Replace XML content using Regular Expressions in .NET

Question

I am trying to work on a regular expression to replace XML content in C# with no success.

Here is the sample code with XML example.

     static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Console.Write(ReplaceValue("<test val='123'><this>something</this></test>", "ANY_XML_BLOB", @"<test[^>]*>\s*(?'value'[^</test]*)"));
    }

    static string ReplaceValue(string request, string newFieldValue, string pat)
    {
        string value = String.Empty;
        Regex conditionRex = new Regex(pat, RegexOptions.IgnoreCase | RegexOptions.Compiled);
        Match match = conditionRex.Match(request);
        if(match.Success)
        {
           value = match.Groups["value"].Value;
           return request.Replace(value, newFieldValue);
        }
        return request;
    }
}

Expected output is "this" tag and all sub-contents be replaced by the word ANY_XML_BLOB.

Any help fixing this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

This is a massive duplicate question, and the answer is, you can't use a regex on XML because XML is not a "regular language". Use LINQ to XML instead. — John Saunders
– John Saunders, Commented Apr 23, 2011 at 1:43
I believe that your "can't" is more on philosophical basis. LINQ is out of question for me. Sadly, its REGEX or Die! — DotNet n00b
– DotNet n00b, Commented Apr 23, 2011 at 1:46
Actually, "can't" is more on a mathematical / Computer Science basis, not philosophy. — John Saunders
– John Saunders, Commented Apr 24, 2011 at 2:47

mistagrooves · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-23 01:51:09Z

2

I would recommend using a proper XML parser for trying to do what you want to do. Using a regex is just asking for trouble. Something in the System.Xml namespace would suit you. You might even give LINQ to XML a try.

PsuedoCode:

XmlDocument xmlDoc = new XmlDocument();
xmlDoc.Load("<test val='123'><this>something</this></test>");

XmlNodeList testelelist = xmlDoc.GetElementsByTagName("test");
XmlNode testele = testelelist.Item(0);
testele.InnerText = "ANY_XML_BLOB";

answered Apr 23, 2011 at 1:51

mistagrooves

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Comments

Jeff Meatball Yang · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-23 02:02:40Z

2

While I would recommend following the XML parsing route, you COULD try this:

string output = Regex.Replace(input, "<this>.*?</this>", "ANY_XML_BLOB");

answered Apr 23, 2011 at 2:02

Jeff Meatball Yang

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1 Comment

DotNet n00b Over a year ago

This works, but sadly the sample is code is what I have to use to replace the XML content. Hence, I have been using 'value' in the REGEX to replace it later, after the match.

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