Question

I want to provide some template for a code generator I am developing. A typical pattern for class is :

public ${class_type} ${class_name} extends ${super_class} implements ${interfaces} {

${class_body}

}

Problem is if super_class is blank or interfaces. I replace extends ${super_class} with empty string. But I get extra spaces. So a class with no super_class and interfaces end up like :

public class Foo    {  //see the extra spaces before {?

${class_body}

}

I know I can replace multiple spaces with single, but is there any better approach?

EDIT :
I received some good answers, but it is not addressing the issue. I cannot specify the template, users will set it. Otherwise, what is the point? What if they like to to have :

public ${class_type} ${class_name} extends ${super_class} 
                                   implements ${interfaces} {

${class_body}

}

I guess I can always remove all white spaces between extends ${super_class} and
implements ${interfaces} when either one is blank. It will still not be perfect but will be better.

Answer 1

A good way will be to write a that blanks out a keyword with empty string and gobbles up the space upto the next keyword. The method signature will be :

void blankKeyword(String content, String keyword, String next);

It should not be too difficult to write.