ns_getcsv

Overview

Read CSV data from a file

Syntax

ns_getcsv fileId varName

Description

ns_getcsv reads one line of CSV data from the specified file and and sets the variable specified by varName to a list of the elements in that row. Any quotes in the line of data are removed. ns_getcsv returns the number of elements in the row.

If there are no more lines in the file to read, varName does not get set, and ns_getcsv returns -1 as the number of elements in the row.

A CSV file is an ASCII file containing rows of data in the following syntax:

• Elements in each row must be separated by commas.

• Each row must end with either \n, \r, or \r\n.

• Elements that contain commas, newlines, or carriage returns can be surrounded by double quotes (e.g., "foo,bar").

• If an element surrounded by double quotes also contains a double quote, you can escape the interior double quote by using two double quotes (e.g., "Evander ""Real Deal"" Holyfield"

• White space that isn't inside double quotes is ignored. For example, the line: 'bob, sarah, mary' will result in the list {bob sarah mary}.

• Null entries are okay, either embedded in the line or at the end of a line. For example, the line: 'bob,,sarah, ' will result in the list: {bob {} sarah {}}.