Find/Replace a 'block' of text in a text file?

[relentlesstech]

I have a program I am working on to make modifying my game CFG files for one of my racing games. What I am trying to do is search the opened CFG file for a certain 'block' of text, and replace it with another 'block' of text, without disturbing the rest of the file's structure. I am still relatively new to .NET, so bear with me if I don't word things clearly!

This is a section of the CFG file (The bold area is the 'block' I need to find and replace):

# Vehicle importer wizard generated vehicle configuration file #

center		-0.005 0.670 0.019

material	0x00000000 0x0005000B 0x0005000B

compound
compound
chassis
body		0.0 0.0 0.0	0.0 0.0 0.0	0.001	box	0.001 0.001 0.001	
noclick
bone
body		0.001 -0.227 -1.833	0.000 0.000 0.000	10.000	cars\racers\Axis_V3\meshes\_phys_chassis_F.scx	;0x0000000C

# FL wheel #
type		10.000 sphere	0.44
spring		0.290 0.100 0.050
wheel		-0.785 -0.544 -1.305	0.000 0.000 0.000	1.000 1.000 1.000 0.000
wheelbones
slot		0.000 0.000 0.000	0.000 0.000 0.000	101	; FL wheel
attach		0x00040100 1 ; 14
attach		0x00040101 1 ; 15
attach		0x00040102 1 ; 16
attach		0x00040103 1 ; 17
attach		0x00040104 1 ; 18
attach		0x00040105 1 ; 19
attach		0x00040106 1 ; 20
attach		0x00040107 1 ; 21
slottype	101
slotdmgmode	0x00000005

slot		0.000 0.000 0.000	0.000 0.000 0.000	201	; FL suspension arm
slottype	301
slotdmgmode	0x00000006

Is there any way to find that highlighted section, and replace it with a similar section?

[elielCT]

I used a loop.. didn't disturb my data..........

 Dim techList As ArrayList = New ArrayList
                Dim sr As IO.StreamReader = New IO.StreamReader(myPath() & "activeTechs.txt")
                Dim tech As String
                Dim techPos, counter As Integer

                counter = 0

                While Not sr.EndOfStream
                    tech = sr.ReadLine()
                    techList.Add(tech)
                    If tech = val1 Then techPos = counter
                    counter += 1
                End While

                sr.Close()

                techList.RemoveAt(techPos)
                techList.Insert(techPos, val1)

                Dim newData As IO.StreamWriter = New IO.StreamWriter(myPath() & "activeTechs.txt", False)
                newData.Write("")
                newData.Close()

                Dim sw As IO.StreamWriter = New IO.StreamWriter(myPath() & "activeTechs.txt", True)
                For aTech As Integer = 0 To (techList.Count - 1)
                    sw.WriteLine(techList(aTech))
                Next
                sw.Close()

sorry duke.. I just copied and pasted from something I did.. didnt change it cuz im too tipsy to think....

[relentlesstech]

Thanks for responding - I just have one question: What should 'val1' be?

[elielCT]

thats the new data.. this is part of a function & val1 was passed as a parameter..

[elielCT]

whow are you inserting the new data? where is it coming from? (and val1 was passed to a procedure not a funtion... errr)

[relentlesstech]

I have the CFG file text loaded into TextBox1, the block to search for is in TextBox2, and the replacement block is in TextBox3 - Like I said, I'm not too familiar with .NET :-P

[elielCT]

dont really need textbox1...

now if the replacement is in textbox 3, im assuming this is a multiline textbox..

personally i would change textbox2 and textbox3 to a datagrid view.

one column would have the term to search for and another column would have the term to replace it with.
That way i think its easier to control the line breaks and have a 1 to 1 with which to replace with...

then a button to perform the operation. The datagridview will auto add a new row whenever data is entered.

[elielCT]

ok take a looksy.. hope it works for u...

