Use Notepad++ to change under_score_case to CamelCase?

Question

I can write a regular expression in NP++ to find under_score_case. I can use TextFX in NP++ to change case to upper and lower case by highlighting and selecting.

How can I use either NP++'s Find/Replace or TextFX's find and replace to stitch these together and convert under_score_case to camelCase?

I want to learn how to do this in NP++ not use a script.

Sample input:

this is_a_line
some more_data_over_here
whoop de_do_da

Desired output:

this isALine
some moreDataOverHere
whoop deDoDa

The regex to match the underscores would be _([a-z]). The replacement that I think exists, but I cannot find is something like _\toupper\1 .

Answer 1

I have a solution that's long and convoluted, but will work in Notepad++. It requires the use of regex, optionally normal search and replace, as well as TextFX.

1. Add a placeholder character to the front of each word, I chose Z. It probably doesn't have to be alphabetic, but it's easier for the last step. Using regex, search for \<([^ ]*)\> and replace with Z\1.
2. Replace existing spaces with a unique placeholder sequence. I chose #space#. This can be done with regex, but I prefer using normal or expanded.
3. Replace underscores with spaces. If there are any underscores that shouldn't be replaced, then a custom regex is probably required. I just did a straight search and replace.
4. Select all text, and from the TextFX menu, select TextFX Characters -> Proper Case.
5. Now we need to reverse the first 3 steps. Search for spaces, and replace them with nothing. Then search for your space placeholder sequence, and replace with a space. Finally, using regex, search for \<Z([^ ]*)\> and replace with \1.

Answer 2

I typically use vim myself as an editor. The following regular expression accomplishes what you're trying to do in vim:

%s/_\([a-zA-Z]\)/\u\1/g

From what I can tell (I fooled around with NP++ for a bit), Notepad++ does not understand the uppercase macro \u in Perl Regexp. You may not be able to do this entirely with Notepad++. Hopefully, someone will prove me wrong and make your day.