Re^6: read the filename column

... the record is fixed-width.

Yes, but fixed to what width?

That's the problem with specification-by-example, often used in PM postings because it is simply too tedious to include a complete, formal specification. One can infer from the example data of the OP that the width of the final field is 8 or 9 characters and is always 'roadtest'. (GrandFather uses 9; I'm not sure how you settled on 10.) But if this field is always 'roadtest' (i.e., is a constant), why bother to parse it at all?

That's when my PP (Programmer's Paranoia) kicked in and I thought it would be better to assume only that the final field would have no embedded whitespace (made originally for my variable field width solution) and so 'A*' would be safer, therefore better.

Comment on Re^6: read the filename column

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^7: read the filename column by Anonymous Monk on Jul 10, 2011 at 21:19 UTC
That's the problem with specification-by-example ...That's when my PP (Programmer's Paranoia) kicked in and I thought it would be better to assume only... FWIW, I think its much ado about nothing :) the original poster learned about unpack, whether the example cut/paste works for OPs actual data doesn't matter -- the OP now knows enough to 1) use unpack 2) ask a follow up question	[reply]