escape * w/ java.util.regex.Pattern

I want to match start and end comment blocks in some sql files.

how would I compile a pattern that matches strings that contain '/*'

i.e. escape the asterisk so it is matched as a literal character??

Roger:

You can use a character class to encapsulate the offending asterisk:

Another way would be to use a double backslash to escape it.

John.

John de Michele wrote:Roger:

You can use a character class to encapsulate the offending asterisk:
"[/][*].+?[*][/]"
Another way would be to use a double backslash to escape it.

John.

There's no need to put the slash inside a character class (or escape it). Also, you will probably need to change the PLUS into a STAR because /**/ is also a valid comment block. And by default, the DOT does not match new line characters, so enabling the DOT-ALL option (?s) would be wise as well. So, that would look like this:

Although parsing source files using regex may not be a wise idea: the substring "/*" may occur inside a string literal which will make the regex match too much.

Piet:

Yep, I was just demonstrating character classes. I guess I got a little 'character-class happy'

. You are correct about the asterisk vs. the plus; I guess I didn't think about the empty (i.e., /**/) case.

John.