Reading Strings

[Bert]

I have a string that can look like the following example:

APPLE POWERMAC G4|APPLE-IMAC|COMPAQ DC5000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 2000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 4000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 5100|COMPAQ DESKPRO 6000|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN SFF|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN-CMT|COMPAQ DESKPRO EP|COMPAQ EVO D500|COMPAQ EVO D510|COMPAQ EVO D530|COMPAQ EVO D530 CMT|COMPAQ EVO W6000|COMPAQ EVO W8000|COMPAQ PROLIANT HD|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML330|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML380|COMPAQ PROSIGNIA|COMPAQ SP 750|COMPAQ XW6000|DELL OPTIPLEX|HP DC7100|IBM PC 300GL|IBM PC 300PL|UNISYS TELLER STATION

Each entry has a "|" separating them. What I'm looking to do is just extract from the list the ones that meet my need. For example, in the above string I want to capture any item that begins with the letter "C". Once captured, I want to put that information in a new string so my output would look like this:

COMPAQ DC5000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 2000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 4000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 5100|COMPAQ DESKPRO 6000|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN SFF|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN-CMT|COMPAQ DESKPRO EP|COMPAQ EVO D500|COMPAQ EVO D510|COMPAQ EVO D530|COMPAQ EVO D530 CMT|COMPAQ EVO W6000|COMPAQ EVO W8000|COMPAQ PROLIANT HD|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML330|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML380|COMPAQ PROSIGNIA|COMPAQ SP 750|COMPAQ XW6000

I'm having to go through and sort a list that is 15,000 items long. The above example is one of many things I have to sort, so I need to make it so it can be easily changed to the criteria I need.

I'm not sure on how to search for this, for as you can see, my question is very word intensive. I'm assuming this is just a couple lines of code. I'm just not sure how to do it. Thoughts?

[nfwu]

$ary = StringSplit($data, "|")
$stack = $_StackEmpty
For $i = 1 to $ary[0]
   If StringLeft($ary[$i], 1) = "C" Then
      _StackPush($stack, $ary[$i])
   EndIf
Next
;;;;Now, $stack is your array of values.

Requires my Stack UDFs:

#region _Stack UDFs by nfwu
Global Const $_StackEmpty = "Empty"
Func _StackPop(ByRef $avArray)
    Local $sLastVal
    If (Not IsArray($avArray)) Then
        SetError(1)
        Return $_StackEmpty
    EndIf
    $sLastVal = $avArray[UBound($avArray) - 1]
    If UBound($avArray) = 1 Then
        $avArray = $_StackEmpty
    Else
        ReDim $avArray[UBound($avArray) - 1]
    EndIf
    
    Return $sLastVal
EndFunc
Func _StackPush(ByRef $avArray, $sValue)
    IF IsArray( $avArray ) Then
        ReDim $avArray[Ubound($avArray)+1]
    Else
        Dim $avArray[1]
    EndIf
    $avArray[UBound($avArray)-1] = $sValue
    SetError(0)
    Return 1
EndFunc
#endregion

You could modify this to use regular expressions, if you want.

#)

[Uten]

I have a string that can look like the following example:

Each entry has a "|" separating them. What I'm looking to do is just extract from the list the ones that meet my need. For example, in the above string I want to capture any item that begins with the letter "C". Once captured, I want to put that information in a new string so my output would look like this:

I'm having to go through and sort a list that is 15,000 items long. The above example is one of many things I have to sort, so I need to make it so it can be easily changed to the criteria I need.

I'm not sure on how to search for this, for as you can see, my question is very word intensive. I'm assuming this is just a couple lines of code. I'm just not sure how to do it. Thoughts?

From the help file:

StringRegExp ( "test", "pattern" [, flag ] )
Flag  Values:
0 Return true/false (1/0) as to whether the test matched the pattern. 
1 Return an array with the text that matched all the group patterns. Check @Extended to determine whether the pattern matched or not. 
2 Same as 0.  
3 Perform a global search, checking the entire string, returning an array of all results. Check @Extended to determine whether the pattern matched or not.

So somthing like this should give you somthing to work with:

NOTE: I have not tested so its a sugestion to work with

$data= "|Compaq test|HP test|Code test|"
$arr = StringRegExp("|C.*|",$data,3)

[nfwu]

@Uten: Now that is a smarter method!

#)

[Bert]

Tried it, and it didn't work

I get this in Scite for output:

>AutoIT3.exe ended.rc:128

Edited April 12, 2006 by vollyman

[LostUser]

So somthing like this should give you somthing to work with:

NOTE: I have not tested so its a sugestion to work with

$data= "|Compaq test|HP test|Code test|"
$arr = StringRegExp("|C.*|",$data,3)

Very smart and short.

vollyman, you just need to make sure that your data file/string contains the | character as the first and last characters like vollyman's otherwise you could miss the first and last possible data matches.

[Bert]

I tried that. I tried every which way possible, and it doesn't report anything.

I tried the following to get a responce:

"|C.*|"

"C.*"

"C"

I get nothing for a return string.

[Bert]

I even tried this, and this didn't work either. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG???

