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Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

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    Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

    Customer has a messy antique flat file that is standard for their industry.
    Converting it to something reasonable to SQL is filled with conversions, lookups and duplication.

    It can be done with XBasic, but an ugly chore and there are many combinations of possible files.

    HOWEVER, they have some server-side .EXE programs that will do the conversion with command-line execution.

    • Upload flat file.
    • Execute conversion program.
    • Easy import.


    How might I launch something like "c:\Conversion.exe -flags C:\Upload\12345678.txt c:\Converted\12345678.csv" from AppServer?

    Carl
    Carl ~ Dallas, TX
    I'm so old that pool balls came with Roman Numerals

    #2
    Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

    Using xbasic?

    sys_shell("c:\Conversion.exe -flags C:\Upload\12345678.txt c:\Converted\12345678.csv")
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

      Perfect! I suspected it was out there, and the problem will show up in about a month.
      You have saved me a couple of nights of tossing and turning.

      Thanks!
      Carl
      Carl ~ Dallas, TX
      I'm so old that pool balls came with Roman Numerals

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

        Oddly enough that's the xbasic command noted as the See Also when one checks the documentation entry for Run Another Program. The entry itself explains the Action Script process to accomplish the same thing.

        <Not meant to be critical, just a trailmarker for future travelers.>
        Last edited by Stan Mathews; 11-07-2014, 06:25 PM.
        There can be only one.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

          I've led a sheltered Alpha life and been quite effective writing very little XBasic.

          Between SQL, Javascript and all the config-goodies, it seems to come together with only a few lines here and there.

          Now and then a Good Samaritan will point me in a direction (in this case, sys_shell) and yet another tool materializes.

          AA is about 5% of my work-life but as I am looking forward to retirement, I see a great future in post-retirement projects using this tool.

          Carl
          Carl ~ Dallas, TX
          I'm so old that pool balls came with Roman Numerals

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

            Flowheater will do this if you get stuck.

            https://www.flowheater.net/

            I have a couple of copies so if you get stuck I can convert it for you.


            Michael

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

              I've been looking at Altova.Com MapForce, but it looks WAAAY overkill to manipulate a vintage flat file.

              I told the customer that their file formats weren't even up to punched-card standards.
              Turns out they 'optimized' the format as they used to transmit them at 9600 baud.

              I'll look into FlowHeater and see if it makes more sense for their dumba** file format.

              Sure, I can write a program in xBasic to do it, but they have numerous file formats and getting a good tool makes more sense.

              Cheers from the Colonies!

              Carl
              Dallas
              Last edited by CarlMPearson; 11-12-2014, 09:12 AM.
              Carl ~ Dallas, TX
              I'm so old that pool balls came with Roman Numerals

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

                Their file has several record types forming a hierarchy. A1,B1,C1,D1 for example. Once an A record is found, that data applies to all future records until the next A record is found. Same for B, C, D. Then the D1 record has a D2 record which is only good for that one D1 record. There are record types to ignore. E1, F1 for example.

                Input file
                A1aaaa
                B1bbbb
                C1cccc
                D1dd1
                D1dd2
                D1dd3

                Desire output file, note how A1,B1,C1 is repeated (not really, but I can take it from there.)
                A1aaaB1bbbC1cccD1dd1
                A1aaaB1bbbC1cccD1dd2
                A1aaaB1bbbC1cccD1dd3

                Do you think FlowHeater can map that? I've downloaded but not tinkered with it yet.

                Carl

                PS: The file format got started at 2400 baud.
                Last edited by CarlMPearson; 11-12-2014, 03:45 PM.
                Carl ~ Dallas, TX
                I'm so old that pool balls came with Roman Numerals

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Starting a non-Alpha program to pre-process a flat file

                  Flowheater is probably a one man band and he is really helpful.

                  I would contact him.

                  Michael

                  Comment

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