Importing Data From a Flat File

[Anon]

Hi,
I want to import some data from a text file into different tables. There is certain data which I have to ignore and certain bits I need to pick. This data goes into Different tables depending on what kind of a data it is. I need to read character by charater and pick and place the data some where. Can someone tell me the best way to do this?

Adwait

[Anon]

Hmmmm? Sounds like your flat file is a mess. My first stab at this might be to parse the data in the flat file into several more meaningful flat files. Then just import those files into your DB.

Otherwise, you are going to have to build a fancy parser, and populate the DB on the fly. I've done that sort of thing, and it can get mighty time consuming, but you may have no choice.

What's in this file anyway, and who designed it that it needs to be databased?

[Anon]

The file contains the anthropometric data collected from by a Robot Arm. The data is collected by Anthrocam(a software) and it is dumped in the text file. We need to import that data in the tables in order to study the variation of the measurements of different people. I am very new to MSA and need some help. I would be very happy of someone would suggest me how to attack this problem.

Stinger wrote:

Hmmmm? Sounds like your flat file is a mess. My first stab at this might be to parse the data in the flat file into several more meaningful flat files. Then just import those files into your DB.

Otherwise, you are going to have to build a fancy parser, and populate the DB on the fly. I've done that sort of thing, and it can get mighty time consuming, but you may have no choice.

What's in this file anyway, and who designed it that it needs to be databased?