How to Parse Dotted Identifiers in Java

What is the best approach to parse dotted identifiers in Java?

String input = "com.example.MyClass.method"; String[] parts = input.split(".");

Parsing dotted identifiers in Java, such as package names or method calls, is common in software development. It allows developers to handle strings containing hierarchical data separated by dots. This guide covers how to effectively parse such strings.

String input = "com.example.MyClass.method"; String[] parts = input.split("\\."); // Use regex to escape dot characters.

Causes

• Improper handling of special characters within identifiers
• Assuming a static number of components in dotted strings
• Not considering edge cases like empty segments between dots

Solutions

• Use the \"String.split()\" method with a regex that correctly identifies dots.
• Implement a loop to dynamically assess each component of the dotted identifier.
• Consider using libraries that simplify parsing hierarchical strings, such as Apache Commons Lang.

Mistake: Using dot as a simple delimiter without regex escaping.

Solution: Always escape the dot using \\ to avoid splitting at literal dot characters.

Mistake: Forgetting to handle empty segments that might occur due to multiple dots.

Solution: Implement checks to manage empty strings in the resulting array.