Re: Can a 4GL program read an ASCII file?

Nick, YOu can read an ascii file into a table or temporary table using the load command: load from "file_name" insert into table name. In the header-detail relationship you describe, the problem may be with your definition of the table you load into. "Load" looks for column delmiiters in the ascii file and expects there to be a column, null or otherwise, for each column in each row you load. You might need to define the ascii file in such a way that it is a single column to informix and use a temporary table with a single column to read in to. Once you have it in the table you can determine whether it is header or detail information and operate accordingly. (Never forget in the creation of a temporary table, if you choose to use one, to create it with no logging.) Good luck -- Con Woodall Colorado St. U. | "Legal action brought against this Veterinary Teach. Hosp. | man for unfortunate or malodorous Ft. Collins CO 80523 | results of heeding his opinions will 303-491-1244 FAX 303-491-4414| be stoutly defended at the bar." Dewey, cwoodall@vth1.vth.colostate.edu | Cheatham & Howe-Atts. to the Tappet Bros -- On 14 Sep 1994, HoopsCraz wrote: > I'm trying to create a process that will read in an ASCII file one record > at a time and update appropriate tables based on a key. The ASCII file > consists transaction headers that may have one or many detail lines > following them. > > My question is this: Is it possible for a 4GL program to read directly > from > an ASCII file? I have looked briefly at using a C program, would this be > the > solution to choose, using PUSH and POP? > > Any suggestions would be appreciated. > > Nick Miles > American Tire & Service (division of Bridgestone/Firestone) > Rolling Meadows, IL > email: hoopscraz@aol.com > >