How to Read Memo Field Data from Delimited ASCII Files

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code

   ***************************************************
   *  Append data from any delimited ASCII file into
   *  a predefined FoxPro database file. The intent
   *  is to read in memo field data, but the program
   *  will also address files with varying delimiters.
   *  This program assumes that the target database
   *  file is currently in use, used exclusively, and
   *  in the current work area.
   ***************************************************
   PARAMETERS text_file, char_delimiter, field_delimiter

   ***************************************************
   *  Create an array of database structure.
   *  Determine number of records in array for FOR
   *  loop counting.
   ***************************************************
   =AFIELDS(structure)
   rows = ALEN(structure,1)

   ***************************************************
   *  Attempt to open text file with low-level handle.
   *  If the test is successful, continue; otherwise,
   *  report reason for failure.
   ***************************************************
   file_handle = FOPEN(text_file)
   IF file_handle < 0
      DO errhand WITH FERROR()
      RETURN .F.
   ENDIF

   ***************************************************
   *  Begin DO WHILE loop and continue until end of
   *  file marker is reached in text file.
   ***************************************************
   DO WHILE !FEOF(file_handle)
      APPEND BLANK
      FOR i = 1 TO rows
         IF structure[i,2] = "N"
            =readnum("",0)
         ELSE
            =readchar("",0)
         ENDIF
      ENDFOR
   ENDDO
   =FCLOSE(file_handle)


   ***************************************************
   *  Read numeric field data into corresponding
   *  field in database.
   ************************************************
   FUNCTION readnum
   PARAMETERS accum_text, count_comma
   DO WHILE count_comma < 1
      single = FREAD(file_handle,1)
      IF single = field_delimiter OR single = CHR(13)
         single = ""
         count_comma = count_comma + 1
         IF count_comma < 1 AND i > rows
            =FSEEK(file_handle,1,1)
         ENDIF
      ELSE
         accum_text = accum_text + single
      ENDIF
   ENDDO
   REPLACE &structure[i,1] WITH VAL(accum_text)
   accum_text = ""
   RETURN

   ***************************************************
   *  Read all field types in as character except
   *  numeric fields.
   ***************************************************
   FUNCTION readchar
   PARAMETERS accum_text, count_quotes
   DO WHILE count_quotes < 2 AND !FEOF(file_handle)
      single = FREAD(file_handle,1)
      IF single = char_delimiter
         single = ""
         count_quotes = count_quotes + 1
         IF count_quotes >= 2
            x=FREAD(file_handle,1)
            IF x = CHR(13)
               =FSEEK(file_handle,1,1)
            ENDIF
         ENDIF
      ELSE
         accum_text = accum_text + single
      ENDIF
   ENDDO
   REPLACE &structure[i,1] WITH accum_text
   accum_text = ""
   RETURN

   ***************************************************
   *  Error handling routine
   ***************************************************
   FUNCTION errhand
   PARAMETERS error
   DO CASE
      CASE error = 2
         reason = "File not found"
      CASE error = 4
         reason = "Too many files open"
      CASE error = 5
         reason = "File access denied"
      CASE error = 6
         reason = "Invalid file handle given"
      CASE error = 8
         reason = "Out of memory"
      CASE error = 25
         reason = "Seek error (can't seek before start of file)"
      CASE error = 29
         reason = "Disk is full"
      CASE error = 31
         reason = "Error opening file"
   ENDCASE
   WAIT WINDOW "Cannot open file: "+reason