My regex pattern does not work

Question

I need to make pattern which will accept String in format (_,_) e.g: "(0,0)", "(1,3)", "(5,8)" etc.

I wrote condition as following:

if (name.equals("(\\d,\\d)")) {
   System.out.println("accepted")
}

As stated in the Regex Wiki FAQ, under "Flavor-specific meta-information" (third section from the bottom), the only java.lang.String functions that accept regular expressions are matches(s), replaceAll(s,s), replaceFirst(s,s), split(s), and split(s,i) — aliteralmind
– aliteralmind, Commented Apr 9, 2014 at 0:32

alex · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-09 00:16:50Z

3

You need to escape the parenthesis with \. They have special meaning in regex (for grouping).

You also need to call the correct method, one which matches with a regex, which isn't equals(), but matches().

answered Apr 9, 2014 at 0:16

alex

492k205 gold badges891 silver badges992 bronze badges

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

Comments

Makoto · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-09 00:21:19Z

1

name.equals() doesn't actually accept a regular expression. You're looking for matches(), which will accept a regular expression.

You'll also have to escape the parentheses, as they have special meaning in a regular expression.

if(name.matches("\\(\\d,\\d\\)") {
    System.out.println("accepted");
}

answered Apr 9, 2014 at 0:21

Makoto

107k29 gold badges200 silver badges236 bronze badges