Page 1 of 4

regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 09 Oct 2012 20:40
by dbenham
REPL.BAT has been superceded by JREPL.BAT, available at viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6044. I am no longer maintaining REPL.BAT

There are 3rd party command line utilities that can be used to edit text files, and some like gnu sed are free. But some work environments do not allow installation of downloaded executables.

Here is a simple hybrid JScript/Batch script that applies regex search and replace to lines from stdin and writes the result to stdout. It is surprisingly powerful, and performance is pretty good as well.

The whole thing could have been written as straight JScript, but I wanted the convenience of using the script without having to explicitly call CSCRIPT.

Full documentation is embedded within the script. The built in /? help option uses the script to extract and display the documentation on the screen : 8)

It's amazing how much functionality can be provided with such a small amount of code. It can even be used to process binary files, including 0x00 bytes, if the M option is used. The M option loads the entire contents of stdin into a variable, so I think its theoretical limit is 2GByte, though I don't recommend testing that :wink:

Multiple search and replace operations may be performed by chaining multiple REPL operations via successive pipes.


Here is a trivial demonstration of how easy it is to edit a text file, replacing all occurrences of the the word red with blue.

Code: Select all

@echo off
type test.txt | repl "\bred\b" "blue" >test.txt.new
move test.txt.new test.txt


REPL can also be used to search and replace the value of a variable. Here I substitute a tab character for all commas.

Code: Select all

@echo off
setlocal
set str=a,b,c
for /f "delims=" %%A in ('repl "," "\t" xs str') do set "str=%%A"
set str


And finally, here is the actual script (REPL.BAT) that does all the work:
Edit 2013-04-13: I renamed the E environment variable option to V, and added new options B and E to allow literal searches to match the beginning and/or end of a line, respectively.
Edit 2013-06-28: I added the A option that only prints out lines that have been altered
Edit 2013-06-29: I extended the X option to support \q as a representation of a double quote. Also, the Search string now supports all the extended escape sequences when both X and L are specified.
Edit 2013-10-02: \xnn now properly represents the extended ASCII byte code when the X option is used. Also added the /V option to print out the current version.
Edit 2014-03-02: Added credits to documentation and updated version to 3.2
Edit 2014-04-94: Version 3.3 - The A option can now be used with M if S is also used. New help options /?REGEX and /?REPLACE launch Microsoft documentation in your browser.
Edit 2014-07-28: Version 4.0 - Added the N option to enable working with binary files contain NULL bytes.
Edit 2014-07-30: Version 4.1 - Removed the N option. Modified M option to always work properly with binary files. Also improved performance of binary files
Edit 2014-10-28: Version 5.0 - Refined and documented the return codes. You can now tell if REPL made a change to the data
Edit 2014-11-07: Version 6.0 - Added the J option to specify the replacement value as a JScript expression
Edit 2014-11-07: Version 6.1 - JScript expressions may reference abbreviations $0 - $10 for arguments $[0] - $[10]
Edit 2014-11-11: Version 6.2 - Bug fix - don't escape $ in Replace if J option is used. Also, corrected description of A option