$data= "Compaq test|HP test|Code test|"
$arr = StringRegExp("Compaq test|HP test|Code test|",$data,1)
MsgBox(0,"",$arr);test to see if desired string is correct

I still get a blank for a return string.

$data= "Compaq test|HP test|Code test|"
$arr = StringRegExp("|C.*|",$data,0)
MsgBox(0,"",$arr)

this gives a blank for a return string.

Edited April 12, 2006 by vollyman

[Uten]

NOTE: In my sample post I goofed and switched the pattern and the data entries in the StringRegExp call. Sorry about that

But, StringRegExp does not behave as I expected, not even after reading the documentation.

So some research is in its place.

My test code, reveals that there is no array returned.

#include <Array.au3>
$data= ";Compaq test;HP test;Code test;"
$arr = StringRegExp($data,"C.*t",3)
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
if not IsArray($arr) then ConsoleWrite("ERROR: Did not return array" & @LF)

_ArrayDisplay($arr, "Result")

I thought a | could have special meaning, and it does (in the pattern) so I have removed it in this test code.

[Bert]

Tried this also, and I get a blank for a return

expandcollapse popup

Global Const $_StackEmpty = "Empty"
$data= "Compaq test|HP test|Code test|Compaq test2|Compaq test3"
;$arr = StringRegExp("[Compaq]",$data,3)


$ary = StringSplit($data, "|")
$stack = $_StackEmpty
For $i = 1 to $ary[0]
   If StringLeft($ary[$i], 1) = "C" Then
      _StackPush($stack, $ary[$i])
   EndIf
Next
;;;;Now, $stack is your array of values.
MsgBox(0,"",$stack);test to see if desired string is correct
#region _Stack UDFs by nfwu


Func _StackPop(ByRef $avArray)
    Local $sLastVal
    If (Not IsArray($avArray)) Then
        SetError(1)
        Return $_StackEmpty
    EndIf
    $sLastVal = $avArray[UBound($avArray) - 1]
    If UBound($avArray) = 1 Then
        $avArray = $_StackEmpty
    Else
        ReDim $avArray[UBound($avArray) - 1]
    EndIf
    
    Return $sLastVal
EndFunc
Func _StackPush(ByRef $avArray, $sValue)
    IF IsArray( $avArray ) Then
        ReDim $avArray[Ubound($avArray)+1]
    Else
        Dim $avArray[1]
    EndIf
    $avArray[UBound($avArray)-1] = $sValue
    SetError(0)
    Return 1
EndFunc
#endregion

[Uten]

Turns out we have to wrap up any pattern in ().

Like this:

#include <Array.au3>
$data= ";Compaq test;HP test;Code test;"
$arr = StringRegExp($data,"(;C[a-zA-Z0-9 ]*;)",3)
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
if not IsArray($arr) then ConsoleWrite("ERROR: Did not return array" & @LF)

_ArrayDisplay($arr, "Result")

So no you have to sort out the |. Think I leav that out as an exerice

[Bert]

Some background. I have a program that reads the string and puts it into a list. The string must be in this format for the program to read it: item1|item2|item3

What I'm attempting is to design a update script that pulls data from a 15,000+ item excel spreadsheet and transforms it to the string format I need. I can do this part and put the data into a string, but I need to pull out sections depending on what the items are, such as all compaq items. when I pull the items, I need to create a string with just those items, and in the same format. If you look in my first post, you will see what I mean. I really need to solve this problem with working code.

Edited April 12, 2006 by vollyman

[Uten]

I need the "|" for the list, and in some cases, my list can be over 5000 items.

Also, I need the output string in the format like this: item1|item2|item3

Having it listed in an array wont work for what I need it to do.

So you have to find a way to include the | or find another solution, whatever suites you best. Happy hunting

[Uten]

Turns out we have to wrap up any pattern in ().

Like this:

#include <Array.au3>
$data= ";Compaq test;HP test;Code test;"
$arr = StringRegExp($data,"(;C[a-zA-Z0-9 ]*;)",3)
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
if not IsArray($arr) then ConsoleWrite("ERROR: Did not return array" & @LF)

_ArrayDisplay($arr, "Result")

So no you have to sort out the |. Think I leav that out as an exerice

Some background. I have a program that reads the string and puts it into a list. The string must be in this format for the program to read it: item1|item2|item3

What I'm attempting is to design a update script that pulls data from a 15,000+ item excel spreadsheet and transforms it to the string format I need. I can do this part and put the data into a string, but I need to pull out sections depending on what the items are, such as all compaq items. when I pull the items, I need to create a string with just those items, and in the same format. If you look in my first post, you will see what I mean. I really need to solve this problem with working code.

Obviously your out of imagination at the moment @vollyman. You hava a solution solving what you want, you just have to tweek it a bit. But it is not good enough for you since it does not give you the entier solution.

Even thought I'm abit pissed by that kind of atitude (you probably have a good exuse, and I probably have it my selfe from time to time, and you did modify your post to the better). So I wil give you the solution:

#include <Array.au3>
$data= "|Compaq test|HP test|Code test|Some thinge else|"
$arr = StringRegExpReplace($data,"(\|[^C][a-zA-Z0-9 ]*\|)","|")
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
ConsoleWrite("$arr:=" & $arr & @LF)

[Bert]

I'm really not trying to be annoying. believe me. I've been beating my head against the wall about this for several days now in fustration. sorry to offend.

