error replaceAll() java method

Question

I have these tags in my textarea

<gras>.....</gras>

And I'm trying to replace them using the replaceAll() String method

text.replaceAll("<gras>", "<b>");

text.replaceAll("</gras>", "</b>");

But, this regex code doesn't work. Any help please ?

What exactly are you trying to replace? Just the open tag? Open and close tags? Open and close tags and all the content within? — Smern
– Smern, Commented Aug 30, 2013 at 15:51
"doesn't work" is pretty vague. What happens? And why are you using replaceAll (which uses regular expressions) instead of replace? — Jon Skeet
– Jon Skeet, Commented Aug 30, 2013 at 15:51
Are you assigning the return value to anything? Remember that Strings are immutable in Java, and it returns the modified value instead of modifying the argument in-place. — Adam Rosenfield
– Adam Rosenfield, Commented Aug 30, 2013 at 15:52

JNL · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 16:30:43Z

5

You forgot a very important concept;

. Change text.replaceAll("<gras>", "Bold!");

To

text = text.replaceAll("<gras>", "Bold!");

Assign text = some Function, as text.replace() is creating a new String object and not referencing it.

Hope this helps.

edited Aug 30, 2013 at 16:30

answered Aug 30, 2013 at 15:53

JNL

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Comments

Edwin Buck · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-30 16:00:52Z

2

Strings don't replace. Strings construct new Strings with the replacement values.

Also, if you are dealing with XML, regex is the wrong tool. That doesn't mean it can't work, and it might be useful in some limited examples, but it shouldn't be the first tool to use. Much like a hammer shouldn't be the first tool to use when installing a screw.

answered Aug 30, 2013 at 16:00

Edwin Buck

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