Code: Select all

@if (@X)==(@Y) @end /* Harmless hybrid line that begins a JScript comment

::************ Documentation ***********
::REPL.BAT version 6.2
:::
:::REPL  Search  Replace  [Options  [SourceVar]]
:::REPL  /?[REGEX|REPLACE]
:::REPL  /V
:::
:::  Performs a global regular expression search and replace operation on
:::  each line of input from stdin and prints the result to stdout.
:::
:::  Each parameter may be optionally enclosed by double quotes. The double
:::  quotes are not considered part of the argument. The quotes are required
:::  if the parameter contains a batch token delimiter like space, tab, comma,
:::  semicolon. The quotes should also be used if the argument contains a
:::  batch special character like &, |, etc. so that the special character
:::  does not need to be escaped with ^.
:::
:::  If called with a single argument of /?, then prints help documentation
:::  to stdout. If a single argument of /?REGEX, then opens up Microsoft's
:::  JScript regular expression documentation within your browser. If a single
:::  argument of /?REPLACE, then opens up Microsoft's JScript REPLACE
:::  documentation within your browser.
:::
:::  If called with a single argument of /V, case insensitive, then prints
:::  the version of REPL.BAT.
:::
:::  Search  - By default, this is a case sensitive JScript (ECMA) regular
:::            expression expressed as a string.
:::
:::            JScript regex syntax documentation is available at
:::            http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ae5bf541(v=vs.80).aspx
:::
:::  Replace - By default, this is the string to be used as a replacement for
:::            each found search expression. Full support is provided for
:::            substituion patterns available to the JScript replace method.
:::
:::            For example, $& represents the portion of the source that matched
:::            the entire search pattern, $1 represents the first captured
:::            submatch, $2 the second captured submatch, etc. A $ literal
:::            can be escaped as $$.
:::
:::            An empty replacement string must be represented as "".
:::
:::            Replace substitution pattern syntax is fully documented at
:::            http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/efy6s3e6(v=vs.80).aspx
:::
:::  Options - An optional string of characters used to alter the behavior
:::            of REPL. The option characters are case insensitive, and may
:::            appear in any order.
:::
:::            A - Only print altered lines. Unaltered lines are discarded.
:::                If the S options is present, then prints the result only if
:::                there was a change anywhere in the string. The A option is
:::                incompatible with the M option unless the S option is present.
:::
:::            B - The Search must match the beginning of a line.
:::                Mostly used with literal searches.
:::
:::            E - The Search must match the end of a line.
:::                Mostly used with literal searches.
:::
:::            I - Makes the search case-insensitive.
:::
:::            J - The Replace argument represents a JScript expression.
:::                The expression may access an array like arguments object
:::                named $. However, $ is not a true array object.
:::
:::                The $.length property contains the total number of arguments
:::                available. The $.length value is equal to n+3, where n is the
:::                number of capturing left parentheses within the Search string.
:::
:::                $[0] is the substring that matched the Search,
:::                $[1] through $[n] are the captured submatch strings,
:::                $[n+1] is the offset where the match occurred, and
:::                $[n+2] is the original source string.
:::
:::                Arguments $[0] through $[10] may be abbreviated as
:::                $1 through $10. Argument $[11] and above must use the square
:::                bracket notation.
:::
:::            L - The Search is treated as a string literal instead of a
:::                regular expression. Also, all $ found in the Replace string
:::                are treated as $ literals.
:::
:::            M - Multi-line mode. The entire contents of stdin is read and
:::                processed in one pass instead of line by line, thus enabling
:::                search for \n. This also enables preservation of the original
:::                line terminators. If the M option is not present, then every
:::                printed line is terminated with carriage return and line feed.
:::                The M option is incompatible with the A option unless the S
:::                option is also present.
:::
:::                Note: If working with binary data containing NULL bytes,
:::                      then the M option must be used.
:::
:::            S - The source is read from an environment variable instead of
:::                from stdin. The name of the source environment variable is
:::                specified in the next argument after the option string. Without
:::                the M option, ^ anchors the beginning of the string, and $ the
:::                end of the string. With the M option, ^ anchors the beginning
:::                of a line, and $ the end of a line.
:::
:::            V - Search and Replace represent the name of environment
:::                variables that contain the respective values. An undefined
:::                variable is treated as an empty string.
:::
:::            X - Enables extended substitution pattern syntax with support
:::                for the following escape sequences within the Replace string:
:::
:::                \\     -  Backslash
:::                \b     -  Backspace
:::                \f     -  Formfeed
:::                \n     -  Newline
:::                \q     -  Quote
:::                \r     -  Carriage Return
:::                \t     -  Horizontal Tab
:::                \v     -  Vertical Tab
:::                \xnn   -  Extended ASCII byte code expressed as 2 hex digits
:::                \unnnn -  Unicode character expressed as 4 hex digits
:::
:::                Also enables the \q escape sequence for the Search string.
:::                The other escape sequences are already standard for a regular
:::                expression Search string.
:::
:::                Also modifies the behavior of \xnn in the Search string to work
:::                properly with extended ASCII byte codes.
:::
:::                Extended escape sequences are supported even when the L option
:::                is used. Both Search and Replace support all of the extended
:::                escape sequences if both the X and L opions are combined.
:::
:::  Return Codes:  0 = At least one change was made
:::                     or the /? or /V option was used
:::
:::                 1 = No change was made
:::
:::                 2 = Invalid call syntax or incompatible options
:::
:::                 3 = JScript runtime error, typically due to invalid regex
:::
::: REPL.BAT was written by Dave Benham, with assistance from DosTips user Aacini
::: to get \xnn to work properly with extended ASCII byte codes. Also assistance
::: from DosTips user penpen diagnosing issues reading NULL bytes, along with a
::: workaround. REPL.BAT was originally posted at:
::: http://www.dostips.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3855
:::

