Reading a large .DAT File

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2.00/5 (2 votes)

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I am trying to read a huge .DAT file.I even have the csv of the .DAT file from which I wish to read specific columns eg column 1 and 2 and write the columns to a listbox. But while reading I was getting B�A.

This is my c# code

C#

private void btnLoad_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    OpenFileDialog ofd = new OpenFileDialog();
    string path = "";
    ofd.FileName = "";
    ofd.ShowDialog();
    path = ofd.FileName;
    string[] sp;
    if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(ofd.FileName))
    return;
    string[] lines= File.ReadAllLines(path);
    for (int i = 0; i < lines.Length; i++)
    {
        sp = lines[i].Split(',');
        listBox1.Items.Add(sp[0]);
    }

}

Please let me know if I am making a mistake in the above code and help me to rectify it.

Posted 12-Oct-14 18:59pm

vivek murli

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Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 1:51am

And the structure of data in a file is...

BillWoodruff 13-Oct-14 5:06am

What is the specific error message you are getting ?

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Maciej Los · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-12T20:00:00

Solution 1

I'd suggest to read this: Much ADO About Text Files[^]. This is very good article about reading/writing text files using ADO. Note that, that article is bit old and does not corresponds to .NET methods, although it's worth of reading.

In this case the best way - in my opinion - is to use ADO.NET OleDb[^]. Here is an article which shows 2 ways to import data from text file: Using OleDb to Import Text Files (tab, CSV, custom)[^].

Try!

[EDIT]
Please, see my past answer: how to import .dat file into datagrid using c#[^]

The next set of articles:
Reading comma delimited files[^]
Read Text File (txt, csv, log, tab, fixed length)[^]
[/EDIT]

Posted 12-Oct-14 20:00pm

Maciej Los

Updated 12-Oct-14 21:34pm

v2

Comments

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 13-Oct-14 2:47am

5ed.
—SA

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 3:12am

Thank you, Sergey ;)

vivek murli 13-Oct-14 3:17am

I have updated my code

private void btnLoad_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
OpenFileDialog ofd = new OpenFileDialog();
string path = "";
ofd.FileName = "";
ofd.ShowDialog();
path = ofd.FileName;
BinaryReader br = new BinaryReader(File.OpenRead(path));
foreach (char ch in br.ReadChars(5000))
richTextBox1.Text += ch;
//br.Dispose();
}

but I am getting characters like B�A. and squares in outpuy.What is to be done

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 3:20am

This code is not related to my answer... You did nothing what i mentioned.

vivek murli 13-Oct-14 3:24am

But my Doubt was about reading a DAT file.I read the articles that you mentioned but not understanding anything

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 3:31am

As per i understand your dat file is not binary file at all. It's text file, but with *.dat extension. So, you can use ADO.NET to read it.
Please, see updated answer.

CPallini 13-Oct-14 3:46am

5.

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 3:48am

Thank you, Carlo ;)

BillWoodruff 13-Oct-14 5:04am

+5 Great answer.

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 5:13am

Thank you, Bill ;)
Do you have an account on LinkedIn? If yes, please provide me a link. I'd like to invite you ;)

BillWoodruff 13-Oct-14 5:37am

Hi Maciej, I am an old hermit in this incarnation :) ... don't use any "social networks" except this one. I appreciate the invitation ! cheers, Bill

Maciej Los 13-Oct-14 5:45am

There is a lot old hermits on LinkedIn, including me ;) If you ever decide to create account on LinkedIn, let me know.
Cheers,
Maciej