String.replace() is not working

Question

What I have is a string array that I am creating from a .csv file I am reading. I then want to parse the values I'm going to use for the ' character and replace it with a \' because I am outputting this to a javascript file.

Here's the code I'm using for that:

while ((thisLine = myInput.readLine()) != null) { String[] line = thisLine.split("\t"); if(line[4].indexOf("'") > -1){ System.out.println(line[4]); line[4] = line[4].replace("'", "\'"); System.out.println(line[4]); } brand.add(line[4]); }

However this is not working. I am getting the same string back after I do the replace.

Is this because of some issue with the string array?

I appreciate any assistance in this matter.

Java escapes the backslash char too. Use "\\'".

sp00m
– sp00m

2013-02-21 15:54:50 +00:00
Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 15:54 — sp00m
– sp00m, Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 15:54

user · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-21 15:58:01Z

9

Try like this:

line[4] = line[4].replace("'", "\\'");

The backslash must be "escaped".

In case of line[4] = line[4].replace("'", "\'"); the part \' is converted to just '

edited Feb 21, 2013 at 15:58

answered Feb 21, 2013 at 15:53

user

3,09825 silver badges46 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

user Over a year ago

You are not dumb. Never call yourself such way, the thoughts are material. We all have a field to study any time.

Jon Skeet · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-21 15:53:55Z

You're falling foul of the fact that "'" is the same as "\'". They're the same string (a single character, just an apostrophe) - the escaping is there to allow a character literal of '\''.

You want:

line[4] = line[4].replace("'", "\\'");

So now you're escaping the backslash, instead of the apostrophe. So you're replacing apostrophe with backslash-then-apostrophe, which is what you wanted.

See JLS section 3.10.6 for details of escaping in character and string literals.

nsgulliver · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-02 13:47:07Z

you should add back slash \ something like this

line[4] = line[4].replace("'", "\\'");

because one left slash \ is escape character

James Oravec · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-21 15:54:50Z

0

Your issue looks like it is an escape issue. Try \\ to replace a single back slash.

answered Feb 21, 2013 at 15:54

James Oravec

20.5k31 gold badges100 silver badges164 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

String.replace() is not working

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Comments

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

1 Comment

Comments

Comments

Comments

Related