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readin an ASCI test file

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    #1

    readin an ASCI test file

    I am trying to open an ASCII file that I get monthly from health department with the following code:
    hospFile = file.open("C:\epi1\Hackettstown\2011\02775_2011_0106D.asc")
    and it gives me an error "The number of argument or the type or more arguments do not match any existing function"

    Please help.

    This file I get monthly and as as as I can tell I have to read it via code because:
    the fileds are not separated by commas or quotes. It is all one big line of text that I will have to read it into fields via SUBSTR. Also this text file gets written to two access tables.

    basically I need to read the file and than loop until EOF. Any help with this will be appreciated.

    How do I read next line - record - until EOF loop and also how do I open up the text file?

    Thanks,
    raul Rego
    GatewayMCH
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: readin an ASCI test file

    Raul, have you taken a look at the help file information on the "file.open()" method? You must supply a second argument to the method, specifying the "type" of open you need.

    Then check the help file information on the file.read_line() method.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: readin an ASCI test file

      It is all one big line of text that I will have to read it into fields via SUBSTR.
      That is one approach. Another I found that can speed up the process is to read each line, mask it with commas, write the masked line to a new output file, repeat.

      The result is a comma separated output file ready for prime time.

      Sample conversion. In this example I also create a head_line of field names, comma separated, and write that to the output file

      Code:
      schema = ""
	[COLOR="#FF0000"]schema[/COLOR] = space(4)+","+space(5)+","+space(3)+","+space(7)+","+space(8)+","+space(8)+","+space(21)+","+space(7)+","+space(8)+","
	schema = schema + space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(13)+","+space(2)+","+space(1)+","+space(1)+","
	schema = schema + space(1)+","+space(11)+","+space(8)+","+space(6)+","+space(42)
	
	[COLOR="#0000CD"]head_line[/COLOR] = "Store"+","+"Sort"+","+"Rtype"+","+"Inumb"+","+"Deldate"+","+"Fridate"+","+"Desc"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Refnum"+","+"Refdate"+","+"Prdamt"+","+"Promall"+","+"Delamt"+","+"Restock"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Netamt"+","+"Breaker"+","+"Intype"+","+"Defind"+","+"Cancind"+","+"Ttlrtl"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Crtddate"+","+"Crtdtime"+","+"Filler"
	
	IF file.exists(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt")
		file.remove(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt")
	END IF
	
	fil = file.open(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\elst5897.b",FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
	fil.seek(0)
	output = file.create(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt",FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
	output.write_line([COLOR="#0000CD"]head_line[/COLOR])
	WHILE .not. fil.eof()
		inline = fil.read_line()
		outline = [COLOR="#FF0000"]mask[/COLOR](inline,schema)
		output.write_line(outline)
	END WHILE
	output.flush()
	output.close()
	fil.close()
      There can be only one.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: readin an ASCI test file

        Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
        That is one approach. Another I found that can speed up the process is to read each line, mask it with commas, write the masked line to a new output file, repeat.

        The result is a comma separated output file ready for prime time.

        Sample conversion. In this example I also create a head_line of field names, comma separated, and write that to the output file

        Code:
        schema = ""
	[COLOR="#FF0000"]schema[/COLOR] = space(4)+","+space(5)+","+space(3)+","+space(7)+","+space(8)+","+space(8)+","+space(21)+","+space(7)+","+space(8)+","
	schema = schema + space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(11)+","+space(13)+","+space(2)+","+space(1)+","+space(1)+","
	schema = schema + space(1)+","+space(11)+","+space(8)+","+space(6)+","+space(42)
	
	[COLOR="#0000CD"]head_line[/COLOR] = "Store"+","+"Sort"+","+"Rtype"+","+"Inumb"+","+"Deldate"+","+"Fridate"+","+"Desc"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Refnum"+","+"Refdate"+","+"Prdamt"+","+"Promall"+","+"Delamt"+","+"Restock"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Netamt"+","+"Breaker"+","+"Intype"+","+"Defind"+","+"Cancind"+","+"Ttlrtl"+","
	head_line = head_line +"Crtddate"+","+"Crtdtime"+","+"Filler"
	
	IF file.exists(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt")
		file.remove(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt")
	END IF
	
	fil = file.open(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\elst5897.b",FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
	fil.seek(0)
	output = file.create(A5.GET_PATH()+CHR(92)+"awgfiles\awgstmt.txt",FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
	output.write_line([COLOR="#0000CD"]head_line[/COLOR])
	WHILE .not. fil.eof()
		inline = fil.read_line()
		outline = [COLOR="#FF0000"]mask[/COLOR](inline,schema)
		output.write_line(outline)
	END WHILE
	output.flush()
	output.close()
	fil.close()
        oops!!! Thanks
        I had not checked the help file as i bought a book on XBasic from Dr Peter Wayne and that is where i got the coding.
        Thanks again,

        Comment

          #5
          Re: readin an ASCI test file

          Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
          Raul, have you taken a look at the help file information on the "file.open()" method? You must supply a second argument to the method, specifying the "type" of open you need.

          Then check the help file information on the file.read_line() method.
          Thanks Tom. I got the coding from an Xbasic book from DR Peter Wayne that I bought through AlphaSoftware. Do you know if there's a newer version of this or any other xbasic book?

          thanks,

          Comment

            #6
            Re: readin an ASCI test file

            Raul, you may enjoy following along as we develop xbasic solutions to the programming puzzles that are being posted here. Attempting your own solution to each puzzle can be a great way to learn.

            Comment

              #7
              Re: readin an ASCI test file

              Originally posted by Tom Cone Jr View Post
              Raul, you may enjoy following along as we develop xbasic solutions to the programming puzzles that are being posted here. Attempting your own solution to each puzzle can be a great way to learn.
              hadnt even look at it. I love the flexibility of Alpha but Xbasic is where I am week having move from another DBMS were the language structure was more like C.

              I will look at this every week from now on.

              Thanks again,

              Comment

                #8
                Re: readin an ASCI test file

                Thanks Stan,
                it works great.
                Is there a function where I can have the user navigate the drive/folders and pick the TXT file as it will be different every month from every health dept thus, making it impossible to hard code the file name.

                Thanks again,
                Raul Rego
                GatewayMCH

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: readin an ASCI test file

                  yes, go look at your other thread.
                  http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ve-and-folders

                  And there are methods to generate dynamic tree folders specifically for your folders if needed.
                  Mike W
                  __________________________
                  "I rebel in at least small things to express to the world that I have not completely surrendered"

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: readin an ASCI test file

                    ui_get_file()

                    You can specify a "start in" directory like

                    ui_get_file("Choose","Text(*.txt)","C:\temp\\","X")
                    There can be only one.

                    Comment

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