20
Comma Separated Files
Another common file format is a
Comma Separated File
. A TriCoder setup to upload in this format uploads data like this:
“DATA”,”DATA”(
CR
)
“111111”,”22”
“DATA”,”DATA”(
CR
)
data looks like:
“
222222”,”33”
“DATA”,”DATA”(
CR
)
“333333”,”44”
Each data item is surrounded by
double quotes
, creating a
field.
Fields of data are separated by commas. The
double quotes
allow
commas to be used as actual data as well as separaters (see the example below). At the end of all of the fields of data, a
Carriage
Return
is added to create a complete
record.
Modifying Program #1 as an example, the data uploaded would look like this:
“ITEM NUMBER”, “QUANTITY”
“0123456,12oz”, “15”
“ITEM NUMBER”, “QUANTITY”
“889384,8oz”, “940”
“ITEM NUMBER”, “QUANTITY”
“32834,20oz” , “7”
Where ITEM NUMBER is the first
field
, QUANTITY is the second
field
, and both fields together make a
record
.
To program the TriCoder to upload in this format, the first thing we must do is set the
Terminator Character
to “
None
”. The idea is
first, to stop the TriCoder from automatically sending the same character after each field of data, then second, customize the program
in the TriCoder to transmit a double quote before and after each data item, a comma after each field and a carriage return after each
record. To customize the program in the TriCoder, we use the
Suffix
to specify which character we want to precede or follow each
particular field. Using Program #1 as our example, we will walk through the steps required to upload Program #1 in a
Comma
delimited
format:
1.
Set the Terminator Character to NONE
To Change the
Terminator Character
in SETUP MODE.
Turn the TriCoder On
Select
#5
for
SETUP MODE
From the
TRICODER SETUP
screen choose
2
for
I/O SETTINGS
Choose
2
to cycle through the
TERMINATOR CHAR
options
CR
Is the default – The options are:
CR
–
TAB
–
NONE
–
CR/LF
Press
0
for
DONE/EXIT
When you have selected
NONE
Press
0
to exit
TRICODER SETUP
The Terminator Character follows each piece of data in Non Portable Mode also. If you change it to NONE and still need a CR while
in Non Portable mode, program the POSTAMBLE setup parameter (in OTHER SETTINGS) to be a CR (carriage return). Use the bar
coded Full Ascii Menu to scan:
CR
(and
LF
if serial)
2.
Program the Upload Prefix and Upload Suffix
After setting the
Terminator Character
to
NONE
, the next step is to enter
PROGRAMMING MODE
and program the
Upload
Prefix
and
Upload Suffix
for each field of data. For Program #1, we will program the
Prefix
and
Suffix
as follows:
Statement Prompt
Prefix
Suffix
ENTER ITEM NO.
“ (
double quote
)
“, (
double quote comma
)
ENTER QUANTITY
“ (
double quote
)
“CR (
double quote carriage return
)
Put the TriCoder in
PROGRAMMING MODE
Press
1
at the
PROGRAMMING MODE
screen (to edit program #1)
Press
2
at the
PROGRAM #1
screen
This will take you to the
< PROGRAM #
1
PROMPT
01
>
screen
Press
ENTER
or the down arrow until you move the cursor to the line:
PREFIX --
_
If you have data collected in the TriCoder (assuming you are following the tutorial), you will only be able to change the
Upload
Prefix
or the
Upload Suffix
. At the
PREFIX
prompt, scan the “
double quote
” bar code from the
Full Ascii Menu.
:
PREFIX --
“
_
Press the
ENTER
key to complete the change. This will move the cursor to:
