NamePatternFilter

NamePatternFilter is a software component used to filter data by matching item names against a set of patterns. It is commonly seen in text processing and build or archive tools, where selective processing of content is required. In many implementations, NamePatternFilter forms part of a filtering framework or chain and operates by evaluating the name of each input element against configured patterns.

The filter maintains a collection of name patterns, which may be defined using wildcards or regular expressions. A boolean setting determines whether matches are included or excluded. During processing, each input item’s name is checked, and depending on the configuration, the item can be passed through unchanged, transformed, or omitted from the output. This behavior makes NamePatternFilter effective for tasks such as narrowing the scope of processing to relevant files or entries.

Common usage scenarios include filtering the contents of text streams or resource files in a build process, or restricting entries in archives to those whose names match specified patterns. Examples include selecting only files with certain extensions (such as *.java) or excluding test resources (for instance, test/*). The filter is typically used within a FilterChain or similar composable pipeline, enabling multiple filters to be applied in sequence.

In implementation, NamePatternFilter usually adheres to a standard Filter interface, supports configuration of multiple patterns, and includes options for case sensitivity and negation. It is often provided as part of a broader filtering library or framework, such as that used by Apache Ant or comparable build tools.

See also: Apache Ant, FilterChain, RegexFilter.