Groovy - String matches() method

matches() method checks whether a String matches the given regular expression. It returns true if string matches else returns false.

Syntax

Boolean matches(String regex)

Parameters

regex − the expression for comparison.

Return Value

This method returns true if, and only if, this string matches the given regular expression.

Example - Matching Strings

Following is an example of the usage of matches() method.

Example.groovy

class Example { 
   static void main(String[] args) { 
      String str1 = "tutorials", str2 = "learning";       
      boolean retval = str1.matches(str2);      
      
      // method gets different values therefore it returns false
      println("Value returned = " + retval); 
      retval = str2.matches("learning");      
      
      // method gets same values therefore it returns true
      println("Value returned = " + retval);    
      retval = str1.matches("tuts");      
      
      // method gets different values therefore it returns false
      println("Value returned = " + retval);
   } 
}

Output

When we run the above program, we will get the following result −

Value returned = false
Value returned = true
Value returned = false

Example - Matching Strings Using Pattern

Following is an example of the matches() method.

Example.groovy

class Example { 
   static void main(String[] args) { 
      String RegexExpression = "^[0-9]+";
      println("The returned value is: " + "8785".matches(RegexExpression));
      println("The returned value is: " + "@%*6575".matches(RegexExpression));
      println("The returned value is: " + "675hjh".matches(RegexExpression));
   } 
}

Output

When we run the above program, we will get the following result −

The returned value is: true
The returned value is: false
The returned value is: false

Example - Checking if String contains only Alphabetic Characters

Following is an example of the matches() method.

Example.groovy

class Example { 
   static void main(String[] args) { 
      String RegexExpression = "[a-zA-Z ]+";
      String s1 = "Tutorials Point is a reputed firm";
      String s2 = "Tutori@ls && Po!nt is @ reputed f!rm";
      String s3 = "Tutorials Point is a reputed firm 766868";
      boolean Match1 = s1.matches("[a-zA-Z ]+");
      boolean Match2 = s2.matches("[a-zA-Z ]+");
      boolean Match3 = s3.matches("[a-zA-Z ]+");
      println("Is the string having only alphabets: " + Match1);
      println("Is the string having only alphabets: " + Match2);
      println("Is the string having only alphabets: " + Match3);
   } 
}

Output

When we run the above program, we will get the following result −

Is the string having only alphabets: true
Is the string having only alphabets: false
Is the string having only alphabets: false