Tips for writing a file parser in Java? [closed]

Question

EDIT: I'm mostly parsing "comma-seperated values", fuzzy brought that term to my attention.

Interpreting the blocks of CSV are the main question here.

I know how to read the file into something like a String[] and some of the basic features of String, but I don't think using methods like contains() and analyzing everything character by character will work.

What are some ways I can do this in a smarter way?

Example of a line:

-barfoob: boobs, foob, "foo bar"

Answer 1

You may be able to use the Neko HTML parser to some degree. It depends on how it handles the non-standard HTML.

Answer 2

I think the java.util.Scanner will help you. Have a look at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/Scanner.html

Answer 3

If the document is valid XML, then any of the other answers will work. If it's not, you'll have to lex.

Answer 4

you should look at ANTLR even if you want to write the parser yourself, ANTLR is a great alternative. Or at least look at YAML

Answer 5

After looking at your sample input, I fail to see any resemblance to HTML or XML:

-barfoob: boobs, foob, "foo bar"

If this is what you want to parse, I have an alternative suggestion, to use the Java properties parser (comes with standard Java), and then parse the remainder of each line using your own custom code. You will need to refactor your format somewhat in order for this to work, so it's up to you.

barfoob=boobs, foob, "foo bar"

Java properties will be be able to return you barfoob as the property name, and boobs, foob, "foo bar" as the property value. That's where you can use your custom code to split the property value into boobs, foob and foo bar.

Answer 6

I'd strongly advice to not reinvent the wheel and use an existing solution like Flatworm, Fixedformat4j or jFFP that can all parse positional or comma-separated values files (personally, I recommend Flatworm).