Positional Flat File without Tag Identifiers

Question

I struggling with designing a schema for a positional flat file without tag identifiers.

The file contains a header, data rows and a footer where the length of a row is 230 characters. The format is as follows:
<headerfield1><headerfield2><headerfield3><field4><filler>
<field1><field2><field3><field4><...>
<field1><field2><field3><field4><...>
...
<footerfield1><footerfield2><footerfield3><filler>

I tried designing a schema, but it results in only 1 data row, and the data of the other data rows end up in the footer. When I edit the source file so that it does have tag identifiers, it results in the desired result.

Can something tell me if the above is possible out of the box or do I have to write some custom code?
I'm looking for some help to push me into the right direction.

Thanx.

Answer 1

Well, having a system parsing a flat file without tag identifiers is really hoping for the best :-)

Anyways, I'd try setting "PArser optimization" to "complexity" and "lookahead depth" to 0 in the properties of the "<Schema>" node in the tree and see if that helps.

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eliasen, representing himself and not the company he works for.
Three times MVP and three times MCTS in BizTalk.
Blog: http://blog.eliasen.dk

Answer 2

I already tried changing the Lookahead Depth and Parser Optimization properties, so I was afraid you were gonna say "hoping for the best".
Thanks for the confirmation. Any suggestions for a 'best practice' solution?

Answer 3

Try emailling me your schema and flat file instance. In the mail, insert a link to this thread, so I can find it.

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eliasen, representing himself and not the company he works for.
Three times MVP and three times MCTS in BizTalk.
Blog: http://blog.eliasen.dk

Answer 4

If you have more time to look at the issue and provide more information, please feel free to change the issue type back to “Question” .If the issue is resolved, we will appreciate it if you can share the solution so that the answer can be found and used by other community members having similar questions.

Thank you!

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Microsoft Online Community Support

Answer 5

Hi Andrew.

Actually, he emailed me the schema and instance - but I just haven't had the time to look at it yet - I'll try making it this weekend.

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eliasen, representing himself and not the company he works for.
Three times MVP and three times MCTS in BizTalk.
Blog: http://blog.eliasen.dk

Answer 6

Hi

Sorry to say, but I can't get BizTalk to parse this flat file using this schema. As I see it you only ahve two options:
1. Create your own disassembler component to parse the flat file
2. Get the sender of the flat file to add tag identifiers.

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eliasen, representing himself and not the company he works for.
Three times MVP and three times MCTS in BizTalk.
Blog: http://blog.eliasen.dk

Answer 7

Thanks for the confirmation.
I already started with the first alternative, since the second alternative is unfortunately no option.