Array of clusters

[ATMA]

I have a text file like this:

[CANDIDATE1]
NAME=Thomas
AGE=25
INTEREST=Swimming
INTEREST=Reading
[CANDIDATE2]
NAME=Peter
AGE=23
INTEREST=Football
[CANDIDATE3]
......and so on...

I want to store each candidate's data into it's own cluster (Name, Age, Interest array) and all clusters from the entire text file result into an array itself (where each element contains a cluster of a candidate). After that, using the array size as limit, pass this array of clusters into a loop whereby each candidate cluster is passed into the loop and processed accordingly.

During the initial text file extraction process, how do i initiate a new cluster creation for each candidate (i would probably have 10 candidates, thus 10 clusters)?

[daveTW]

The attached picture shows you a way to do it.
But there is one problem with the structure of your text file, there are multiple keys "INTEREST" in one section. This won't work with these LV VIs, so you should change it to INTEREST1, INTEREST2 ... and then make an array of strings with it.



greets, Dave

Message Edited by daveTW on 07-20-2007 11:48 AM

[johnsold]

I agree with Dave that the config file VIs will work for you. The arrays start with element number 0 as all LV arrays, so you would have INTEREST0, INTEREST1, INTEREST2 ...

Lynn

[TCPlomp]

Hi,

I see one problem, your first candidate had several interests. You have to make sure every key name is unique. So better use the OpenG configuration tools they have all this covered (I think)

Ton

[Ben]

Nice example Dave!

I have one "hair-splitting" comment.

The File ref and error clusters should be wired to SR's to handle errors, and the posibility that the array of section names is empty.

Done splitting-hairs.

Again, nice example!

Ben

[daveTW]

Hey Ben,
I think this hair is as thick as a rope, of course, if the text file is empty or of wrong format, this is the case where the for loop is never entered. Thanks for the hint.
@ vcteo: did you succeed?

greets, Dave

[ATMA]

Hi guys, thanks for your support. I just got in today, so i'll start working on it and see how it goes.

DaveTW, thanks for your input. I understand that Labview has these config VIs but the reason i'm not using them is because i have CANDIDATES with different number of interests, some may have 2 others 3. In other words, i wouldn't know in the beginning how many dedicated INTEREST variables i would need. That's why i chose to have INTEREST as an array.

I'll try out both methods and see how it goes.

[BillMe]

What about:

INTERESTS = Swimming, Reading, LabVIEW programming, etc.

Leave as a string or split at the commas.

[ATMA]

Hi guys, i succeeded

I used Dave's method of config VIs and Bill's idea of using commas to place all interests unde 1 INTEREST key. Saved me alot of time playing around with match patterns VI etc.

Thanks guys!