Regex::Replace Method (String, String, String, RegexOptions)
Within a specified input string, replaces all strings that match a specified regular expression with a specified replacement string. Specified options modify the matching operation.
Assembly: System (in System.dll)
public: static String^ Replace( String^ input, String^ pattern, String^ replacement, RegexOptions options )
Parameters
- input
- Type: System::String
The string to search for a match.
- pattern
- Type: System::String
The regular expression pattern to match.
- replacement
- Type: System::String
The replacement string.
- options
- Type: System.Text.RegularExpressions::RegexOptions
A bitwise combination of the enumeration values that provide options for matching.
Return Value
Type: System::StringA new string that is identical to the input string, except that a replacement string takes the place of each matched string.
| Exception | Condition |
|---|---|
| ArgumentException | A regular expression parsing error occurred. |
| ArgumentNullException | input, pattern, or replacement is nullptr. |
| ArgumentOutOfRangeException | options is not a valid bitwise combination of RegexOptions values. |
The static Replace methods are equivalent to constructing a Regex object with the specified regular expression pattern and calling the instance method Replace.
The pattern parameter consists of various regular expression language elements that symbolically describe the string to match. For more information about regular expressions, see .NET Framework Regular Expressions and Regular Expression Language - Quick Reference. If the options parameter specifies the RightToLeft enumeration value, the search for matches begins from the end of the input string and proceeds from right to left; otherwise, the search begins from the start of the input string and proceeds from left to right.
The replacement parameter specifies the string that is to replace each match in input. replacement can consist of any combination of literal text and substitutions. For example, the replacement pattern a*${test}b inserts the string "a*" followed by the substring that is matched by the test capturing group, if any, followed by the string "b". The * character is not recognized as a metacharacter within a replacement pattern.
Note |
|---|
Substitutions are the only regular expression language elements that are recognized in a replacement pattern. All other regular expression language elements, including character escapes, are allowed in regular expression patterns only and are not recognized in replacement patterns. |
The following example uses the Replace(String, String, String, RegexOptions) method to replace the local machine and drive names in a UNC path with a local file path. The regular expression uses the Environment::MachineName property to include the name of the local computer, and the Environment::GetLogicalDrives method to include the names of the logical drives. All regular expression string comparisons are case-insensitive. To run the example successfully, you should replace the literal string "MyMachine" with your local machine name.
The regular expression pattern is defined by the following expression:
"\\\\" + Environment.MachineName + "(?:\.\w+)*\\([" + driveNames + "])\$"
The following table shows how the regular expression pattern is interpreted.
Pattern | Description |
|---|---|
\\\\ | Match two consecutive backslash (\) characters. Because the backslash character is interpreted as the escape character, each backslash must be escaped with another backslash. |
+ Environment.MachineName + | Match the string that is returned by the Environment::MachineName property. |
(?:\.\w+)* | Match the period (.) character followed by one or more word characters. This match can occur zero or more times. The matched subexpression is not captured. |
\\ | Match a backslash (\) character. |
([" + driveNames + "]) | Match the character class that consists of the individual drive letters. This match is the first captured subexpression. |
\$ | Match the literal dollar sign ($) character. |
The replacement pattern $1 replaces the entire match with the first captured subexpression. That is, it replaces the UNC machine and drive name with the drive letter.
Windows 7, Windows Vista SP1 or later, Windows XP SP3, Windows XP SP2 x64 Edition, Windows Server 2008 (Server Core not supported), Windows Server 2008 R2 (Server Core supported with SP1 or later), Windows Server 2003 SP2
The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see .NET Framework System Requirements.
Note