Java String.split() on comma followed by non-whitespace

Question

I'm parsing a dataset which annoyingly decided to comma-delimit items in a TSV (PharmaGKB pathways, I'm looking at you), but allow commas in each logical element.

Basically, comma-followed-by-space means no delimit, while comma followed by character means new element.

"This is one, element,two element, three element"

Should be:

This is one, element
two element
three element

I have the regex a.split(",\\S+");, which splits fine but it removes the first character after every split.

This is one, element
wo element
hree element

Regex is like going to the dentist for me, help is much appreciated.

To anyone reading this -- please note that the given example is incorrect. The actual output should be "This is one, element" "two element, three element". There is a space after the comma between "two element" and "three element" and thus it should not be treated as a delimiter. — Sean Anderson
– Sean Anderson, Commented Apr 2, 2015 at 18:35

tckmn · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-01 18:33:35Z

5

Positive lookaheads:

a.split(",(?=\\S)");

answered Dec 1, 2013 at 18:33

tckmn

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