RegExp Rename (?<=\d)( )(?=\d) > -

[kalle]

Hi all,

i tried to rename file, which contain a date in form yy mm dd (seperated by blanks) into yy-mm-dd without changing other appearing blanks.

So i formed the pattern (?<=\d)( )(?=\d) and tried it in Programmers Notepad and Notepad++, where it worked to find only those blanks with a number before and after.

But when i try (?<=\d)( )(?=\d) > - in the RegExp rename field, it tells me an Syntax Error...

Isn't that possible by RegEx in XYPlorer?

[highend]

Welcome to the forum.

Isn't that possible by RegEx in XYPlorer?

Unfortunately, it's not. XY uses vbscript.dll for it's regex engine. It doesn't support lookbehind...

[kalle]

Thank you for welcoming me and especially for the quick response.

I guess i have to look into scripting xy ... or would you or anyone have another (rather easy) suggestion?

[highend]

Not elegant but should work:

Code: Select all

(\d+) (\d+) (\d+) > $1-$2-$3

Renames e.g.:

Code: Select all

hello 15 10 26 world.txt

into

Code: Select all

hello 15-10-26 world.txt

[bdeshi]

you can try scripting with xypcre (by me ), which supports some advanced regexp ops. However this will be an ugly & convulted process.
something like renameitem(oldname, pcrereplace(oldname, pattern, replacement)); //I'm not sure if the syntax is correct, awayfrompc.

[kalle]

Amazing!

Thank's so much.

But now, aside this topic ... can i use $1, $2 as the opening (
like variables in RegEx

on the other hand, i tweaked your line into
(\d{1,2})[ .](\d{1,2})[ .](\d{1,2}) > $1-$2-$3
to allow 1 or 2 digit numbers and a dot or blank as seperator

[armsys]

... can i use $1, $2 as the opening ( like variables in RegEx

What do you mean?
Can you show us some sample text strings and expected results?

[kalle]

it seems correct:

usage of $1, $2, and so on in renaming into always gives that substring which was found by the regex expression in the numbered brackets ($1) ($2)

That way was my very first attempt, but i was unable to figure the Syntax. How dumb one can think ^^

[highend]

(\d{1,2})[ .](\d{1,2})[ .](\d{1,2}) > $1-$2-$3

You didn't mention that dots are possible separators in the first place

[kalle]

Yes, that's true, i didn't mention dots as possible seperators to keep my question tight and small
Since i'm native german

[highend]

Since i'm native german

My heartfelt sympathy! *feix*

[kalle]

*feix*

Danke vielmals *grins*