Accessing List elements by name instead of by number...

Question

// open the file "data.csv" which is a CSV file with headers
            using (CsvReader csv = new CsvReader(new StreamReader(textBox1.Text), true))
            {
                int fieldCount = csv.FieldCount;
               
                string[] headers = csv.GetFieldHeaders();

                while (csv.ReadNextRecord())
                {
                    List<string> list = new List<string>();
                    for (int i = 0; i < fieldCount; i++)
                    {
                        list.Add(csv[i].ToString());
                    }
                    lInventory.Add(list);
                }
            }

Right now I am using Add to cycle through each field. There is an array 'headers' which is loaded with the headers in string form. It might contain values like "QTY","TITLE","DESCRIPTION". I would like to be able to access list more like 'list["QTY"]' or perhaps more like lInventory[0]["QTY"]. I have the structure set up but I'm just not at at all sure how to make the leap from this point to where I would like be with names.

It is probably worth mentioning that csv[i] and headers[i] would be the same column.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I am not familiar with the CsvReader class that you are using.  Does it provide a way to get a DataTable from the CSV file?  That would allow you to do what you wanted, it would seem. 

--
Mike

Answer 2

if you are using this: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Articles/ViewDownloads.aspx?aid=9258

looking at the source,  looks like it implements an indexer off of the field name -

try -

using (CsvReader csv = new CsvReader(new StreamReader(textBox1.Text), true))
{
    string[] headers = csv.GetFieldHeaders();
    while (csv.ReadNextRecord())
    {
        lInventory.Add(
            headers
                .Select(fieldName => csv[fieldName])
                .ToList()
        );
    }
}

---

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Answer 3

That is precisely what I am using. I visited your link and saw the name of Mr. Lorion there. That's very interesting how you are using that code. I am going to have to try it out! Thank You!

Answer 4

not my code. .  just binged CsvReader and looked at the source

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Answer 5

There does not seem to be a .select underneath headers...

Answer 6

using System.IO;
using LumenWorks.Framework.IO.Csv;
void ReadCsv()
{
    // open the file "data.csv" which is a CSV file with headers
    using (CsvReader csv = new CsvReader(
                           new StreamReader("data.csv"), true))
    {
        myDataRepeater.DataSource = csv;
        myDataRepeater.DataBind();
    }
}

There is this sample but I am confused about how a DataTable might apply to this.

Answer 7

Always add

using System.Linq;

to the list of your using statements.

---

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Answer 8

The target for my project has to be .NET 2.0. Does Linq exist there?

Answer 9

Ack!!! Why in the world would you be targeting framework 2.0?????????????

using (CsvReader csv = new CsvReader(new StreamReader(textBox1.Text), true))
{
    string[] headers = csv.GetFieldHeaders();
    while (csv.ReadNextRecord())
    {
        List<string> data = new List<string>();
        foreach(string header in headers)
        {
            data.Add(csv[header]);     
        );
        lInventory.Add(data);
    }
}

---

gimme some slamming techno!!!!

Answer 10

It's because of eBay... I really appreciate you sharing your code with me...