This node allows you to write out a data file, it also allows you to set parameters on how to write out the file.
- File Name section allows you to choose the output data file to be written out.
- File Delimitor section allows you to specify what the field seperator is for the output data file. You can choose the Comma, Space, Tab or the Other. With the Other you can specify a single character that is used as the field seperator.
- File Options section allows you to select how the output data file should be written. Has the data file got a header and whether it is in UNIX format otherwise it is in DOS format. Strip Space option will remove leading and lagging spaces from the data elements. Add Quotes option will add surrounding quotes around the data element if the column type is DISCRETE.
- Output Data Columns section allows you to analyse the incomming connected node. Clicking the Analyse button will determine the columns of data fed in from the incomming node.
- File Format. The output file can be written as DOS or UNIX. The file will be delimited with the specified delimitor - most likely a comma. The output file may also contain missing values which are specified by the '?' symbol. You can also specify that your data has a header which will be the first line in the data file. You can choose not to write out the header in the output file.
NOTE: If the Comma is specified then the output file will conform to Microsoft's CSV (Comma Seperated Value) format, that is:
- If any data value contains the comma then that data value will be enclosed with in quotes (ie: $10,000 => "$10,000")
- If any data value contains the quote then that data value will be enclosed with in quotes and each quote will be proceeded with a quote (ie: The "Apple" was green => "The ""Apple"" was green")
- The first data value on any given row will begin at the begining of the row. That is no space characters will appear before the first character of the actual data value. If the data value requires quotes then there will not be any leading spaces before the quote.
- The above rule applies to the beginning of each data value when it will come immediately after the comma delimitor for the previous data value.
- The same treatment will occur for the Header row if chosen.