Is there a way with Regex to grab the first word and replace a quoted section?

Question

I\'m trying to replace ACACIA_BOAT (just a placeholder when copying things) with the first word, that being the variable name.

SCAFFOLDING = new         


        

Answer 1

I do not use IntelliJ and therefore I can not comment on its settings. However, since you have asked for a regex solution, given below is the one:

import java.util.Arrays;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Test strings
        String[] arr = { "SCAFFOLDING = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf(\"ACACIA_BOAT\")).build();",
                "SEAGRASS = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf(\"ACACIA_BOAT\")).build();",
                "SKULL_BANNER_PATTERN = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf(\"ACACIA_BOAT\")).build();" };

        String regex = "(([A-Za-z]\\w*)(?=\\s*\\=).*)(ACACIA_BOAT)(.*)";

        for (int i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
            arr[i] = arr[i].replaceAll(regex, "$1$2$4");
        }

        // Display the strings after replacement
        Arrays.stream(arr).forEach(System.out::println);
    }
}

Output:

SCAFFOLDING = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf("SCAFFOLDING")).build();
SEAGRASS = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf("SEAGRASS")).build();
SKULL_BANNER_PATTERN = new ItemBuilder(Material.valueOf("SKULL_BANNER_PATTERN")).build();

Explanation of the regex:

1. The regex consists of 4 capturing groups:
   • group(1) is (([A-Za-z]\w*)(?=\s*\=).*) which is defined as a string starting with an alphabet (i.e. [A-Za-z]) followed by any number of word characters (i.e. a word character denoted by \w can be anything from [A-Za-z0-9_]) with the assertion (defined by the Positive Lookahead, (?=\s*\=)) that this all should be followed by an = symbol. The assertion does not become part of the selection. Note that there can be any number of space before the = symbol and it has been defined as \s* where * specifies zero or more times quantifier. The regex continues to select any character (specified by .*) after the = symbol.
   • group(2) is ([A-Za-z]\w*) which is already explained above. Note that this will capture just the variable name e.g. SCAFFOLDING.
   • group(3) is (ACACIA_BOAT) which matches ACACIA_BOAT literally.
   • group(4) is (.*) which matches any character
2. The replacement string consists of group(1) + group(2) + group(4) specified by $1$2$4.

Check this for a demo and more explanation of the regex.

Answer 2

How to Find and replace text using regular expressions in Intellij in project

In this case Intellij 2020.2 was used.

You will find the replacement tool under menu:

Edit/Find/'Replace in Path...'

or go shortcut:

Ctrl+Shift+R

In search window type:

(\w+) = new ItemBuilder\(Material\.valueOf\(\\"ACACIA_BOAT\\"

In replacement window type:

$1 = new ItemBuilder\(Material\.valueOf\(\\"$1\\"

Make sure the following is selected:

• Match case 'Aa' - found on the right hand side of "search window" (It is lit with blue color when it is activated)

• Regex '.*' - found on the right hand side of "search window" (It is lit with blue color when it is activated)

• 'In Project' - found on the left hand side just under the "replacement window"

After settings click button 'Replace All' to execute request.

Below is a picture of the "tool", using requested regex:

Read more about Intellij's "Find and replace with regex" at:

https://www.jetbrains.com/help/phpstorm/tutorial-finding-and-replacing-text-using-regular-expressions.html