I've parsed data like this before, but I have a feeling that I am doing it isn't the most efficient.

I am setting flags for each section and then reading lines for that section until the flag changes.

Here is a sample of the data

It's RPSL data in case anyone is already familiar.

aut-num:       AS19710
as-name:       ASN
descr:         S4R
admin-c:       SNE1
tech-c:        SNE1
import:        from AS3356 63.215.71.1 at 63.215.71.2 action pref=20; 
+med=50;
               from AS3356 63.215.86.133 at 63.215.86.134 action pref=
+50; med=150;
               accept ANY
import:        from AS3847 action pref=10;
               accept ANY
export:        to AS3847
               announce AS19710
export:        to AS3356
               announce AS19710
notify:        nwcontact@email
mnt-by:        S4R
changed:       andy@email 20010502
source:        LEV

[download]

My problem is sections like import: and export: that span multiple lines without a section heading at the start of each line. Is there a standard method for handling something like this?

In reply to Best way to parse multiline data? by jalewis2

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