::************ Batch portion ***********
@echo off
if .%2 equ . (
  if "%~1" equ "/?" (
    <"%~f0" cscript //E:JScript //nologo "%~f0" "^:::" "" a
    exit /b 0
  ) else if /i "%~1" equ "/?regex" (
    explorer "http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ae5bf541(v=vs.80).aspx"
    exit /b 0
  ) else if /i "%~1" equ "/?replace" (
    explorer "http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/library/efy6s3e6(v=vs.80).aspx"
    exit /b 0
  ) else if /i "%~1" equ "/V" (
    <"%~f0" cscript //E:JScript //nologo "%~f0" "^::(REPL\.BAT version)" "$1" a
    exit /b 0
  ) else (
    call :err "Insufficient arguments"
    exit /b 2
  )
)
echo(%~3|findstr /i "[^SMILEBVXAJ]" >nul && (
  call :err "Invalid option(s)"
  exit /b 2
)
echo(%~3|findstr /i "M"|findstr /i "A"|findstr /vi "S" >nul && (
  call :err "Incompatible options"
  exit /b 2
)
cscript //E:JScript //nologo "%~f0" %*
exit /b %errorlevel%

:err
>&2 echo ERROR: %~1. Use REPL /? to get help.
exit /b

************* JScript portion **********/
var rtn=1;
try {
  var env=WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell").Environment("Process");
  var args=WScript.Arguments;
  var search=args.Item(0);
  var replace=args.Item(1);
  var options="g";
  if (args.length>2) options+=args.Item(2).toLowerCase();
  var multi=(options.indexOf("m")>=0);
  var alterations=(options.indexOf("a")>=0);
  if (alterations) options=options.replace(/a/g,"");
  var srcVar=(options.indexOf("s")>=0);
  if (srcVar) options=options.replace(/s/g,"");
  var jexpr=(options.indexOf("j")>=0);
  if (jexpr) options=options.replace(/j/g,"");
  if (options.indexOf("v")>=0) {
    options=options.replace(/v/g,"");
    search=env(search);
    replace=env(replace);
  }
  if (options.indexOf("x")>=0) {
    options=options.replace(/x/g,"");
    if (!jexpr) {
      replace=replace.replace(/\\\\/g,"\\B");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\q/g,"\"");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x80/g,"\\u20AC");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x82/g,"\\u201A");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x83/g,"\\u0192");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x84/g,"\\u201E");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x85/g,"\\u2026");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x86/g,"\\u2020");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x87/g,"\\u2021");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x88/g,"\\u02C6");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x89/g,"\\u2030");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x8[aA]/g,"\\u0160");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x8[bB]/g,"\\u2039");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x8[cC]/g,"\\u0152");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x8[eE]/g,"\\u017D");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x91/g,"\\u2018");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x92/g,"\\u2019");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x93/g,"\\u201C");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x94/g,"\\u201D");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x95/g,"\\u2022");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x96/g,"\\u2013");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x97/g,"\\u2014");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x98/g,"\\u02DC");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x99/g,"\\u2122");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