Remove empty lines in Netbeans 7.x [closed]

Question

Is there any plugin, macro or built-in function that can remove empty or redundant empty lines in Netbeans 7.2 (PHP bundle, Windows 7)? Due to different line-break formats in my upload and download process (Win <> Unix, via FileZilla and Netbeans), many PHP files doubled (even quadrupled) their line breaks.

I could remove them file by file using PSPad - but I am looking for an automatic or batch-capable solution. I can accept an external tool if available.

Edit: I know about the Source > Format helper, but there are no settings to remove blank lines.

Footsie

it's worth pointing out the Netbeans 7.3 was released recently. I don't suppose it'll make any difference to this question, but you might want to upgrade anyway -- it has some good enhancements for PHP devs. – Chrisse

Answer 1

You can do this with a regular expression + and a replacement. Do this in an editor window or in the project (or files) directory tree:

• Ctrl + H
• Check "Regular Expression"
• Search for \n\n
• Replace with \n
• Click "Replace all" until all lines are deleted

If you want to keep a blank line you should:

• Search for \n\n\n
• Replace with \n\n

If you want to replace consecutive lines that are not empty but contain whitespaces only you should:

• Search for \n[\t\r]+$\n
• Replace with \n

Peisch

Works great, I can even choose a folder in the project tree, hit CTRL-H and apply the pattern to multiple files. I added a second expression to your answer - for empty lines with whitespaces. – Footsie

It should be part of netbeans autoformat; other editor has it :( – Melanymelaphyre

Answer 2

Try this one...

Ctrl + F (find) in Netbeans as Regular Expression:

\n\s*(\n)

and Replace All by

$1

Scotopia

Answer 3

In NetBeans 7.3 (I'm not sure about the earlier version, it should be available in 7.x)

Automatic removal:

Tools > Options > Editor > On Save > Remove Trailing Whitespace:

you can choose from: "None / All Lines / Modified Lines Only"

Manual way:

Alt + Shift + F

Vermont

it does not remove the empty blank lines if there is too many blank lines (\n) – Melanymelaphyre

Otherwise you wouldn't be able to insert intentionally empty lines to visually separate your code. This function is just for unification of lines endings. – Vermont

Answer 4

Yes there is one and this is a very important feature indeed. It depends on your settings but by default you can press Alt + Shift + F or find it in the context menu: Source > Format.

You can setup your own style for formating here: Tools > Options > Formatting. You can set this for all languages or individualy.

Hope this helps.

Ashcraft

Thanks - although you're basically right, there are no settings to remove blank lines. Source > Format was the place I hoped to get lucky, but there is nothing that does correct my line problem. – Footsie

The solution provided by Code-Source is fine. But nonetheless if you format the code (click in the editor window and press Alt+Shift+F) it actually does automatically adjust / remove indents and whitespace. At least in my netbeans editor this is the case. – Clung

works for me!!! excellent – Leekgreen