Extract values from a Java String

Question

I have Java string('s) in the format below:

String s = "[
    "samsung",

    ["samsung galaxy s9 case","samsung galaxy s8 case","samsung galaxy s9 plus case","samsung galaxy s8 charger"],

    [{"nodes":[{"name":"Cell Phones & Accessories","alias":"mobile"}]},{},{},{},{},{},{},{},{},{}],

    [],

    "1XQ3CN8WM8VSE"
]"

What's the best way to process the String so I can get these values (of 2nd item enclosed with [])

"samsung galaxy s9 case","samsung galaxy s8 case","samsung galaxy s9 plus case","samsung galaxy s8 charger"

inside a List<String>?

Update

The String is valid JSON and tested with the code

public static boolean isJSONValid(String test) {
        try {
            new JSONObject(test);
        } catch (JSONException ex) {
            // edited, to include @Arthur's comment
            // e.g. in case JSONArray is valid as well...
            try {
                new JSONArray(test);
            } catch (JSONException ex1) {
                return false;
            }
        }
        return true;
    }

I also tried to parse it as JSON (as suggested) but I get exception provided.

JSONObject obj = new JSONObject(s);

Exception in thread "main" org.json.JSONException: A JSONObject text must begin with '{' at 1 [character 2 line 1] .

My String always starts with [..]

Please don't try to post code as a comment on your question. Instead, just edit your question to add any additional information that is required to answer it. — azurefrog
– azurefrog, Commented Feb 27, 2019 at 17:43
"I believe that using the regex to process will be better idea" You believe wrong. Using regex is a terrible idea for parsing JSON. — Andreas
– Andreas, Commented Feb 27, 2019 at 17:44
The JSON code fails because the JSON text is a JSON Array (starts with [), not a JSON Object (starts with {). Use new JSONArray(test) instead. Please learn JSON if you're going to work with it. See json.org — Andreas
– Andreas, Commented Feb 27, 2019 at 17:46

Rendón · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-27 19:07:50Z

That format is not a valid json that´s why you are getting that error, one simple way to get the String you want is using an split method and then storage it in the your prefer collections.

public static void main(String args[]){
    String s = "[samsung,[\"samsung galaxy s9 case\",\"samsung galaxy s8 case\",\"samsung galaxy s9 plus case\",\"samsung galaxy s8 charger\"],[{\"nodes\":[{\"name\":\"Cell Phones & Accessories\",\"alias\":\"mobile\"}]},{},{},{},{},{},{},{},{},{}],[],\"1XQ3CN8WM8VSE\"]";

    String[] splitedFullString = s.split(",\\[");
    String sequence = splitedFullString[1];
    sequence = sequence.replaceAll("]", "");
    sequence = sequence.replaceAll("\"", "");
    String[] splitSequence = sequence.split(",");

    List<String> list = new ArrayList<>(); 
    for(String item : splitSequence){
        list.add(item);
    }
    for(String item : list){
        System.out.println(item);
    }
}

Arefe · Accepted Answer · 2019-02-27 17:52:45Z

0

I write the code with the help of the answer of Andreas,

    JSONArray obj = new JSONArray(s);

    String str = obj.get(1).toString();
    String[] arr = str.substring(1, str.length()-1).split(",");

This works fine now. Thank you.

answered Feb 27, 2019 at 17:52

Arefe

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