Just use split like this:

String[] arr = "City: East Khasi Hills".split("\\s*:\\s*");
String city = arr.length==2 ? arr[1] : "";
//=> "East Khasi Hills"

answered Jul 18, 2015 at 9:51

anubhava

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5 Comments

anubhava Over a year ago

This answer will still work by giving you text after :\s* in arr[1]

anubhava Over a year ago

For what input it didn't work and what was your expected result?

saikiran Over a year ago

if i have string like "city: " , in this case split won't work

anubhava Over a year ago

Split will surely work and you will get an empty value in arr[1]. Once again what is your expected result for this input?

saikiran Over a year ago

Let us continue this discussion in chat.

Fernando Costa · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-18 10:41:06Z

0

First of all, I think you need to check if your overall pattern matches as expected. So, you can try something like this:

String str = "City: East Khasi Hills";
// Test if your pattern matches
if (str.matches("(\\w)+:(\\s(\\w)+)*")) {
    // Split your string
    String[] split = str.split(":");
    // Get the information you need
    System.out.println("Attribute name: "  + split[0]);
    System.out.println("Attribute value: " + split[1].trim());
}

answered Jul 18, 2015 at 10:41

Fernando Costa

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1 Comment

saikiran Over a year ago

my question is what if doesn't matches the pattern, any way it got resolved thanks for your time @Fernando

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