parse text file and export to xml file using C#

[boukaka]

Hi there,

I have a text file that does not have any delimiters - it is simply assumed that I know how long each field is and they are always in the same order.
(i.e. JOHN DOE 12345606JUN072007JUL2009 34 PXP)

Using C# I need to:
1. Grab the information in the text file.
2. Parse it out by grabbing the different "fields" (5th to 9th char = name, 24th to 27th is product etc).
3. Sort the fields into the order I want (i.e. move the dates to the beginning, then the last name, then first name then product etc)
4. Export the result to an XML file.

Is there a Sample of C# code out there or a tutorial ANYWHERE that will show me how this is done? I'm at my wits end.
Thank you for any help!
Gwenna

[Tzumer]

This is classic for the use of regex ( Regular Expressions )
do you need code samples for that?

[Egypt_81]

this code works i did it for u, try it and tell me if u need more help

private void parse()
{
string sLine, sName, sProduct, sDate;

//initialize reader from ur existing text file ex. datafile.txt
// IF UR TEXT FILE IN NOT ON THE bin/debug use the full path
StreamReader sr = new StreamReader("datafile.txt");
//grab the first in a string
sLine = sr.ReadLine();

//cut the string into the parts u want as name, date,...
sName = sLine.Substring(5,3);
sDate = sLine.Substring(15,18);
sProduct = sLine.Substring(24,3);
sr.Close();

StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter("outputfile.txt"); //enter the full path for the output file
//write the substrings u have now in an output file
sw.Write(sDate+" ");
sw.Write(sName+" ");
sw.Write(sProduct+" ");
sw.Close();
}

[Egypt_81]

Don't forget to use
using System.IO;

regards,
Hesham el ebrashy