[aA]/g,"\\u0161");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[bB]/g,"\\u203A");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[cC]/g,"\\u0153");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[dD]/g,"\\u009D");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[eE]/g,"\\u017E");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x9[fF]/g,"\\u0178");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\b/g,"\b");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\f/g,"\f");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\n/g,"\n");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\r/g,"\r");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\t/g,"\t");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\v/g,"\v");
      replace=replace.replace(/\\x[0-9a-fA-F]{2}|\\u[0-9a-fA-F]{4}/g,
        function($0,$1,$2){
          return String.fromCharCode(parseInt("0x"+$0.substring(2)));
        }
      );
      replace=replace.replace(/\\B/g,"\\");
    }
    search=search.replace(/\\\\/g,"\\B");
    search=search.replace(/\\q/g,"\"");
    search=search.replace(/\\x80/g,"\\u20AC");
    search=search.replace(/\\x82/g,"\\u201A");
    search=search.replace(/\\x83/g,"\\u0192");
    search=search.replace(/\\x84/g,"\\u201E");
    search=search.replace(/\\x85/g,"\\u2026");
    search=search.replace(/\\x86/g,"\\u2020");
    search=search.replace(/\\x87/g,"\\u2021");
    search=search.replace(/\\x88/g,"\\u02C6");
    search=search.replace(/\\x89/g,"\\u2030");
    search=search.replace(/\\x8[aA]/g,"\\u0160");
    search=search.replace(/\\x8[bB]/g,"\\u2039");
    search=search.replace(/\\x8[cC]/g,"\\u0152");
    search=search.replace(/\\x8[eE]/g,"\\u017D");
    search=search.replace(/\\x91/g,"\\u2018");
    search=search.replace(/\\x92/g,"\\u2019");
    search=search.replace(/\\x93/g,"\\u201C");
    search=search.replace(/\\x94/g,"\\u201D");
    search=search.replace(/\\x95/g,"\\u2022");
    search=search.replace(/\\x96/g,"\\u2013");
    search=search.replace(/\\x97/g,"\\u2014");
    search=search.replace(/\\x98/g,"\\u02DC");
    search=search.replace(/\\x99/g,"\\u2122");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[aA]/g,"\\u0161");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[bB]/g,"\\u203A");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[cC]/g,"\\u0153");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[dD]/g,"\\u009D");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[eE]/g,"\\u017E");
    search=search.replace(/\\x9[fF]/g,"\\u0178");
    if (options.indexOf("l")>=0) {
      search=search.replace(/\\b/g,"\b");
      search=search.replace(/\\f/g,"\f");
      search=search.replace(/\\n/g,"\n");
      search=search.replace(/\\r/g,"\r");
      search=search.replace(/\\t/g,"\t");
      search=search.replace(/\\v/g,"\v");
      search=search.replace(/\\x[0-9a-fA-F]{2}|\\u[0-9a-fA-F]{4}/g,
        function($0,$1,$2){
          return String.fromCharCode(parseInt("0x"+$0.substring(2)));
        }
      );
      search=search.replace(/\\B/g,"\\");
    } else search=search.replace(/\\B/g,"\\\\");
  }
  if (options.indexOf("l")>=0) {
    options=options.replace(/l/g,"");
    search=search.replace(/([.^$*+?()[{\\|])/g,"\\$1");
    if (!jexpr) replace=replace.replace(/\$/g,"$$$$");
  }
  if (options.indexOf("b")>=0) {
    options=options.replace(/b/g,"");
    search="^"+search
  }
  if (options.indexOf("e")>=0) {
    options=options.replace(/e/g,"");
    search=search+"$"
  }
  var search=new RegExp(search,options);
  var str1, str2;

