## org.apache.tools.ant.types
Class RegularExpression

    java.lang.Object
      org.apache.tools.ant.ProjectComponent
          org.apache.tools.ant.types.DataType
              org.apache.tools.ant.types.RegularExpression

All Implemented Interfaces:
  java.lang.Cloneable

    public class RegularExpression

extends DataType

A regular expression datatype. Keeps an instance of the compiled expression for speed purposes. This compiled expression is lazily evaluated (it is compiled the first time it is needed). The syntax is the dependent on which regular expression type you are using. The system property "ant.regexp.regexpimpl" will be the classname of the implementation that will be used.

     For jdk  <= 1.3, there are two available implementations:
       org.apache.tools.ant.util.regexp.JakartaOroRegexp (the default)
            Based on the jakarta-oro package

       org.apache.tools.ant.util.regexp.JakartaRegexpRegexp
            Based on the jakarta-regexp package

     For jdk >= 1.4 an additional implementation is available:
       org.apache.tools.ant.util.regexp.Jdk14RegexpRegexp
            Based on the jdk 1.4 built in regular expression package.

       <regexp [ [id="id"] pattern="expression" | refid="id" ]
       />

See Also:
  `Perl5Compiler`, `RE`, `Pattern`, `Regexp`

Field Summary
`static java.lang.String` `DATA_TYPE_NAME` Name of this data type

Fields inherited from class org.apache.tools.ant.types.DataType
`checked, ref`

Fields inherited from class org.apache.tools.ant.ProjectComponent
`description, location, project`

Constructor Summary
`RegularExpression()` default constructor

Method Summary
`java.lang.String` `getPattern(Project p)` Gets the pattern string for this RegularExpression in the given project.
`RegularExpression` `getRef(Project p)` Get the RegularExpression this reference refers to in the given project.
`Regexp` `getRegexp(Project p)` provides a reference to the Regexp contained in this
`void` `setPattern(java.lang.String pattern)` sets the regular expression pattern

Methods inherited from class org.apache.tools.ant.types.DataType
`checkAttributesAllowed, checkChildrenAllowed, circularReference, clone, dieOnCircularReference, dieOnCircularReference, dieOnCircularReference, getCheckedRef, getCheckedRef, getCheckedRef, getCheckedRef, getDataTypeName, getRefid, invokeCircularReferenceCheck, isChecked, isReference, noChildrenAllowed, setChecked, setRefid, tooManyAttributes, toString`

Methods inherited from class org.apache.tools.ant.ProjectComponent
`getDescription, getLocation, getProject, log, log, setDescription, setLocation, setProject`

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
`equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

Field Detail

### DATA_TYPE_NAME

    public static final java.lang.String DATA_TYPE_NAME

  Name of this data type

  See Also:
    Constant Field Values

Constructor Detail

### RegularExpression

    public RegularExpression()

  default constructor

Method Detail

### setPattern

    public void setPattern(java.lang.String pattern)

  sets the regular expression pattern

  Parameters:
    `pattern` - regular expression pattern

### getPattern

    public java.lang.String getPattern(Project p)

  Gets the pattern string for this RegularExpression in the given project.

  Parameters:
    `p` - project
  Returns:
    pattern

### getRegexp

    public Regexp getRegexp(Project p)

  provides a reference to the Regexp contained in this

  Parameters:
    `p` - project
  Returns:
    Regexp instance associated with this RegularExpression instance

### getRef

    public RegularExpression getRef(Project p)

  Get the RegularExpression this reference refers to in the given project. Check for circular references too

  Parameters:
    `p` - project
  Returns:
    resolved RegularExpression instance