Hello! I have a regex `[^\\]\\\"` but I can't seem...

# getting-started

[synhershko]

Hello! I have a regex [^\\]\\\" but I can't seem to make it compile and used from a Regex class - what am I missing? attached is an IntelliJ screenshot. I honestly tried all possible escapings. IDE and compiler complain about "redundant escape character". The regex as typed in this question is 100% correct and fully tested

[Joffrey]

First, I would suggest using raw strings (triple-double-quoted) so you don't have to think about 2 levels of \ escaping

[Joffrey]

And I guess that is your problem here, you seem to only escape at Regex level, but you didn't escape your backslashes for the string literal. Adding 2 double-quotes on each side should solve it

[Sam]

Alternatively, the IDE can help you out:
• make a string
• choose “Inject language or reference” from the quick actions menu
• Select “regular expression”
• Select “edit RegExp” fragment from the quick actions menu
• Now you can paste the regex in directly to the regular expression editor and IntelliJ will escape it for you

[synhershko]

Yes I believe you are correct, """ works but now still some escaping hell with the slashes, I'll figure it out from here, thanks!

[Sam]

The warning about the redundant escaping is valid, " does not need to be escaped in a regular expression (although it does in a Kotlin string)

[synhershko]

🙏

[Joffrey]

So in short Regex("""[^\\]\\"""") should work (it's a bit hard to digest that there are 4 double-quotes at the end (1 for your regex, and 3 for the closing raw string 😆)

[mcampbell]

Out of curiosity, what is this regex trying to find; "not-a-backslash followed by a backslash followed by a double quote"?

[Joffrey]

and then a double-quote, yes. I guess the point is to find escaped double-quotes in some text, but making sure the backslash that escapes the double-quote is not itself escaped

[mcampbell]

<nod> tks. Didn't mean to necro the thread, but was curious

[Joffrey]

It's only 3 days old 🙂 but also I don't see a problem in reviving old threads