  if (srcVar) {
    str1=env(args.Item(3));
    str2=str1.replace(search,jexpr?replFunc:replace);
    if (!alterations || str1!=str2) if (multi) {
      WScript.Stdout.Write(str2);
    } else {
      WScript.Stdout.WriteLine(str2);
    }
    if (str1!=str2) rtn=0;
  } else if (multi){
    var buf=1024;
    str1="";
    while (!WScript.StdIn.AtEndOfStream) {
      str1+=WScript.StdIn.Read(buf);
      buf*=2
    }
    str2=str1.replace(search,jexpr?replFunc:replace);
    WScript.Stdout.Write(str2);
    if (str1!=str2) rtn=0;
  } else {
    while (!WScript.StdIn.AtEndOfStream) {
      str1=WScript.StdIn.ReadLine();
      str2=str1.replace(search,jexpr?replFunc:replace);
      if (!alterations || str1!=str2) WScript.Stdout.WriteLine(str2);
      if (str1!=str2) rtn=0;
    }
  }
} catch(e) {
  WScript.Stderr.WriteLine("JScript runtime error: "+e.message);
  rtn=3;
}
WScript.Quit(rtn);

function replFunc($0, $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10) {
  var $=arguments;
  return(eval(replace));
}


Dave Benham

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 22:46
by brinda
thank you. was looking for a search/replace script in batch.

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 16:55
by foxidrive
Dave, in response to a request someone wants to have the two recurring lines that this command returns, but each two lines joined into one line.

I tried several permutations but I can't get \r?\n to work in this context. Can you show me a command line using repl? What is the ? for in that term too, please.

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE"

In Win 8 it returns this style of lines:


Code: Select all

SERVICE_NAME: wcncsvc
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WdiServiceHost
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinDefend
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: winmgmt
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WPDBusEnum
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: wscsvc
        STATE              : 4  RUNNING

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 18:17
by foxidrive
I found a method by comparing a previous command and I swear I tried it earlier and it didn't work.
But now it does.

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE" | repl "(SERVICE_NAME.*)\r\n" "$1" m

Code: Select all

SERVICE_NAME: WdiServiceHost        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinDefend        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinHttpAutoProxySvc        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: winmgmt        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WPDBusEnum        STATE              : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: wscsvc        STATE              : 4  RUNNING


Now I have a followup question - is this syntax not quite right in the regexp terms?

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE" | repl "(SERVICE_NAME.*)\r\n(.*)" "$2$1" m

It returns this but I expect the RUNNING part (not quite as it is below) to precede the SERVICE_NAME part.

Can you explain that please?

Code: Select all

SERVICE_NAME: wcncsvc      : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WdiServiceHost 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinDefend    : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinHttpAutoProxySvcUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: winmgmt      : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WPDBusEnum   : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: wscsvc       : 4  RUNNING

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 21:31
by dbenham
Yes, that will work as long as each line ends with <CR><LF>. I like to assume the <CR> is optional, so I use \r?\n. The ? means the previous term occurs 0 or 1 times. But then the .* will match the <CR> and the \r? can match nothing. The <CR> gets captured as part of $1, which causes problems with the output.

The solution is to use [^\r\n]* instead of .*. (or simply ditch the ? like you did)

Code: Select all

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE" | repl "(SERVICE_NAME[^\r\n]*)\r?\n" "$1" m


Dave Benham

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 01:52
by foxidrive
Thanks Dave, much appreciated.

Can you please tell me why this doesn't return the second line followed by the first line?

Code: Select all

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE" | repl "(^SERVICE_NAME.*$)\r?\n(^.*$)" "$2$1" m



It gives me this - with or without the ?

Code: Select all

SERVICE_NAME: UleadBurningHelperRUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: Wcmsvc       : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: wcncsvc      : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WdiServiceHost 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinDefend    : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WinHttpAutoProxySvcUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: winmgmt      : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: WPDBusEnum   : 4  RUNNING
SERVICE_NAME: wscsvc       : 4  RUNNING


EDIT I found that if you use "$2-$1" in the replacement and gradually increase the number of hyphens that the first line is overwriting the second line.
That's not expected, right?

