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rmetacharacters

Replace multiple strings comprising of a different number of characters with one gsubfn()

Here Replace multiple strings in one gsub() or chartr() statement in R? it is explained to replace multiple strings of one character at in one statement with gsubfn(). E.g.:

x <- "doremi g-k"
gsubfn(".", list("-" = "_", " " = ""), x)
# "doremig_k"

I would however like to replace the string 'doremi' in the example with ''. This does not work:

x <- "doremi g-k"
gsubfn(".", list("-" = "_", "doremi" = ""), x)
# "doremi g_k"

I guess it is because of the fact that the string 'doremi' contains multiple characters and me using the metacharacter . in gsubfn. I have no idea what to replace it with - I must confess I find the use of metacharacters sometimes a bit difficult to udnerstand. Thus, is there a way for me to replace '-' and 'doremi' at once?

Solution

  • Does this work for you?

    gsubfn::gsubfn(pattern = "doremi|-", list("-" = "_", "doremi" = ""), x)
[1] " g_k"

    The key is this search: "doremi|-" which tells to search for either "doremi" or "-". Use "|" as the or operator.