Regex not matching in Java Program

Question

I've built the following regex. This matches the function call fn-bea:uuid()

It obviously matches the function, but when integrating it into my java program:

xqueryFileContent.replaceAll("(fn\\-bea:uuid\\(\\))", "0");

the function is not replaced. Any ideas what I'm missing?

I can't make out if \\- is escaping - or if you want to match \-. Please clarify it by giving the exact string to replace it. — Arun Gowda
– Arun Gowda, Commented Mar 23, 2018 at 10:11
You need to assign the replaced value back to xqueryFileContent — Wiktor Stribiżew
– Wiktor Stribiżew, Commented Mar 23, 2018 at 10:22

anubhava · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-23 10:22:32Z

There is no need to use a regex here. Just String#replace for simple string search-replace:

xqueryFileContent = xqueryFileContent.replace("fn-bea:uuid()", "0");

If you must use a regex then use Pattern.quote to quote all special characters:

xqueryFileContent = xqueryFileContent.replaceAll( Pattern.quote("fn-bea:uuid()"), "0" );

In this testcase there's just one fn-bea:uuid(), but there can be multiple. replaceAll wants a pattern as parameter.

Zenoo · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-23 10:16:09Z

-1

You don't need to escape your - :

xqueryFileContent.replaceAll("(fn-bea:uuid\\(\\))", "0");

answered Mar 23, 2018 at 10:07

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5 Comments

Not working, and why do I need to double escape, single escape of \` would also return \` no?

@0x45 I updated my answer, I thought you wanted to match a backslash.

@0x45 Are you reassigning your Java variable? xqueryFileContent = xqueryFileContent.replaceAll("(fn-bea:uuid\\(\\))", "0");

- is a special character for regex, yes it needs escaping

@kutschkem Inside [] yes, not outside

Maurice Perry · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-23 10:22:14Z

You must use the result of replaceAll:

xqueryFileContent = xqueryFileContent.replaceAll("(fn\\-bea:uuid\\(\\))", "0");