Simple comma delimited text file

Hi,

I have a simple comma delimited text file full of doubles such as

1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5
1,2,3,4,5
...
...
...etc

How would I read each "column" into an array in C?

I've tried something like this:

Code:

---

for (i = 0; i < num_rows; i++)
{
    fscanf(inf1, "%lf,%lf,%lf,%lf,%lf\n", &a[i], &b[i], &c[i], &d[i], &e[i]);
}

---

but the numbers are nonsense. I'm thinking that it's the newline that is messing it up. Any Suggestions?

Thanks!

The best way would be to read each line with fgets and then convert each number in another loop with strtod(). That way you can actually verify that the numbers are within the correct range. Between each number, you can use a loop to consume whitespace and the commas (strtod will consume initial whitespace but not commas).

Code:

---


for (i = 0; i < num_rows; i++)
{
    fscanf(inf1, "%lf%*c%lf%*c%lf%*c%lf%*c%lf%*c", &a[i], &b[i], &c[i], &d[i], &e[i]);
}

---

Try that.


you shouldn't put the newline in when you are using fscanf and the like.

hmmm the %*c didn't work.

I'm not familiar with strtod()- looking it up now.

What does "didn't work" mean? You should check the return value of fscanf. * means to scan but not save, and c means to read a character. The *scanf functions take specifically formatted data. If your file is actually formatted in a predictable manner, then it should work fine, assuming you match said format.


Quzah.

In the code snippet I posted above there is 1 too many %*c. SOrry about that. Just delete the one off the end and it should work.

I've never seen "%*c" before. '*' is used when an extra argument is passed for the number of chars expected. I don't see any extra args that are width related.

No. I already said what * is for. It's to scan-but-not-store.


Quzah.

Cross-posted

The %*c just produced more nonsense numbers. I tried it with and without the last %*c. I assumed the last one was for the newline. How does that handle the newline then?

Thanks!

I was able to get it to work using strtok() and this tutorial: C | /* StudentRec.c a simple stud - Sample demo to parse CSV text - JSENSYNR - Pastebin.com.

Thanks for all your help!