How do I split a Java String by new lines using regex?
I’m trying to use java split string functionality to break text in a JTextArea based on new lines. However, using split("\\n") doesn’t seem to work. I’ve also tried \r\n|\r|\n and various other regex combinations, but none seem to give the expected results. What is the correct approach to splitting a Java string by new lines reliably?
Ah, splitting a Java string by new lines—sounds simple, but it can get tricky because of varying newline characters across different operating systems. If you want a solution that works universally, try this regex:
String[] lines = text.split("\\r?\\n");
\n for Linux/macOS
\r\n for Windows
Works seamlessly across all platforms!
The \\r?\\n regex ensures that it captures both Windows and Unix-style line endings. It’s the most reliable choice when you want your java split string method to handle cross-platform text efficiently.
I totally agree with that, @jacqueline-bosco But, here’s a little twist—what if you don’t want empty lines in your split results? You see, if there are multiple new lines, you might end up with empty strings in the array, which could be a hassle. A cleaner approach would be to use a Scanner:
Scanner scanner = new Scanner(text);
while (scanner.hasNextLine()) {
System.out.println(scanner.nextLine());
}
scanner.close();
No empty lines
Handles any newline format
Efficient for large blocks of text
This method is a perfect fit when you’re processing user input or files where you need precision in the java split string operation without the clutter of empty lines.
Both of those methods are solid, but here’s the cool part—if you’re using Java 8 or above, streams make splitting even more concise! The great thing about streams is that they automatically handle all newline types (\n, \r\n, \r). Here’s how you can do it:
List<String> lines = Arrays.stream(text.split("\\R"))
.collect(Collectors.toList());
\\R is the regex token in Java 8+ that perfectly handles all types of newlines.
Stream processing improves performance, especially if you’re working with larger datasets. This modern approach gives you a more elegant and efficient solution for java split string tasks.