I'm sure it needs some tweeking, but it works...

pardon the solution name.. its a reminder for me to delete or re-use... its in visual studio 2010
trash2.zip

Private Sub OpenFile(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles OpenFile_But.Click
        Dim fileselector As OpenFileDialog = Me.OpenFileDialog1
        Dim filePath As String
        Dim fileReader As IO.StreamReader
        Dim filedata As ArrayList = New ArrayList
        fileselector.ShowDialog()
        filePath = fileselector.FileName
        fileselector.Dispose()

        Me.FileSelected_Label.Text = filePath
        Me.FileSelected_Label.Refresh()
        fileReader = New IO.StreamReader(filePath)

        filedata.Clear()

        While Not fileReader.EndOfStream
            filedata.Add(fileReader.ReadLine)
        End While

        fileReader.Close()
        showData(filedata)

    End Sub

    Private Sub showData(ByVal dataArray As ArrayList)
        For Each dataItem As String In dataArray
            DataViewer_ListBox.Items.Add(dataItem)
        Next
    End Sub

    Private Sub TransferForEditing(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles EditSelected_But.Click
        Dim rowNum As Integer = 0

        If DataViewer_ListBox.SelectedItems.Count < 1 Then
            MsgBox("You must select data to edit!", MsgBoxStyle.Information + MsgBoxStyle.OkOnly, "Error: Data Empty")
            Exit Sub
        End If

        DataEditor_DGridView.Rows.Clear()

        For Each selectedData As String In DataViewer_ListBox.SelectedItems
            DataEditor_DGridView.Rows.Add()
            DataEditor_DGridView.Rows(rowNum).Cells("oldData").Value = selectedData
            rowNum += 1
        Next
    End Sub



    Private Sub DoFileEdit(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles EditData_But.Click
        Dim dataPath As String = FileSelected_Label.Text
        Dim newData As New ArrayList

        newData = ReadFileData(dataPath)
        WriteFileData(dataPath, newData)

        MsgBox("File was edited successfully", MsgBoxStyle.Information + MsgBoxStyle.OkOnly)

    End Sub

    Private Function ReadFileData(ByVal dataPath As String) As ArrayList
        Dim adataReader As IO.StreamReader = New IO.StreamReader(dataPath, True)
        Dim tempData As New ArrayList
        Dim dataLine As String

        While Not adataReader.EndOfStream
            dataLine = adataReader.ReadLine()
            tempData.Add(dataLine)
        End While

        adataReader.Close()


        Return tempData
    End Function

    Private Sub WriteFileData(ByVal dataPath As String, ByVal dataArray As ArrayList)
        Dim dataWriter As IO.StreamWriter = New IO.StreamWriter(dataPath, False)

        For Each rowToEdit As DataGridViewRow In DataEditor_DGridView.Rows
            For tempItem As Integer = 0 To (dataArray.Count - 1) Step 1
                If rowToEdit.Cells("oldData").Value = dataArray(tempItem) Then
                    dataArray(tempItem) = rowToEdit.Cells("newData").Value
                End If
            Next
        Next

        For newItem As Integer = 0 To (dataArray.Count - 1) Step 1
            dataWriter.WriteLine(dataArray(newItem))
        Next

        dataWriter.Close()
    End Sub

[elielCT]

grrr... I shoulda added a refresh to the listbox to reflect the file data after its been edited....
Maybe break the openfile procedure into 2... one for choosing the file.. one to grab the file data and display it with path as parameter... then i coulda called it again to refresh the box...

EDIT:
uh.. I did.. lol..

[relentlesstech]

Thank you for helping me out with this - I've never used the grid before, so this is something new LOL

I ran your program, opened my 'test' CFG file, selected the block of text to change, which did put the block in the data boxes, but when I try to replace the string, I get a 'Nothing to edit' msgbox - I entered the new string in, and 'Confirmed edit', and that's when the msgbox pops up o_O

Ignore the post above - I ran the wrong 'trash' :-P
Now to see if I can get it to work for my purpose!

