using data from a .txt flatfile

severndigital

ok, .. so

i want to use information stored in a flatfile txt file.

the data is stored as follows

5|1|3|0|5|6
3|7|2|4|6|2
2|0|5|2|4|6

and so on

i need to use these numbers in equations within a php script.

how do i do it .. and more importantly how do i total across records for example

i would need to total all entries in the first column of each row within the file .. so 5+3+2 and so on

is there a way to define each "digit" location a variable or something?

i can't figure it out, please help ... please please please.

thanks a million in advance .. if i didn't explain it well please let me know i'll do my best to explain in further detail.

chris

Mordecai

Here's how I'd do it:
Use file() to get all of those into a single array (each new line is a different element): $file_ary = file('filename.ext');
Use a foreach structure to go through each one of these elements: foreach ($file_ary as $element) {}
Now you need to explode() each of these lines into multiple values: $num_ary = explode('|',$element);
Now, another foreach for each of these: foreach ($num_ary as $number) { }
Now add each of these numbers: $total += $number;
Before the end of the first foreach (the one with $file_ary), you need to output/use/store $total so you don't write over it.

severndigital

thanks .. i'll be toying with it today ..

one quick one .. what happens when new information is added to the text file??

also .. should i be using mysql instead ..

am i giving myself a MAJOR headache trying to use flatfile with this?

thanks again,
chris

piersk

Originally posted by severndigital
am i giving myself a MAJOR headache trying to use flatfile with this?

Well, I would advise using a database instead of using a flat file. It's so much easier to add and remove data.