removing a char from an array of Strings

Question

I've been trying to remove a specific character from an Array of Strings but continue to fail. The char is "$", I don't know what I'm doing wrong so hoping someone would be able to point to the right direction, my code:

for (int y = 0; y<possibleAnswers.length;y++) {
        display = possibleAnswers[y].replaceAll("$", "");
        System.out.println(display);
    }

possibleAnswers contains 4 Strings, one of the 4 has a "$", I want to remove it before displaying it.

When I run the above code, the "$" is displayed, any ideas?

Answer 1

The problem with your code is that replaceAll() expects a "regular expression". The $ character has a specific meaning when used in a regular expression. Therefore you have two options:

1. Keep using replaceAll() ; then you have to "escape the special character"; by using replaceAll("\\\\$", "") , or "[$]" as others have pointed out.
2. Use a different method, like replace() that doesn't expect a "regular expression pattern string".

Answer 2

replaceAll() accepts a regex, not just a character. When you say "$", you're not telling it to match the '$' character, but to match the ending position of the String or before a newline before the end of the String.

You need to escape the '$', so it knows to match just the character, and not treat it like it's special regex meaning.

Do this like: possibleAnswers[y].replaceAll("\\\\$", "");

Answer 3

Try

possibleAnswers[y].replaceAll("\\$", "");

escape the character because $ is a special character in regular expression and since replaceAll() take regular expression the string you passed is unidentified.

You can also use replace() which take string

 possibleAnswers[y].replace("$", "");

Answer 4

IN your code the $ is keyword in regex for matching end of line ie $. SO you will have to escape it as below.

display = possibleAnswers[y].replaceAll("\\$", "");

Answer 5

Just use possibleAnswers[y].replace("$", ""); to remove "$" from string.

Answer 6

for (int y = 0; y < possibleAnswers.length; y++) {
        display = possibleAnswers[y].replace("$", "");
        System.out.println(display);
    }

As suggested, I used replace method instead of replaceAll and it did the job. At the same time I learned to look at documentation for deeper understanding of such methods.

Thanks for all the help guys, truly appreciated.