[elielCT]

thats funny because i did the exact same thing when i went to show it to my friend.. lol>> just noticed on ini files it doesnt get permission even when run under admin

[relentlesstech]

NOW the problem I'm having is that some of the blocks that are replacing the existing ones are 2-3 lines LONGER, so I can't replace what doesn't exist o_O
Is there a way to add the ones that don't have anything to replace to new lines UNDER the replaced blocks?

[elielCT]

hmmm..... i used it for a little while and didnt run into anything like that.. I think I will add a feature to delete lines, but what you describe sounds like a bug.. I want to look into that...

If theres any details you can provide as to when this happens let me know..

[AceInfinity]

I can help you on this. But I need to know one thing before I provide you with any sample code. Is this as big as the file is going to get? Or is this only a portion of a larger file that you have? (For the sample text you provided in the first post?)

[elielCT]

Ok i didnt run into that issue, but i see wut may have caused it... I never jumped out of the loop after i found what i wanted to replace..

Changes:
Can now delete a line
Exit loop after choosing to edit or delete a line
The data is now copied to the edit box for easier editing
Data is selected for edit/delete based on line number not value
Split the open file sub-procedure into two. (one to open file, one to write file to screen)
After file is edited it updates on screen (thanks to splitting openfile sub)
Back up is created whenever file is opened for editing
Can create manual backup
Few cosmetic changed
Few other minor stuff...

if you just want the stand alone exe:
http://www.4shared.com/zip/t6tQHqOU/SimpleFileEdit.html

or the solution is in attachment....

[relentlesstech]

I can help you on this. But I need to know one thing before I provide you with any sample code. Is this as big as the file is going to get? Or is this only a portion of a larger file that you have? (For the sample text you provided in the first post?)

The file is slightly larger - It is a CFG file that holds all the data to 'create' a vehicle in one of my games ...

Ok i didnt run into that issue, but i see wut may have caused it... I never jumped out of the loop after i found what i wanted to replace..

Changes:
Can now delete a line
Exit loop after choosing to edit or delete a line
The data is now copied to the edit box for easier editing
Data is selected for edit/delete based on line number not value
Split the open file sub-procedure into two. (one to open file, one to write file to screen)
After file is edited it updates on screen (thanks to splitting openfile sub)
Back up is created whenever file is opened for editing
Can create manual backup
Few cosmetic changed
Few other minor stuff...


or the solution is in attachment....

I will test it out in a little while - I just got up to find some d**k sliced the valve stem on my new freaking tire last night :-s

[elielCT]

smh.. at least it was just a valve stem... $1 per stem & dont even have to balance if u know wut ur doing...

[AceInfinity]

The file is slightly larger - It is a CFG file that holds all the data to 'create' a vehicle in one of my games ...

That will make things a bit easier then if we can use the System.IO.File methods.

I came up with this:

Dim fileText As String = File.ReadAllText("F:\file.txt")
Dim attchRegion As String = String.Join(Environment.NewLine, _
                            Regex.Matches(fileText, "attach\t\t0x\d{8}\b 1 ; \d{2}\b") _
                            .Cast(Of Match)().Select(Function(m) m.Value))
 
fileText = fileText.Replace(attchRegion, "NEW REPLACEMENT VALUE")
TextBox1.Text = fileText

And from the input file I had:

# Vehicle importer wizard generated vehicle configuration file #

center -0.005 0.670 0.019

material 0x00000000 0x0005000B 0x0005000B

compound
compound
chassis
body 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.001 box 0.001 0.001 0.001
noclick
bone
body 0.001 -0.227 -1.833 0.000 0.000 0.000 10.000 cars\racers\Axis_V3\meshes\_phys_chassis_F.scx ;0x0000000C

# FL wheel #
type 10.000 sphere 0.44
spring 0.290 0.100 0.050
wheel -0.785 -0.544 -1.305 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 0.000
wheelbones
slot 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 101 ; FL wheel
attach 0x00040100 1 ; 14
attach 0x00040101 1 ; 15
attach 0x00040102 1 ; 16
attach 0x00040103 1 ; 17
attach 0x00040104 1 ; 18
attach 0x00040105 1 ; 19
attach 0x00040106 1 ; 20
attach 0x00040107 1 ; 21
slottype 101
slotdmgmode 0x00000005

slot 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 201 ; FL suspension arm
slottype 301
slotdmgmode 0x00000006

