Date:         Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:25:47 -0400
Reply-To:     Arthur Tabachneck <art297@NETSCAPE.NET>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Arthur Tabachneck <art297@NETSCAPE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Regular expression question on fixing csv file
Comments: To: Ming Chen <chenming@GMAIL.COM>

Ming,

Out of curiosity: is each item on a separate line followed by a CR/LF?
That is, are the codes always the first entry on a record, followed by the
description?

Art
--------
On Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:01:12 -0400, Ming Chen <chenming@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>I am trying to import a client csv format data file with comma within some
>columns. Since the client won't  fix their crap and the boss thinks we can
>fix it by at least manually  removing the comma in the txt field.
>
>By checking the data, I am sure that regular expression can come to rescue
>me since there are some obvious patterns in the data. However, I am just
>know a little bit the regular expression stuff and I really need some help
>here.
>
>
>Here are some sample data:
>columns: code1, code1_desc, code2, code2_desc, code3,code3_desc,
>code4,code4_desc,code5,code5_desc
>
>111111,VANITY TOP OVAL , 31X22",4456,MARBLE FACTORY,
>The,30,Plumbing,3002,Finish Plumbing,060,Bathroom Furniture
>22222,MIRROR 251/2X21/4X33, NLCM-2433,9250,FOREMOST ,GROUPS
>INC,30,Plumbing,3002,Finish Plumbing,060,Bathroom Furniture
>3333,ACID ,BRUSH 1/2" 3/PK,1120,OATEY CANADA SUPPLY CHAIN
>SERV.CO.,30,Plumbing,3004,Rough
>Plumbing
>444,FLARED MALE AD,. 1/4X1/4  48-4B,4056,FAIRVIEW FITTINGS & MFG,
>LTD,30,,3004,Rough Plumbing
>
>I am sure that I can fix the csv file just by removing the comma in the 5
>code_desc columns and there are only number with comma before and after
the
>desc part.
>
>Thanks
>
>Ming