Why does single pipe character confuse java split method? [duplicate]

Question

Try the following:

String[] = "abcde|12345|xyz".split("|");

The results will not be as (at least I..) anticipated.

Using any other character seems to be ok.

String[] = "abcde,12345,xyz".split(",");

So what is special with the pipe?

ced-b · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-13 04:44:19Z

15

Java String.split() expects a RegExp and the pipe character has special meaning in RegExps other than a comma. Try the following:

String[] = "abcde|12345|xyz".split("\\|");

answered Sep 13, 2013 at 4:44

ced-b

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2 Comments

WestCoastProjects Over a year ago

figured that one out - but will grant the answer since it includes the solution as well.

madteapot Over a year ago

I am sorry moderators for "Thank you" comment but I was struggling for this piece of solution and finally found it here...

Patrick Collins · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-13 04:38:57Z

7

The split method is expecting a regular expression, and "|" is a special character in regex world: http://www.tutorialspoint.com/java/java_string_split.htm

answered Sep 13, 2013 at 4:38

Patrick Collins

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1 Comment

WestCoastProjects Over a year ago

aha! interesting it is default to use regex. thx. So.. how does one escape it to do what I want? Oh wait i got it -- need to escape the backslash .. so as such: split("\\|")

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