CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javaregexmatching
Field.D
Field.D

Reputation: 158

How to use regex for matching multiple words

How can I use regex to match multiple words in java? For example, the addAction("word") and intentFilter("word") at the same time for matching?

I tried:

string REGEX ="[\\baddAction\\b|\\bintentFilter\\b]\\s*\([\"]\\s*\\bword\\b\\s*[\"]\)";

Could someone tell me what's wrong with this format and how can I fix it?

Upvotes: 4

Views: 11216

Answers (1)

Wiktor Stribiżew
Wiktor Stribiżew

Reputation: 626804

You are trying to use alternative lists in a regex, but instead you are using a character class ("[\\baddAction\\b|\\bintentFilter\\b]). With a character class, all characters in it are matched individually, not as a given sequence.

You learnt the word boundary, you need to also learn how grouping works.

You have a structure: word characters + word in double quotes and parentheses.

So, you need to group the first ones, and it is better done with a non-capturing group, and remove some word boundaries from the word (it is redundant in the specified context):

String rgx ="\\b(?:addAction|intentFilter)\\b\\s*\\(\"\\s*word\\s*\"\\)";
System.out.println("addAction(\"word\")".matches(rgx));
System.out.println("intentFilter(\"word\")".matches(rgx));

Output of the demo

true
true

Upvotes: 4

Related Questions