how to match function code block with regex

Question

What I like to do is remove all functions which has specific word for example, if the word is 'apple':

void eatapple()
{
// blah
// blah
}

I'd like to delete all code from 'void' to '}'. What I tried is:

^void.*apple(.|\n)*}

But it took very long time I think something is wrong here.

I'm using Visual Studio. Thank you.

Answer 1

In theory, regular language is not able to express a sentence described by context free grammar. If it is a one time job, why don't you just do it manually.

Answer 2

Switch to VI. Then you can select the opening brace and press d% to delete the section.

Answer 3

Finally did it.

^void.\*{apple|Apple}\(\)\n\{\n{(\t.\*\n)|(^$\n)}*^\}