String replacement in MATLAB

Introduction

String replacement helps you change parts of text easily, like fixing typos or updating words.

You want to correct a misspelled word in a sentence.

You need to update a date or name inside a text message.

You want to remove or replace certain characters from user input.

You want to change all occurrences of a word in a paragraph.

You want to format text by replacing placeholders with actual values.

Syntax

MATLAB

newStr = strrep(originalStr, oldSubstr, newSubstr);

strrep replaces all occurrences of oldSubstr with newSubstr in originalStr.

The function is case-sensitive and works on character arrays or string arrays.

Examples

Replaces 'world' with 'friend' resulting in 'hello friend'.

MATLAB

newStr = strrep('hello world', 'world', 'friend');

Replaces all 'a' letters with 'o', resulting in 'bonono'.

MATLAB

newStr = strrep('banana', 'a', 'o');

Changes 'fun' to 'great' in the sentence.

MATLAB

newStr = strrep('Matlab is fun', 'fun', 'great');

Sample Program

This program replaces every 'apples' with 'oranges' in the sentence and shows the new sentence.

MATLAB

originalStr = 'I love apples and apples are tasty.';
newStr = strrep(originalStr, 'apples', 'oranges');
disp(newStr);

Important Notes

strrep replaces all matches, not just the first one.

If oldSubstr is not found, the original string is returned unchanged.

Use double quotes for string arrays or single quotes for character arrays in MATLAB.

Summary

String replacement changes parts of text easily.

Use strrep(originalStr, oldSubstr, newSubstr) to replace all occurrences.

It works on both character arrays and string arrays.

Practice

1. What does the MATLAB function strrep('hello world', 'world', 'MATLAB') do?

easy

A. Replaces 'world' with 'MATLAB' resulting in 'hello MATLAB'

B. Removes the word 'world' from the string

C. Returns an error because 'world' is not a variable

D. Converts the entire string to uppercase

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand strrep function

   The function strrep replaces all occurrences of a substring with a new substring in a given string.

2. Step 2: Apply strrep to the example

   It replaces 'world' with 'MATLAB' in 'hello world', resulting in 'hello MATLAB'.

3. Final Answer:

   Replaces 'world' with 'MATLAB' resulting in 'hello MATLAB' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   strrep('hello world', 'world', 'MATLAB') = 'hello MATLAB' [OK]

Hint: Remember: strrep replaces all matching substrings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking strrep removes substrings instead of replacing
• Confusing strrep with uppercase functions
• Assuming strrep only works on variables

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to replace all occurrences of 'cat' with 'dog' in the string text = 'cat and cat'?

easy

A. replace(text, cat, dog)

B. strrep(text, 'cat', 'dog')

C. text.replace('cat', 'dog')

D. str_replace(text, 'cat', 'dog')

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall MATLAB string replacement syntax

   In MATLAB, the function to replace substrings is strrep(originalStr, oldSubstr, newSubstr).

2. Step 2: Match the correct syntax

   strrep(text, 'cat', 'dog') uses strrep correctly with the right order of arguments.

3. Final Answer:

   strrep(text, 'cat', 'dog') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct MATLAB syntax for string replacement is strrep() [OK]

Hint: Use strrep(original, old, new) for replacements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Python or other language syntax by mistake
• Misspelling function names
• Using dot notation which MATLAB strings don't support

3. What is the output of the following MATLAB code?

str = 'apple banana apple';
newStr = strrep(str, 'apple', 'orange');
disp(newStr);

medium

A. orange banana apple

B. apple banana orange

C. orange banana orange

D. apple banana apple

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the original string and replacement

   The original string is 'apple banana apple'. The function replaces all 'apple' with 'orange'.

2. Step 2: Apply strrep to replace all occurrences

   Both 'apple' words are replaced, resulting in 'orange banana orange'.

3. Final Answer:

   orange banana orange -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   strrep replaces all matches, not just first [OK]

Hint: strrep replaces every match, not just one [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Replacing only the first occurrence
• Confusing strrep with regex functions
• Expecting original string unchanged

4. The following MATLAB code is intended to replace 'dog' with 'cat' in the string text = 'dog and dog'. What is the error?

text = 'dog and dog';
newText = strrep(text, dog, cat);
disp(newText);

medium

A. Missing quotes around 'dog' and 'cat' causing an error

B. strrep cannot replace substrings in character arrays

C. disp cannot display strings

D. No error, code runs correctly

Solution

1. Step 1: Check argument types in strrep

   In MATLAB, substrings must be given as strings or character arrays enclosed in quotes.

2. Step 2: Identify missing quotes causing error

   The code uses dog and cat without quotes, which MATLAB treats as variables, causing an error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing quotes around 'dog' and 'cat' causing an error -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   String literals need quotes in strrep arguments [OK]

Hint: Always quote substrings in strrep arguments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting quotes around substrings
• Assuming variables are strings automatically
• Thinking disp cannot show strings

5. Given a string array words = ["red", "blue", "red", "green"], which MATLAB code replaces all occurrences of "red" with "yellow" correctly?

hard

A. newWords = strrep(words, red, 'yellow');

B. newWords = strrep(words, "red", yellow);

C. newWords = strrep(words, red, yellow);

D. newWords = replace(words, 'red', 'yellow');

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand string array replacement functions

   For string arrays, MATLAB's replace function works correctly, while strrep works on character arrays.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct function and syntax

   newWords = replace(words, 'red', 'yellow'); uses replace with proper quotes, which replaces all "red" with "yellow" in the string array.

3. Final Answer:

   newWords = replace(words, 'red', 'yellow'); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use replace() for string arrays, strrep() for char arrays [OK]

Hint: Use replace() for string arrays, strrep() for char arrays [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using strrep on string arrays (causes error)
• Forgetting quotes around substrings
• Confusing variable names with strings