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1992-02-28
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SmartParser version 1.4
February 28, 1992
Copyright (c) 1990, 1992, Huntington Software
9152 Brabham Drive, Huntington Beach CA 92646
All Rights Reserved
INTRODUCTION
The SmartParser program PARSER.EXE converts ASCII report files
into Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets without the need for using the
Lotus /File Import or /Data Parse commands. It reads a report
file, parses the data into rows and columns containing labels and
numbers, and creates a spreadsheet file in WKS format. This
spreadsheet can then be read directly by Lotus 1-2-3.
The program runs in two modes: Automatic, and Profile. In
automatic mode the program scans your report file looking for
columns separated by blanks, and then parses the columns and
creates a Lotus spreadsheet file. In profile mode you must first
define where the columns are located. The program uses this
information to parse the columns and is much more accurate. A
profile can be saved for any future conversions of the same
report. SmartParser is described in more detail in this file.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED, BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO
TEST ALL POSSIBLE USES FOR THE PROGRAM, AND ERRORS IN CONVERSION
CAN OCCUR. Please check your spreadsheet for accuracy after using
this product, particularly number cells. In no event will
Huntington Software be liable for any damages, including loss of
data, lost profits, or any other incidental or consequential
damages arising from the use of this product.
LIMITED LICENSE
This software is distributed on a "shareware" basis. It is not
free software, or in the public domain. You are granted a
license to use this copy of SmartParser for a free 30 day evaluation
period. If you continue to use SmartParser after the evaluation
period, you must send a registration fee of $40 to Huntington
Software to obtain a perpetual single-user license. For your fee
you will also be sent a diskette with the latest version of the
program, and FREE UPGRADE to the next release when available.
You may give this program to others provided you follow these
restrictions: The program file (PARSER.EXE) is not modified in
any way, the documentation file is included (PARSER.DOC), and you
disclose the legal requirement to register the software for use
beyond the 30 day evaluation period. This software program is
owned by Huntington Software and is licensed for use to registered
licensees. You may not sell the program, but you may charge a
modest fee to distribute the program on diskettes or electronic
bulletin boards.
QUICK START
To install on a hard disk, simply copy the files into a directory,
and make that the current directory (more on this later). To demo
SmartParser, you can run it from floppy or hard disk. From the
DOS prompt, type PARSER to start the program (PARSER.EXE). Select
"Smart Parse" from the main menu by pressing ENTER. Then select
the demo file PARSER.WID. SmartParser will convert the Widget
Sales Report to a spreadsheet named PARSER.WKS.
Lotus 1-2-3 provides a "/File Import" command that will copy a
report file into a spreadsheet, but each line of the report
becomes a long label in column "A". The Lotus 1-2-3 user can
then use the "/Data Parse" command to identify and separate
columns. Although these commands work, they are awkward and
time-consuming to use. The goal of SmartParser is to save you
time and automate this process - leaving you more time to get
your real work done!
"ASCII" FILES
An "ASCII" file is one that contains no special word processing
or database codes. This means the file contains only ASCII
characters that can be printed on a printer, like letters,
numbers, and a few codes like form-feed and carriage return.
Typically, this file would be a report downloaded from a mainframe,
but it could also be a print file from another PC program that is
directed to disk rather than the printer. For example, in Lotus
1-2-3 if you use the /Print command and specify "File" an ASCII
report file with the extension of "PRN" will be created for your
spreadsheet report.
Please note that your file should NOT be in "comma delimited"
format required for the /File Import Numbers command. The file
should simply be the report as it would be printed on a printer.
SmartParser is intended for files that contain data in columns -
such as typical financial reports.
HARD DISK INSTALLATION
SmartParser can easily be installed on a hard disk. The file
PARSER.EXE can be copied into any directory in your DOS PATH.
The documentation file PARSER.DOC should be copied into your
current working directory. If you are not sure what
directories are in your path (or what that even means), you can
install SmartParser into the same directory with your Lotus 1-2-3
program files and drivers. The easiest way is:
1 Start Lotus 1-2-3 as you usually do
2 Type the /System command to get a DOS prompt
3 Copy the files by typing: COPY A:*.*
4 When copying is complete, type EXIT to return
DIRECTORY SUPPORT
Like Lotus 1-2-3, SmartParser can be set up to use a directory
other than the current directory for reading report files and
saving spreadsheet files. Select "Directory" from the main menu.
Enter the default directory and/or disk drive as you would in the
Lotus 1-2-3 /Worksheet Global Default Directory command. To save
the setup in a configuration file, select "Keep setup" from the
menu and SmartParser will use the directory at startup whenever it
is run. The configuration file is named PARSER.CFG and will be
saved in your current DOS directory.
RUNNING SMARTPARSER
SmartParser can be run by typing PARSER at the DOS prompt. This
can be done prior to running 1-2-3, or from the /System command if
you are running 1-2-3. SmartParser only needs 64K of available
memory to run, and is not memory-resident. Menu selections can be
selected by highlighting your choice with the arrow keys and
pressing enter, or by pressing the first letter of the command.
To convert a report automatically, select "Smart Parse" from the
main menu. A file selection screen will appear. Select the file
to be converted with the arrow keys, and then press enter.
SmartParser will scan the file, and create a Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet
in Lotus 1A format. (This format can be used in other releases of
Lotus 1-2-3 as well, including 2.1 and 3.0.) The spreadsheet file
name will consist of the report file with an extension of "WKS".
For example, a report file BUDGET.RPT will be converted to a file
named BUDGET.WKS. If the spreadsheet file already exists, it will
be replaced.
