Find and replace string within string

Question

I want to check whether within particular string exist two brackets (). Starting and ending bracket.

Dim example1 = "1x : (HxBxT) 80x120x44 cm"
Dim example2 = "1x : ( 80x120x44 cm"

In this case example1 contains both brackets: ( and closing one ) therefore it passed the case. In this case i would like to take entire value in this case (HxBxT) and then replace it by something (i will do that). After that i would like insert replace again so for instance at the end i would get this:

Dim example1 = "1x : (whatever i put here) 80x120x44 cm"

And example2 is invalid so you won't replace it?

Tim Schmelter
– Tim Schmelter

2017-12-21 09:59:04 +00:00
Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 9:59 — Tim Schmelter
– Tim Schmelter, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 9:59
Use regular expression \(.*\) within Regex class.

Alexander
– Alexander

2017-12-21 10:02:55 +00:00
Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 10:02 — Alexander
– Alexander, Commented Dec 21, 2017 at 10:02

Tim Schmelter · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-21 12:40:18Z

3

You can use regex:

example1 = Regex.Replace(example1, "\(.*\)", "(whatever i put here)")

If you just want to know if there are opening anc closing brackets you can either use regex:

Dim containsBrackets = Regex.IsMatch(example1, "\(.*\)")

or the VB.NET Like operator:

Dim containsBrackets = example1 like "*(*)*"

or String.IndexOf:

Dim indexOfOpeningBracket =  example1.IndexOf("(")
Dim indexOfClosingBracket =  example1.IndexOf(")", indexOfOpeningBracket + 1)
Dim containsBrackets = indexOfOpeningBracket >= 0 AndAlso indexOfClosingBracket > 0

This also enables you to get the part between the parentheses with Substring:

If containsBrackets
   indexOfOpeningBracket += 1 ' you dont want the parentheses itself but just the content
   Dim partBetween = example1.Substring(indexOfOpeningBracket, indexOfClosingBracket - indexOfOpeningBracket)
End If

edited Dec 21, 2017 at 12:40

answered Dec 21, 2017 at 10:06

Tim Schmelter

462k79 gold badges719 silver badges980 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

17 Comments

Tony Over a year ago

is there a way to firstly check to get yes/no as boolean if () are there and then extract this string and after that do something with it and then replace? More steps but is it possible>

Tim Schmelter Over a year ago

@Tony: i have shown you 3 different ways to get this Boolean. You also want to extract the old substring between the parentheses?

Tony Over a year ago

thx and how to get text itself inluding bracets to some variable?

Tim Schmelter Over a year ago

@Tony: then don't add 1 to indexOfOpeningBracket, so remove this line. But add 1 to the length, the second parameter of Substring: example1.Substring(indexOfOpeningBracket, indexOfClosingBracket - indexOfOpeningBracket + 1). Of course you could also use "(" & partBetween & ")"

Tony Over a year ago

great and if i want brackets? I will mark as answer.

|

MatSnow · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-21 10:08:17Z

0

In case you don't want to use Regex, you can try this:

Dim str As String = "1x : (HxBxT) 80x120x44 cm"
Dim newValue As String = "whatever i put here"
If str Like "*(*)*" Then
    str = String.Format("{0}{1}{2}",
                        Strings.Left(str, str.IndexOf("("c) + 1),
                        newValue,
                        Strings.Right(str, str.Length - str.IndexOf(")"c)))
End If

answered Dec 21, 2017 at 10:08

MatSnow

7,5573 gold badges22 silver badges32 bronze badges

Comments

Alexander · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-21 10:12:45Z

0

Use regular expressions within Regex methods.

Dim input As String = "x : (HxBxT) 80x120x44 cm" 
Dim pattern As String = "\(.*\)"
Dim replacement As String = "(whatever i put here)"
Dim rgx As New Regex(pattern)
Dim result As String = rgx.Replace(input, replacement)

answered Dec 21, 2017 at 10:12

Alexander

4,5527 gold badges31 silver badges46 bronze badges

Comments

Alexander · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-21 10:59:27Z

0

you can take help of indexOf method like this

Dim openBracket = myText.IndexOf("(")
Dim closeBracket = myText.IndexOf(")")

if any of openBracket and closeBracket is -1(meaning not found) your case is failed if both are 0 or >0 this means you case pass

then you can use subString method like this to get your string

Dim lenStr = openBracket + closeBracket + 1
dim repStr = myText.Substring(startIndex, lenStr)
dim newString = myText.Replace(repStr,"Whatever text you want to put here)"

I do not have access to VB.net so my syntax may be a little off but this will give you idea

edited Dec 21, 2017 at 10:59

Alexander

4,5527 gold badges31 silver badges46 bronze badges

answered Dec 21, 2017 at 10:06

BlindSniper

1,9233 gold badges18 silver badges32 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Find and replace string within string

4 Answers 4

17 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

17 Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related