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 05:21
by dbenham
It is totally expected. I tried to explain that in my prior post. The dot matches all characters except <LF>, so it does match <CR> in the captured substring.

So after substitution, the line becomes SomeText<CR>SomeMoreText. When that is ECHOed to the screen, SomeText is written, but then <CR> resets the cursor to position 1 and SomeMoreText overwrites SomeText.


Dave Benham

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:34
by foxidrive
I understand the [^\r\n] now. It didn't quite sink in earlier.

Thanks.

I knew the regexps are in most cases greedy and match as match as possible but I had expected the \r\n to become part of the regexp and limit the expressions.
Thanks for the help. It takes time to learn a new tool with such potential.

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 08:49
by foxidrive
Well Dave, I understand the reasoning but I can't get [^\r\n] to work when I try it.

If I use this code to eliminate the CR I still can't manipulate the order of $2 and $1
Have I misunderstood the syntax or operation??

Code: Select all

sc query | findstr "SERVICE_NAME STATE" | repl "(SERVICE_NAME[^\r\n]*)\r?\n(.*)" "$2 - $1 - $2" m


If I use $1 or $2 alone then it prints the segments ok.

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 10:22
by foxidrive
Hi Dave, smee again.

Is there a backreference to the entire input string that can be used in a replace term?

I had to use multiple () and reference them all as in this example:

Code: Select all

echo "Futurama.S07E01.HDTVx264.mp4"|repl "(.)(.*)(.s)(..)(e)(..)(.*)(....)." "ren \x22$2$3$4$5$6$7$8\x22 \x22Episode $6 - $2 - Series $4$8\x22" ix


Returning this:
ren "Futurama.S07E01.HDTVx264.mp4" "Episode 01 - Futurama - Series 07.mp4"


Cheers

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 15:29
by zpimp
i was looking for something like this, thank you
is it possible to use it for regex search without replace (for grep-ing) ?

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 17:03
by dbenham
@foxidrive - check out the links in the REPL /? documentation. The first link gives a full accounting of all supported regex search terms, and the second explains all the search reference options available to the replacement string. $& matches the entire matched regex.

@zpimp - Definitely JScript (or hybrid batch/JScript) could be used to create a powerful utility similar to grep. I've often been tempted to build one, but I've never gotten past a high level design phase. I start out with something simple, and then keep thinking - "I should add this feature... and that one... etc." until the project becomes bigger than what I want to pursue. :-(


Dave Benham

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 21:40
by foxidrive
dbenham wrote:@foxidrive - check out the links in the REPL /? documentation. The first link gives a full accounting of all supported regex search terms, and the second explains all the search reference options available to the replacement string. $& matches the entire matched regex.


Thanks Dave, I did read the WSH documentation that I have and did try $& and it was my unfamiliarity with repl that caused the issue -
I didn't remove m from the options, when echoing a simple string, and that stopped $& from working.

Cheers and thanks.

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 22:01
by zpimp
@dave
im sure jscript can do it, was wondering about this specific app, if i you can add that option
would do it myself if i knew how :)

offtopic: i am in the position to use WSH, using gnuwin32 wherever i can, but sometimes its not possible :(
more specific im using JSCRIPT, i dont like the vbs syntax, but JSCRIPT resources are limited on the web, or i cant find them
if you have more resources regarding JSCRIPT would be nice to get have some links

Re: regex search and replace for batch - Easily edit files!

Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:20
by Aacini
zpimp wrote:@dave
im sure jscript can do it, was wondering about this specific app, if i you can add that option
would do it myself if i knew how :)

offtopic: i am in the position to use WSH, using gnuwin32 wherever i can, but sometimes its not possible :(
more specific im using JSCRIPT, i dont like the vbs syntax, but JSCRIPT resources are limited on the web, or i cant find them
if you have more resources regarding JSCRIPT would be nice to get have some links

If your are looking for a JScript program to search regexp in a file, look at my new FindRepl.bat program

Antonio