Java Matcher lookingAt() method

The lookingAt() method of Matcher class is used to match the input sequence against the beginning of the text. This method is similar to matches() except the difference that matches() match the regular expression against the whole text.

Syntax:

Parameter

No parameter

Returns

true if, and only if, a prefix of the input sequence matches this matcher's pattern

Example 1

import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;
public class MatcherlookingAtExample1 {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		    Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile("This is", Pattern.CASE_INSENSITIVE);
	        Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher("this is java language");
	        System.out.println("lookingAt = " + matcher.lookingAt());      
	}
}

Test it Now

Output:

lookingAt = true

Example 2

import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;
public class MatcherlookingAtExample2 {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
        String input    =
                "java programming language " +
                " Write once run anywhere";

        String regex= "java programm";
 	 Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile(regex, Pattern.CASE_INSENSITIVE);
        Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(input);
        // searches against the beginning of the text only
        System.out.println("lookingAt = " + matcher.lookingAt());
        //Searches against the whole text
        System.out.println("matches   = " + matcher.matches());
    }
}

Test it Now

Output:

lookingAt = true
matches   = false

Example 3

import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;
public class MatchelookingAtExample3 {
	public static void main(String[] args) {
        String input    = "java programming language " +
                		" Write once run anywhere";

        String regex= "java programm";
        Pattern p = Pattern.compile(regex, Pattern.CASE_INSENSITIVE);
        Matcher m = p.matcher(input);
        // searches against the beginning of the text only
        System.out.println(" lookingAt = " + m.lookingAt());
        if(m.lookingAt())
        	System.out.println("  "+m.toString());      
    }
}

Test it Now

Output:

  lookingAt = true
  java.util.regex.Matcher[pattern=java programm region=0,50 lastmatch=java programm]

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