NANY 2013 Release: Text Merge from CSV and Template text files.

[anandcoral]

Well as I develop different projects, I create similar code files for main, menu, about etc. routines. Also there are database read/write codes which differ only in field names.

Initially when I used to do project after 1/2 months gap, I did not cared much, but now that I have to get 2/3 projects ready in less than a week, I started looking for something like mail merge facility but for plain text files.

I found "FilesFromCSV" http://www.somebytes...-1-FilesFromCSV.html, which does it but I need more features.

I found Ath's HTML Mail Merge https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=25114.0, but I want non-java, as I do not have java.

There were more discussion of similar requirements
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=29688.0
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=30684.0

Well I made one a raw mode exe, just to get me started on it.

I envision the following features for it,
  1. CSV file can have comma, semi-colon or tab separated text.
  2. No multi line text in CSV, at least for now.
  3. Single or all template files from a template folder.
  4. Generated text file names can be controlled from CSV data.
  5. Field or global variables like current date, time etc. for replacement.

Now I need advise from DC members if this will be useful app to make for general. Maybe I missed that there already exist what I want. Please let me know about it.

Regards,

Anand

NANY 2013 Entry Information

Application Name	Merge CSV and Text
Version	1.1.2
Short Description	Merges column data from CSV file in text files, like mail merge.
Web Page	https://sites.google...ite/mergecsvandtext/
Download Link	https://sites.google...ecsvandtext/download

Description
Merges column data from CSV file in text files, like mail merge.
Case conversion of merged text can be done, also system date values can be written in merged text file.

Features
As a programmer, many times I find myself in a situation where I need to make a program which has same basic routines of company selection, help and about modules, done in previous program. The codes are same but the name, version, description etc. of the program is different. Obviously both program cater to different requirement and have different entry, report etc. menus. But there are codes which are more or less similar between programs.

I wanted a tool which could create the similar codes from template files by merging the required values of name, version etc. from a CSV file. Since as a programmer we generally work with code files which are basically text files, and CSV file can also be termed as a text file.

Since Merge CSV and Text works on text file other than programmers, like authors, writers, reviewers etc. can use it to generate the initial writeup from the template text and csv files.

Screenshots
https://sites.google...andtext/screen-shots

[rgdot]

Even in the days of php and the like, believe it or not I can personally use good csv to html (or txt) tools, similar to FilesFromCSV but in my case for example multi line is a must.

[Ath]

but I want non-java, as I do not have java

-anandcoral (October 15, 2012, 11:39 AM)

??? Sun/Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE), that Excel2Html requires as runtime framework, is free ($ 0,--), also on your side of the globe, AFAICS.

[wraith808]

^ Some people just don't want Java on their machines.  Not saying that there's anything wrong with it.. but some people say the same about .NET, or even the VBRuntime back in the day.  It's a decision, like any other...

[Ath]

^Hm, was a bit afraid of that being a possible reason. NP.

If I'd have to do an alternative to Excel2Html, f.e. to create the above pledged tool, I'd probably write it in C# using the .NET runtime

[anandcoral]

Nothing against Java or .Net. I already have .Net 2.0 installed since it is required by few of our in-house program. But did not went for any higher version, neither used any program which needed it.

Java once I installed for a calendar-reminder program, but it used to take lots of time to load, also I experienced system slow down, so did not go for it after the OS upgrade. I do not blame Java for it, may be my machine was not up to date.

wraith808 is right. It is something I try to avoid. As it is not required for my development and all my clients also do not have or use the same.

Anyway, I have decided to go ahead, since the features I require are more specific to me and I want a small portable win-exe.

Thanks for the information.

Regards,

Anand

[anandcoral]

Well I did it , thanks to GOD.

See the original message above for details.

Since my wife needed to be hospitalised 2 weeks before and now she needs rest, my time was divided between family and work. As I promised, I was ready to give a night's sleep for myself, but can not cut my family time.

Well here I am working after my family has gone to sleep. Just managed to make the website and the download app. Well the finishing touch is missing, but at least I am able to release the app for NANY 2013.

Merge CSV and Text helped me to make the website faster as the text for the site was built from the template of my other freeware site.

Though one more app is pounding in my head but I doubt if I will be able to release it by tomorrow night, i.e. 31/12/2012.

Regards,

Anand

[Ath]

It's great you have finished and released it in time, congrats 

[kyrathaba]

Good job, Anand! I hope your wife is doing better...

[anandcoral]

Thanks Ath and kyrathaba.

Yes she is fine. But I was running fever last night and could not release one more app as I was planning.

Anyway I am happy that at least I was able to make one for NANY 2013.

Regards,

Anand

[anandcoral]

Updated to version 1.1.2

Changes:
- Merging process now shows progress bar, number of CSV data rows and number of input text files.
- Option to create log file of merging process.

Original message is also updated.

Regards,

Anand