use php, grep and regex to search and replace lines of code in file

Question

I have a php file that can read the contents of other files perfectly and return them as a string.

$contents = $file->read(); // return as string.

i need to be able to search and replace certain lines

lines that begin with $this->Session->setFlash and end with , true)); must be replaced with

lines that begin with $this->Session->setFlash and end with , true), 'default', array('class'=>'flash_failure'));

I have grep in my machine, if that helps.

finally after the contents is changed, i have a function that will write the contents back

$file->write($contents);

I know this helps to find the lines, but I have no idea how to replace.

^.*Session->setFlash.*, true\)\);$

codaddict · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-14 04:31:54Z

1

You can try:

$contents = $file->read(); // return as string.

// change contents.
$contents = preg_replace('/^(\$this->Session->setFlash.*?), true\)\);$/',"$1, true), 'default', array('class'=>'flash_failure'));",$contents);

$file->write($contents);

answered Sep 14, 2010 at 4:31

codaddict

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3 Comments

Kim Stacks Over a year ago

your code is working but somehow it does not work on the $contents when i do a $contents= file_get_contents($filename); your code works because i tested here at codepad.viper-7.com/V3BS6H

codaddict Over a year ago

What exactly do you mean by does not work? Try printing the value of $contents after you get it using file_get_contents

Kim Stacks Over a year ago

there are multiple lines inside the file. so i suspect i need to set a /m modifier. but i stll cannot get it to work. see this for more details. codepad.viper-7.com/1twh2k

Kim Stacks · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-14 06:29:15Z

0

the solution is thus:

$contents = preg_replace('/^(.*Session->setFlash.*, true\))\);$/m',
                                         "$1, 'default', array('class'=>'flash_failure'));", $contents);

the multiline modifier is key.

answered Sep 14, 2010 at 6:29

Kim Stacks

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