String.replace() isn't working like I expect

Question

I am not understanding how to use the String.replace() method. Here is the code:

    CharSequence oldNumber = "0";
    CharSequence newNumber = "1";
    String example = "folderName_0";
    System.out.println("example = " + example);
    example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);
    System.out.println("example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);");
    System.out.println("example = " + example);

And it's outputting:

example = folderName_0
example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);
example = folderName_0 // <=== How do I make this folderName_1???

rgettman · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-04 21:21:45Z

2

The replace method isn't changing the contents of your string; Strings are immutable. It's returning a new string that contains the changed contents, but you've ignored the returned value. Change

example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);

with

example = example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);

answered Jun 4, 2015 at 21:21

rgettman

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M A · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-04 21:21:46Z

1

Strings are immutable. You need to re-assign the returned value of replace to the variable:

example = example.replace(oldNumber, newNumber);

answered Jun 4, 2015 at 21:21

M A

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Comments

Moni · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-04 21:43:31Z

0

String is a immutable object, when you are trying to change your string with the help of this code - example.replace(oldNumber,newNumber); it changed your string but it will be a new string and you are not holding that new string into any variable. Either you can hold this new string into a new variable, if you want to use your old string value later in your code like -

String changedValue = example.replace(oldNumber,newNumber);

or you can store in the existing string if you are not going to use your old string value later like -

example = example.replace(oldNumber,newNumber);

answered Jun 4, 2015 at 21:43

Moni

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