asked on

txt files

I want to be able to read off of a text file but not the whole thing at one time. I want to be able to choose what i want to use.
This is what i have. A loop but it prints everything out.
my text file has...

5(number of people)
Josh
300.00
1955
Alvin
300.00
1956
Chad
300.00
1966
Ben
300.00
1968
Arnold
300.00
1970

#include<stdio.h>

int main()
{
    FILE *f;
    char file_txt[1024];
    f = fopen("output.txt", "r");
    
    while ( fgets(file_txt, sizeof(file_txt), f) != NULL )
    {
        fprintf(stderr,"%s", file_txt);
    }

    fclose(f);

    return 0;
}

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ozo

how would you want to make the choice and how would you want to use the text?

HelpMeMaggi

ASKER

Well lets say i want to get all the names on one single line when i print them out. Or all the years on one line.
What i want to print out is "Josh owes me 300.00 since 1955."
and i want to print out the rest of the people the same.

preraksheth

You should do the following (assuming you have correct formatting for your file ensured)

- create an int variable state - it can have three possible values: NAME, AMOUNT, SINCE (defined as say 0, 1, 2)
- initially set the state to NAME
- within the read loop, discard everything before first name
- now apply following logic in the loop
- check the state
- if state = NAME read line and store in local var name and set state to AMOUNT
- if state = AMOUNT read line and store in local var amount and set state to SINCE
- if state = SINCE read the line, store in local var since, print to your output file and change state to NAME
- Repeat above till you finish the file!

preraksheth

More clarified description

- create an int variable state - it can have three possible values: NAME, AMOUNT, SINCE (defined as say 0, 1, 2)
- initially set the state to NAME
- within the read loop, discard everything before first name
- now apply following logic in the loop
- check the state (better done using a switch/case on state var)
- if state = NAME read line and store in local var name and set state to AMOUNT
- else if state = AMOUNT read line and store in local var amount and set state to SINCE
- else if state = SINCE read the line, store in local var since, print to your output file and change state to NAME
- Repeat above till you finish the file!

HelpMeMaggi

ASKER

That is very confusing. I kinda understand it but to be honest i do not understand it.

HelpMeMaggi

ASKER

How do i get rid of the new line? it makes it print out on different lines.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

preraksheth

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preraksheth

It seems there are replies provided, and I believe they are correct ones - the deletion reason is not valid