The Delimited-Field CSV Format
Rationale:
Delimited-field or CSV format is the most common supported file. Address Lists can have invalid CSV records.
It is important that you have a basic understanding of what CSV is and the few simple rules that are necessary for it to be valid.
You will need to know this when patching invalid delimited-field Address List records.
See Also: Repair Delimited Field
CSV has been around since the beginning of computing and remains a standard for information interchange because it is:
• Robust - No overflows - fixed-field sets limits on a field length when exceeded by data length causes overflow
• Efficient - Fixed-field will use the maximum number of space whereas delimited-field uses what is needed
• Universal - Everybody supports CSV - EXCEL can open and "save-as" CSV
CSV is the preferred EX24x7 file format because:
• File definition is easier
• Easier of interpret - EZ24x7 has a delimited-field sniffer that helps you with first time file description
• Bulletproof
Having made the case for CSV, let us examine what it is.
Examples used in CSV explanation use single quotes around "Interpreted Fields"</="text-decoration: none". The single quote is not part of the field data.
• Each record is one line - Line separator may be LF (0x0A) or CRLF (0x0D0A)
When editing the CSV file, you see LF (0x0A) or CRLF (0x0D0A)" as line breaks.
• Fields are separated with commas.
Example
555-3201,2405 LILLIAN ST,FORT WORTH TX
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- '2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- 'FORT WORTH TX'
• Leading and trailing white space is ignored.
Example
555-3201, 2405 LILLIAN ST , FORT WORTH TX
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- '2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- 'FORT WORTH TX'
• Use of double-quotes preserves white space.
Example
555-3201," 2405 LILLIAN ST"," FORT WORTH TX"
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- ' 2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- ' FORT WORTH TX'
• Embedded commas - Field must be delimited with double-quotes.
Example
555-3201,2405 LILLIAN ST,"FORT WORTH, TX"
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- '2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- 'FORT WORTH, TX'
• Embedded double-quotes - Embedded double-quote characters must be doubled, and the field must be delimited with double-quotes.
Example
555-3201,2405 LILLIAN ST,"FORT WORTH ""COWTOWN""", TX"
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- '2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- 'FORT WORTH TX "COWTOWN"'
• Embedded line-breaks - Fields must be surrounded by double-quotes.
Example
555-3201,2405 LILLIAN ST,"FORT WORTH
COWTOWN", TX"
Interpreted Fields
1st- '555-3201'
2nd- '2405 LILLIAN ST'
3rd- 'FORT WORTH TX
COWTOWN'
• Fields may always be qualified with double quotes.