To convert a report using a profile (location of columns) read the
next section. This is a much more accurate way of conversion and
is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RUNNING FROM DOS PROMPT OR BAT FILE
SmartParser can also be run from the DOS command line. The
opening screens and menu are bypassed. This also allows running
the program in a BAT file of DOS commands.
PARSER <report-filename> <profile-filename>
Type PARSER followed by a space and the full file name (WITH
EXTENSION) to be converted and the file selection screen will be
bypassed. SmartParser will use automatic mode to create a
spreadsheet.
To use profile mode, use the second optional parameter. Type the
full name (WITH EXTENSION) after the report file name. This will
convert the report file using the profile file you specify. The
extension does not have to be S$P - but must be included.
PROFILES
SmartParser will estimate column locations based on patterns in
the data, but may get it wrong. Complex reports are more prone to
error than simple ones with lots of blanks between columns. You
can pick the columns yourself, and define them to SmartParser in
profiles that are saved on disk. A profile only needs to be
created once, and can then be used whenever the report needs to be
converted into Lotus 1-2-3. (Assuming the data changes, but the
report layout stays the same.) The menu choices are: "Create
Profile", and "Use Profile".
CREATE PROFILE
When you select this option, the file selection screen will
appear. Choose the report file you will be defining. It will
then be shown on the screen as a guide for selecting the column
locations. You can move around in the report with PgUp, PgDn, Up
and Down arrow keys, and shift left or right 40 characters (1/2
screen) with the TAB and Shift-TAB keys.
To select column locations, use the Right and Left arrow keys to
position the cursor at the beginning of each column. When the
cursor is positioned where you want, press ENTER. A "*" will
appear at the top to show where you want the column to be parsed.
If you change your mind, position the cursor on the "*" and press
Delete to remove the setting. Press "L" if you want to define a
column that will ALWAYS be labels even if it contains numbers (for
example, a column of part number).
TIP: Remember that LOTUS right-justifies numbers, and left-
justifies text. You should try to place the * immediately AFTER
numbers to show the start of the next column - and not right over
the first digit of the number. The settings in this example work
for this data, and would also work for much larger numbers:
-------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * *
ACME HARDWARE SALES REPORT
PRODUCT SALES RETURNS COST PROFIT
HAMMERS 400 10 900 30
DRILLS 30 3 450 13
NAILS 1200 15 420 55
-------------------------------------------------------------
When you are finished, press ESC to exit the screen and save the
profile. It will use the report file name, and add an extension
of S$P. For example, the profile for SALES.RPT would be names
SALES.S$P.
USING PROFILES
Select "Use Profile" from the main menu. The file selection
screen will appear. Choose the report file you want to convert
(NOT the profile name). SmartParser will look for a profile file
name consisting of the report file name with an extension of S$P.
It will then start converting the report using the profile
settings.
CREATING PROFILES MANUALLY
SmartParser profiles can also be created manually using any word
processor that supports DOS or ASCII formats (no word processing
special codes). The files can even be created on a mainframe to
match the report format and downloaded with the report files. For
some examples, you can create some profiles and then examine them
with the DOS type command.
The first record must contain the following line (all in upper
case) to identify the file as a SmartParser profile:
SMARTPARSER COLUMN PROFILE
The next record uses a COLS= command to define column
locations, where a, b, and c represent the location of columns A,
B, and C. These comma-delimited numbers are repeated for as many
columns as needed. (If you run out of room, the COLS= command can
be repeated on additional lines.)
COLS=a,b,c
Here is an example of a profile SALES.S$P with columns located at
1,14,20,27, and 32:
SMARTPARSER COLUMN PROFILE
COLS=1,14,20
COLS=27,32
As decribed above, the profile file name must consist of the
report file name with an extension of S$P. If you have defined a
default directory, it must be in that directory.
WELCOME SCREEN
If you would rather not see the initial welcome screen with the
countdown, you can eliminate it. Use the following DOS command to
set an "environmental variable" prior to running PARSER. You can
even add it to your autoexec.bat file.
SET SPINTRO=OFF
FILES
The following files are being distributed with SmartParser. If
you downloaded the product from a bulletin board or obtained it
from a Shareware distribution service, please let us know if you
are missing any so we can provide an update.
PARSER.EXE The SmartParser program
PARSER.DOC Documentation manual
PARSER.REG Registration form
PARSER.WID Widgets demo report file
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark of Lotus Development Corporation.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, SUPPORT
Please direct any questions, comments, and suggestions for
improvements to me (the author) at the address below. I'm
extremely interested in knowing how to improve the software!
Better yet, please contact me on CompuServe at id: 72040,1640
We are not able to offer telephone support at this time, except
for site licensees with a maintenance contract (for information on
this please contact us). For support, please write to this
address, or send an E-mail message on CompuServe. Replies will be
made within 1 week.
Steve Jackson
Huntington Software
9152 Brabham Drive
Huntington Beach CA 92646
CompuServe Id: 72040,1640
SmartParser
REGISTRATION FORM
Remit to:
Huntington Software
9152 Brabham Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
From:
Name: ______________________________________________________
Company: ______________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: __ Zip: _______
Quantity Unit Price Total
___ SmartParser $40.00 __________
Shipping and Sales Tax will be paid by Huntington Software
Disk format: [ ] 3-1/2" [ ] 5-1/4"
Where did you obtain the program? ______________________________
Your CompuServe Id (optional): ______________________________
What improvements would you like? ______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What other kind of programs would be of interest to you?
_________________________________________________________________
Other Comments:
ver 1.4 February 28, 1992