[comp.databases] DBase III+ SDF files output question

SLORES@umiami.miami.edu (Stanislaw L. Olejniczak) (09/26/89)

Dear DBase III+ (or FoxBase+, I guess) users:

I would like to copy contents of a DBase III+ file into an
SDF file in such a manner as to intersperse information from
fields of the database with blank "fields" of specific length
and location.  For example, if the database has fields

Field  Type    Size    Decimal         Contents
-----  ----    ----    -------         --------
A      C       3                       AAA
B      C       5                       BBBBB
C      N       3       1               1.5
D      C       3                       DDD

I would like to output a record

AAA       BBBBB  1.5     DDD

The actual number of database fields and number of blank SDF
"fields" is large.

I do not want to waste space by creating never used fields in
the database to include the blanks in SDF.  I have thought of
either creating a dummy database with such fields, copying
the records to be extracted into the dummy database, dumping
them with the blank records into an SDF file, and zapping the
dummy database; or writing a C program to process an SDF file
created from the original database.  If you have any other
suggestions, I would appreciate it if you would pass them on
to me.

I would appreciate direct e-mail letters.  I will create a summary in due
time and post it to this newsgroup; if you would not want to have your
reply included, or do not want excerpts verbatim quoted, or any algorithms
listed or dissiminated, please specify so.  The summary will likely NOT
include any answers already posted this newsgroup.

Thanks in advance!
----
Stan Olejniczak               Internet:         slores@umiami.miami.edu
University of Miami, FL USA   UUCP: (temp void) gould!umbio!solejni
SLORES@UMIAMI.BITNET          UUCP: (?)         umigw!gables!slores
Voice: (305) 547-6571         FAX: (305) 548-4612  
My opinions cannot possibly represent the views of anyone else!