How to convert a String into a String[][]

Question

I have a string like this:

String string ='{{"INPUT FILE", "NUMBER OF RECORDS"},{"Item File", "11,559"},{"Vendor File", "300"}, {"Purchase History File", "10,000"},{"Total # of requisitions", "10,200,038"}}';

And I want to convert it into an array like this:

String [][] data = {
          {"INPUT FILE", "NUMBER OF RECORDS"},
          {"Item File", "11,559"},
          {"Vendor File", "300"},
          {"Purchase History File", "10,000"},
          {"Total # of requisitions", "10,200,038"}
      };

How could I do that?

That's not a valid string because it's enclosed in single quotes. — codaddict
– codaddict, Commented Oct 22, 2010 at 20:13
As in a quick one-liner method? the Java Programming language isn't big on those. You'd have to do some work. Furthermore, strings aren't valid in '' in Java. Now, if you're thinking of Javascript, you're asking a different question. — Visionary Software Solutions
– Visionary Software Solutions, Commented Oct 22, 2010 at 20:13
no. it's not java. actually, it is a string from SAS. but Java programs needs [][], so I have to convert it. thanks! — john
– john, Commented Oct 22, 2010 at 20:17
Furthermore, if you're working in Java, are you sure you want a 2D string and not a HashMap? Or to write a class that encapsulates what obviously seem to be fields, and then have another method that parses your data and uses instances of those classes? — Visionary Software Solutions
– Visionary Software Solutions, Commented Oct 22, 2010 at 20:18
If it's not Java, how would you ever convert it using Java? :) — BalusC
– BalusC, Commented Oct 22, 2010 at 20:24

Carl · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-22 20:45:53Z

3

String[] first = string.replaceAll("[({{\")(\"}})]","").split("\"},{\"");
String[][] result = new String[first.length][];
for (int i=0; i<first.length; i++)
  result[i] = first[i].split("\", \"");

I think that's about right - there may be some fiddly bits with escaped characters.

Fixed some problems with splits on the commas in the numbers.

Note, this is super fragile and totally dependent on the format you provided.

edited Oct 22, 2010 at 20:45

answered Oct 22, 2010 at 20:19

Carl

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duffymo · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-22 20:14:01Z

0

You'll have to parse it with a 2D array in mind.

Start with the rows (delimited by "},"), then break those into values.

answered Oct 22, 2010 at 20:14

duffymo

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Michael Bazos · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-22 20:15:18Z

0

write a method and use StringUtils http://commons.apache.org/lang/api-2.5/org/apache/commons/lang/StringUtils.html use one of the split* methods in StringUtils. You will need to run the split* method twice since you have a two dimensional array.

answered Oct 22, 2010 at 20:15

Michael Bazos

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