NeoSoft Support Forum

[redjr]

I have a problem in trying to evaluate a simple run command using a variable in the path of a literal file name. My code is shown below.

I have checked this and rechecked it over and over again, used the debugger to look at the value of [ProgPath] and in every case my Result flag keeps getting returned as 'False' and my file is not executed.

If I substitute the literal path for [ProgPath] the file runs just fine. It's been commented out of the code shown below.

I'm beating my head against the wall with this one and I know it must be something really silly that I'm not seeing, but I'm running out of patience. The value for [ProgPath] is getting set from a parsed value being read from a file, but the debugger shows it as being read correctly. And yes, the file is located where this code is pointing to and the name is correct. I even highlighted the name in Windows and 'copy and pasted' it into my code just to be sure.

This is pretty basic and simple code, so that makes it more baffling as to why it's not running correctly. Any ideas where to look?

[Wrangler]

If [progpath] is outside the pub directory, did you try adding ! before the path?
_________________
Wrangler
--------------
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes. - Wrangler

Software made with NeoBook
http://highdesertsoftware.com

[redjr]

[Wrangler]

First we would need to determine what the unwanted character is. I open up the text file in NoteTab Pro, which shows me hidden characters. I then use StrReplace to replace the unwanted character with "". You can get the hex number for the character from an ascii table.

You may also want to look at what WRITES to the file. You could maybe nip it in the bud to prevent it from writing unwanted characters in the first place.

Your code looks fine to me. The problem seems to be a hidden character in the read file.
_________________
Wrangler
--------------
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes. - Wrangler

Software made with NeoBook
http://highdesertsoftware.com

[Gaev]

redjr:

Step 1 - see if the [ProgPath] content from the two methods are identical

[redjr]

[Wrangler]

Try opening the file in a raw text editor like UltraEdit. Most of these editors can be made to show hidden characters.
_________________
Wrangler
--------------
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes. - Wrangler

Software made with NeoBook
http://highdesertsoftware.com

[redjr]

[Gaev]

redjr:

[redjr]

Gaev/Wrangler,

Thanks for all your help with this. I discovered what the problem was and have worked out what appears to be a relatively simple fix.
Early on in my code I parse the line in my file as such;

[redjr]

Hi Guys,

I'm adding more code to my app, and basically I'm trying to populate a list box with the matching results read in from a text file(MASTER_List). This is basically the same code we discussed in the thread last week with a few key changes to add the items it loops through to a ListBox instead of a ComboBox. In fact, some of the code is verbatim. I copied and pasted it into another object.

I can't for the life of me figure out why my ListBox25 is not showing anything after the code is executed. I've gone thru it line by line, compared it to what I did last week, examined output from the debugger and still I'm coming up empty.

Perhaps some additional set of eyes may discover something either fundamentally flawed, or basicially pretty silly that I'm not doing correctly, or simply overlooking. As always, any input would be appreciate.

[Gaev]

redjr:

Whenever you have a situation where the encountered behaviour differs from the expected result ... it helps to break up the process into smaller chunks and see (eliminate) the parts that do behave according to expectations.

In your case ...

a) Immediately before the Loop command, place an AlertBox command to show the value of variable [flen] ... i don't see where this variable is populated !!!

b) Assuming it contains the correct value (i.e. number of lines in the MASTER_List.txt file) ... insert another AlertBox command immediately after the FileRead command to show both [Y] and [Linedata]


This will confirm (or not) whether you are correctly reading the lines.


If you are ... the next step is to see see how each line in the file navigates through your remaining code e.g.

[redjr]

Gaev,

You are correct. I should have put some AlertBoxes in. The 'flen', 'Y' and LinePart data are correct. I can get down to the following section of code and even though the AlertBox shows the record #(Y) and LinePart2 being equal to ProgName, the If condition is not being evaluated for some odd reason. Really weird. I know there's a perfectly logical reason why it's not - I just haven't found it yet. The two AlertBoxes inside the If statement are never displayed. So, it's back to more detective work. My first thought was more embedded non-displayable characters in what I'm parsing, but I viewed the file in a Hex editor and the only thing between them is the tab [#9]. No space, or anything else.

[Gaev]

redjr:

[redjr]

Gaev,

I used the hex-editor and sure enough there was an additional space [#32] following LinePart2. Not sure how all these 'spaces' are getting into my text file. Is there a preferred, or eloquent way to check for these spaces - either during data entry, or when parsing the lines in the file while reading? I'd like to clean these up at the point of writing to the file rather then later. Obviously, there are spaces within some of the text, but not before or after the text block(s) I'm trying to parse into variables. Suggestions?

Thx again for your help and insight.

redjr...