How to parse Java properties which contains variables?

I'm loading a file of Java properties which looks like:

transfer_detail = Transfer {0} from {1} to {2} on {3}

After parsing that property I should have String that looks like:

Trans开发者_运维知识库fer 200.30 from Debit Account to Credit Account on 2011/01/26

I implemented my self a parser which looks like:

// simplified for brevity
private static String translate(String string, String... replacements){
    String result = string;
    for(int i = 0; i < replacements.length; i++){
        result = result.replace("{"+i+"}", replacements[i]);
    }
    return result;
}
// and I use it this way:
String result = translate("transaction", "200.30", "Debit Account", etc...);

What I've been wondering is if there's something to do so in the J2SE API. Even for simple things like this I don't like to reinvent the wheel. Do you know any other easier or cleaner way to achieve this?

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You want to use the MessageFormat class for filling in the placeholders with actual values.

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Don't do that... it's yucky. :)

Use MessageFormat instead.

MessageFormat form = new MessageFormat("Transfer {0} from {1} to {2} on {3}");

System.out.println(form.format(new String[] {
        "200.30",
        "Debit Account",
        "Credit Account",
        "2011/01/26"
}));

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API MessageFormat doesn't work with messages containing quotes.

You have to manually do the job by using regex for example.