It gave me:

# Vehicle importer wizard generated vehicle configuration file #

center -0.005 0.670 0.019

material 0x00000000 0x0005000B 0x0005000B

compound
compound
chassis
body 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.001 box 0.001 0.001 0.001
noclick
bone
body 0.001 -0.227 -1.833 0.000 0.000 0.000 10.000 cars\racers\Axis_V3\meshes\_phys_chassis_F.scx ;0x0000000C

# FL wheel #
type 10.000 sphere 0.44
spring 0.290 0.100 0.050
wheel -0.785 -0.544 -1.305 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 0.000
wheelbones
slot 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 101 ; FL wheel
NEW REPLACEMENT VALUE
slottype 101
slotdmgmode 0x00000005

slot 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 201 ; FL suspension arm
slottype 301
slotdmgmode 0x00000006

I'm assuming the replacement value will be another bunch of "attach 0x00040104 1 ; 18" similar values. So as long as you String.Join() these values with a newline, then when it comes time to use my Regex LINQ, then it will match every one of those lines in the textfile of those attach lines.

Note: For my regex, I assumed that the 1 in each of those lines will never be a different number, if it is, I can just change my regex around a bit.

If it's only going to always be one digit:

attach\t\t0x\d{8}\b [0-9] ; \d{2}\b

[relentlesstech]

Okay, now I have a new problem - The gridview editor part is perfect, with a little modification with the other coding, but here is the issue now:

I have a frmMAIN that is my 'startup' form, which users select between two editing methods - One is supposed to open the 'gridview' form, and the other opens the 'textbox' form (I have the two different 'readers' for each) - First off, I got the messagebox.result to finally work correctly, but now when it loads the assigned form, the frmMain is always visible, no matter what (And if I Dispose, it ends the program) - That is problem #1 - Problem #2 is with the textbox editor, the CFG file loads fine, but I cannot save due to the fact that it is already in use 'somewhere', although it's closed in every instance - I just don't get it!

This is what I have for my frmMain coding - Very simple, but does not go away when other forms are loaded! :-(

Public Class frmMain

    Private Sub StandardEditorToolStripMenuItem_MouseEnter(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles StandardEditorToolStripMenuItem.MouseEnter
        ToolStripMenuItem3.Text = "Standard Editor is for quick editing."
    End Sub


    Private Sub AdvancedEditorToolStripMenuItem_MouseEnter(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles AdvancedEditorToolStripMenuItem.MouseEnter
        ToolStripMenuItem3.Text = "Advanced Editor is for more in-depth editing."
    End Sub

    Private Sub frmMain_MouseEnter(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.MouseEnter
        ToolStripMenuItem3.Text = "Select editing mode ..."
    End Sub

    Private Sub CancelToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles CancelToolStripMenuItem.Click
        End
    End Sub

    Private Sub CancelToolStripMenuItem_MouseEnter(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles CancelToolStripMenuItem.MouseEnter
        ToolStripMenuItem3.Text = "Exit editor."
    End Sub

    Private Sub StandardEditorToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles StandardEditorToolStripMenuItem.Click
        Form1.Show()
        Me.Hide()
    End Sub

    Private Sub AdvancedEditorToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles AdvancedEditorToolStripMenuItem.Click
        Form2.Show()
        Me.Hide()
    End Sub
End Class

[elielCT]

For prob #1.. What about using MDI?

For prob #2... I bet it is open somewhere... Somewhere i'm betting you forgot to close the datastream...
Prob just a little hard to spot...
NOTE: Nowhere in your example code does it show any data being read... So noone would be able to help you with that even if they wanted to...

