Split method creates empty elements in Java Array

Question

I have the following String "Make Me A SandWich" Someone decided to troll me and replace the spaces with a random number of LOL. so now the string is "LOLMakeLOLLOLLOLMELOLALOLSandWich"

My goal is to revert this change.

I tried to create a string array with split method but this caused "empty" elements inside of the array that has a value but when I try to log it, it doesn't show anything. It's also not equal to ""

Public class MyClass{

public static void main(String[] args) {
        String trollText = "MakeLOLLOLLOLMELOLALOLSandWich";

        String[] array = trollText.split("LOL");

        if (array[1]=="")System.out.print("it's an empty string");
        if (array[1]==" ")System.out.print("it's a space sign");
        if (array[1]==null)System.out.print("it's equal to nothing");
        if (array[1]==' '+"")System.out.print("I don't know what's that");
        else System.out.print(array[1]+"<-- This is an element and it has a value");
    }
}

I consider the problem solved if someone tells me what array[1] equals to. Knowing the value will give me something to compare to when copying the elements into a new array.

The question is: WHY? Why don't you simply use a replace() method? — Amongalen
– Amongalen, Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 11:29
@Amongalen this would leave me with duplicate spaces, which still isn't the answer am looking for. — Mouaz Tabboush
– Mouaz Tabboush, Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 11:31

Bunyamin Coskuner · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-24 11:30:13Z

1

When comparing two strings in java, you cannot use == operator which compares object references. You need to use array[1].equals("")

Also, if you simply want to replace all occurrences of a string, you can do following

trollText.replaceAll("LOL", " ")

answered Sep 24, 2019 at 11:30

Bunyamin Coskuner

8,8892 gold badges31 silver badges50 bronze badges

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

Comments

Nimantha · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-30 09:39:27Z

0

Here is my solution. skipping empty or " " string and appending notEmpty values to new StringBuilder() and finally print it.

import java.util.Arrays;

public class LOL_problem {

public static void main(String[] args) {
        String trollText = "MakeLOLLOLLOLMELOLALOLSandWich";
        StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
        String[] array = trollText.split("LOL");
        //System.out.println(Arrays.toString(array));

        for (String str : array) {
            if (!str.equals("")) sb.append(str+" ");
        }
        System.out.println(sb.toString().trim());
    }
}

edited Oct 30, 2021 at 9:39

Nimantha

6,5476 gold badges32 silver badges78 bronze badges

answered Sep 24, 2019 at 11:36

A S M Sayem

2,0902 gold badges21 silver badges33 bronze badges

Comments

Nimantha · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-30 09:39:53Z

0

We should use equals(String str) method to check if strings are equals instead of '==' which does object reference check. To replace all the occurrence, you can use trollText.replaceAll method as below.

    public class MyClass{
      public static void main(String[] args) {
        String trollText = "MakeLOLLOLLOLMELOLALOLSandWich";
        String result  = trollText.replaceAll("LOL", " ");
        System.out.println(result);
    }
}

edited Oct 30, 2021 at 9:39

Nimantha

6,5476 gold badges32 silver badges78 bronze badges

answered Sep 24, 2019 at 11:55

Dnyanesh

1212 silver badges8 bronze badges

Comments

Nimantha · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-31 03:30:48Z

0

To compare Strings in Java, use:

String.equals("text");

This will return true if the Strings are identical and false if not.

edited Oct 31, 2021 at 3:30

Nimantha

6,5476 gold badges32 silver badges78 bronze badges

answered Sep 24, 2019 at 11:33

GitPhilter

1719 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Split method creates empty elements in Java Array

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related