Java split function gives me a small length of result String array

Question

I have this code:

String string = "_a_b___";
String[] parts = string.split("_");

The result is that variable parts has only three elements

parts[0] = ""
parts[1] = "a" 
parts[2] = "b"

This is weird, because there are five "_" chars, so after splitting there should be six elements, not only three of them.

I want

parts[0] = ""
parts[1] = "a"
parts[2] = "b"
parts[3] = ""
parts[4] = "" 
parts[5] = ""

How to do that? Thank you very much!

Just curious, why would you want the last three empty strings? — SedJ601
– SedJ601, Commented Jun 4, 2017 at 16:55
Because sometime I split "_a_b___" and sometime "x_a_b_c_d_e". Then I use parts[5] and in the first case it throws ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException. — J. Neal
– J. Neal, Commented Jun 4, 2017 at 17:03
Oh, when I split, I play with the data at hand. Meaning, instead of using part[5]. I would using parts.length in a loop and do things accordingly. — SedJ601
– SedJ601, Commented Jun 4, 2017 at 17:07

Zakir · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-04 16:57:13Z

6

From Java documentation:-

Trailing empty strings are therefore not included in the resulting array.

Trysplit("_",6)

answered Jun 4, 2017 at 16:57

Zakir

2,39223 silver badges33 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

Youcef LAIDANI Over a year ago

i like your solution you have my +1 it is a little not complete check my solution above

Piyush Over a year ago

Nice.! Good find.

Zakir Over a year ago

@YCF_L: Agree your ans is complete and elegant!

Youcef LAIDANI · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-04 20:07:45Z

4

The solution of @Zakir is correct, i would add another information to use it perfectly, to get what you want instead of using split("_", 6) you can generalize it and use :

String[] parts = string.split("_", string.replace("(?!_)", "").length());

Which can accept any length.

for _a_b___ you will get [, a, b, , , ]

Edit

Or like @Bill F mention in comment, you can also use String[] parts = string.split("_", -1); for any length as well. Java doc

edited Jun 4, 2017 at 20:07

answered Jun 4, 2017 at 17:02

Youcef LAIDANI

60.3k21 gold badges111 silver badges178 bronze badges

4 Comments

Bill F Over a year ago

correct me if I'm wrong but you can also use split("_", -1) for any length as well. JavaDocs

Youcef LAIDANI Over a year ago

you read deep deep @BillF this is correct you can also use split("_", -1) can i use this in my answer ?

Youcef LAIDANI Over a year ago

thak you @BillF for your new information i appreciate it :) you can check my answer, feel free to edit it

Bill F Over a year ago

Thanks! Just trying to help :) learn something new everyday :)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Java split function gives me a small length of result String array

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related