import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;
public class Example {
public static void main(String[] args) {
final String regex = "((?:\\<[^<>]+\\>\\s?)?)([:]\\w+(?!\\w*[;]))((?:\\s?\\<\\/[^<>]+\\>)?)((?:(?:.(?!\\1\\2\\3))*.){2})\\1\\2\\3";
final String string = "testing this string <b>that should</b> <lin>:match</lin> very with a string, but the <lin>:match</lin> isn't what so simple, it <b>needs</b> to replace a certain <lin>:match</lin> (can be the first, seconds... anyone) in the whole <b>text</b>";
final String subst = "$1$2$3$4$1REPLACE$3";
final Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile(regex);
final Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(string);
// The substituted value will be contained in the result variable
final String result = matcher.replaceFirst(subst);
System.out.println("Substitution result: " + result);
}
}
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Java, please visit: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/regex/Pattern.html