[relentlesstech]

This is the code I have to open the CFG file to the datagrid (Form1)(Your code, elielCT):

   Private Sub AxisToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles AxisToolStripMenuItem.Click
        CarName.Text = "Axis_V3"

        OpenCFG.InitialDirectory = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Activision Value\Street Legal\cars\racers\" & CarName.Text & "\scripts\"

        Dim fileselector As OpenFileDialog = Me.OpenCFG
        Dim filePath As String
        Dim fileReader As IO.StreamReader
        Dim filedata As ArrayList = New ArrayList
        fileselector.ShowDialog()
        filePath = fileselector.FileName
        fileselector.Dispose()

        Me.FileSelected_Label.Text = filePath
        Me.FileSelected_Label.Refresh()
        fileReader = New IO.StreamReader(filePath)

        DataViewer_ListBox.Items.Clear()

        FileSelected_Label.Text = filePath

        While Not fileReader.EndOfStream
            filedata.Add(fileReader.ReadLine)
        End While

        fileReader.Close()
        showData(filedata)

    End Sub

To open the same file in a regular textbox (Form2), I used:

    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Me.ControlBox = False

        Dim Reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText(Path1.Text)
        On Error Resume Next
        Dim FileText As String = Reader.ReadToEnd()
        Reader.Close()

        TextBox1.Text = FileText
    End Sub

    Private Sub SaveCFGFileToolStripMenuItem1_Click_1(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles SaveCFGFileToolStripMenuItem1.Click
        Dim txtwriter As TextWriter

        If TextBox1.Text = "" Then
            Exit Sub
        End If

        txtwriter = New StreamWriter(Path1.Text)
        txtwriter.WriteLine(TextBox1.Text)
        txtwriter.Close()

        MsgBox("File saved!", MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Success!")

        TextBox1.Refresh()
    End Sub

Does this help any? Like I said, I'm still technically 'learning' .NET - I programmed in VB6 for years, though - I'm just having a hard time converting my ways of thinking LOL

[relentlesstech]

This is the code I have to open the CFG file to the datagrid (Form1)(Your code, elielCT):

   Private Sub AxisToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles AxisToolStripMenuItem.Click
        CarName.Text = "Axis_V3"

        OpenCFG.InitialDirectory = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Activision Value\Street Legal\cars\racers\" & CarName.Text & "\scripts\"

        Dim fileselector As OpenFileDialog = Me.OpenCFG
        Dim filePath As String
        Dim fileReader As IO.StreamReader
        Dim filedata As ArrayList = New ArrayList
        fileselector.ShowDialog()
        filePath = fileselector.FileName
        fileselector.Dispose()

        Me.FileSelected_Label.Text = filePath
        Me.FileSelected_Label.Refresh()
        fileReader = New IO.StreamReader(filePath)

        DataViewer_ListBox.Items.Clear()

        FileSelected_Label.Text = filePath

        While Not fileReader.EndOfStream
            filedata.Add(fileReader.ReadLine)
        End While

        fileReader.Close()
        showData(filedata)

    End Sub

To open the same file in a regular textbox (Form2), I used:

    Private Sub Form2_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Me.ControlBox = False

        Dim Reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText(Path1.Text)
        On Error Resume Next
        Dim FileText As String = Reader.ReadToEnd()
        Reader.Close()

        TextBox1.Text = FileText
    End Sub

    Private Sub SaveCFGFileToolStripMenuItem1_Click_1(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles SaveCFGFileToolStripMenuItem1.Click
        Dim txtwriter As TextWriter

        If TextBox1.Text = "" Then
            Exit Sub
        End If

        txtwriter = New StreamWriter(Path1.Text)
        txtwriter.WriteLine(TextBox1.Text)
        txtwriter.Close()

        MsgBox("File saved!", MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Success!")

        TextBox1.Refresh()
    End Sub

Does this help any? Like I said, I'm still technically 'learning' .NET - I programmed in VB6 for years, though - I'm just having a hard time converting my ways of thinking LOL