How to Replace Words Outside Of Quotes

Question

I would like to replace strings outside of quotes using str.replaceAll in Java but to leave words inside quotes untouched

If I replaced Apple with Pie:

Input: Apple "Apple Apple Apple"
Desired Output: Pie "Apple Apple Apple"

Note the words inside quotes were untouched

How would this be done? All help Appreciated!

Answer 1

Search for Apple using lookaheads to make sure it is not surrounded by quotes:

(?=(([^"]*"){2})*[^"]*$)Apple

And replace by:

Pie

RegEx Demo

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Update:

Based on comments below you can use:

Code:

String str = "Apple \"Apple\"";
String repl = str.replaceAll("(?=(([^\"]*\"){2})*[^\"]*$)Apple", "Pie");
//=> Pie "Apple" "Another Apple Apple Apple" Pie