I tried the solution you gave. It doesn't work. Again, I'm not trying to be a pain in the butt here.

[Uten]

I'm really not trying to be annoying. believe me. I've been beating my head against the wall about this for several days now in fustration. sorry to offend.

I know how it is, realy.

I tried the solution you gave. It doesn't work. Again, I'm not trying to be a pain in the butt here.

What did it return. On my system it returns:

@error:=0, @Extended:=2
$arr:=|Compaq test|Code test|

Witch is what you want, is it not?

It is probably a matter of creating the right regexp, wiche can be a real pain in the but

EDIT: I did not notice this before I posted but @Extended returns a warning even as the result is as expected.

Edited April 12, 2006 by Uten

[Bert]

I'm getting a error saying it didn't retrun the array.

I tried this, and it works, but it is messy. Also, I noticed it missed one of the items:

#include <Array.au3>
$_dataget= ";Compaq test;HP test;Code test;Compaq test1;HP test;Code test1;"
$replace = StringReplace($_dataget,"|",";")
;MsgBox(0,"",$replace)
$arr = StringRegExp($_dataget,"(;C[a-zA-Z0-9 ]*;)",3)
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
if not IsArray($arr) then ConsoleWrite("ERROR: Did not return array" & @LF)
;_ArrayDisplay($arr, "Result") 
$result1 =_ArrayToString($arr,"+")
$replace2 = StringReplace($result1,";","|")
$replace3 = StringReplace($replace2,"+","")
$replace2a = StringReplace($replace3,"||","|")
MsgBox(0, "this is the result",$replace2a)

[Bert]

Ok, I must have made a mistake, for your code is working, but in testing I changed the data to look like this:

$data= "|Compaq test|HP test|Other data|Even more data|Code test|Some thinge else|"

and the output would be |Compaq test|Other data|Code test|

I tried this data:

"|Compaq test|HP test|Other data|Even more data|Code test|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else"

and got this: |Compaq test|Other data|Code test|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else

[Uten]

Ok, I must have made a mistake, for your code is working, but in testing I changed the data to look like this:

$data= "|Compaq test|HP test|Other data|Even more data|Code test|Some thinge else|"

and the output would be |Compaq test|Other data|Code test|

I tried this data:

"|Compaq test|HP test|Other data|Even more data|Code test|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else"

and got this: |Compaq test|Other data|Code test|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else

I think the StringRegExpReplace has some odd behaviour. Probably due to the fact that we replace a part of the string with somthing we want to be a part of the next search.

So try this:

#include <Array.au3>
;$data = "|Compaq test|HP test|Other data|Even more data|Code test|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|Some thinge else|"
$data = "|APPLE POWERMAC G4|APPLE-IMAC|COMPAQ DC5000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 2000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 4000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 5100|COMPAQ DESKPRO 6000|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN SFF|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN-CMT|COMPAQ DESKPRO EP|COMPAQ EVO D500|COMPAQ EVO D510|COMPAQ EVO D530|COMPAQ EVO D530 CMT|COMPAQ EVO W6000|COMPAQ EVO W8000|COMPAQ PROLIANT HD|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML330|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML380|COMPAQ PROSIGNIA|COMPAQ SP 750|COMPAQ XW6000|DELL OPTIPLEX|HP DC7100|IBM PC 300GL|IBM PC 300PL|UNISYS TELLER STATION|"

do 
    $data = StringRegExpReplace($data,"([^a-zA-Z0-9 ][^C][a-zA-Z0-9 ]*[^a-zA-Z0-9 ])","|")
    $res = @extended
until $res <= 0

;$arr = StringRegExpReplace($arr,"([\|][^C][a-zA-Z0-9 ]*[\|])","|")
ConsoleWrite("@error:=" & @error & ", @Extended:=" & @extended & @LF)
ConsoleWrite("$arr:=" & $data & @LF)

On my system it ruturns:

@error:=0, @Extended:=0
$arr:=|COMPAQ DC5000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 2000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 4000|COMPAQ DESKPRO 5100|COMPAQ DESKPRO 6000|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN SFF|COMPAQ DESKPRO EN-CMT|COMPAQ DESKPRO EP|COMPAQ EVO D500|COMPAQ EVO D510|COMPAQ EVO D530|COMPAQ EVO D530 CMT|COMPAQ EVO W6000|COMPAQ EVO W8000|COMPAQ PROLIANT HD|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML330|COMPAQ PROLIANT ML380|COMPAQ PROSIGNIA|COMPAQ SP 750|COMPAQ XW6000|

[Bert]

I tried the script, and decided to try it with a different string to see what would happen. I had the script connect to the script that would put out the string I need to pull data from. I wanted to capture every application we list in the sheet. In the "C" section, we list about 50 applications. When I run it against the script you gave me, it kicked out only 17. hmmmm.... This search string thing is quite tricky to do.