RE: Name Parse

Couple of thoughts (in ILE RPG pseudocode)

D SlashArray        2 B 0   Dim(40)
D BlankArray        2 B 0   Dim(40)
D NonStandardName...
D               S       40 A     Inz('LAST SUR/FIRST MID/')

C           '/'            Scan   NonStandardName       SlashArray           30

 * After this line executes, SlashArray will look like this 09 19 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . . . . .
     in other words, the Scan found a '/' at position 9 & 19.

C           ' '            Scan   NonStandardName       BlankArray           31

 * After this line executes, BlankArray will look like this 05 15 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . . . . .
     in other words, the Scan found a ' ' at position 5 & 15.

Therefore, several things are known.  We can tell if the are 2 slashes (assumed correct format) by saying, If  SlashArray(2) > *Zeros.  We can tell if the are 2 blanks (assumed correct format) by saying, If  BlankArray(2) > *Zeros.  If there are two slashes and two blanks, we can AssUme the correct format.  It's then pretty easy to extract the parts.  You can extract the parts as follows:

D                             Eval FirstName = %SubSt(NonStandardName : 1 : BlankArray(1) - 1)

D                             Eval SirName   =  %SubSt(NonStandardName : BlankArray(1) + 1 :
D                                                           SlashArray(1) - BlankArray(1) + 1)
 * In other words SirName = substring of NonStandardName, starting at 6 for a length of 3

I'll let you figure out the First & Mid.  Any questions, drop me an email.
  
[Schlemme, Michael C.] 

---Original Message-----

From:   bill totz [SMTP:robsurge@hotmail.com]
Sent:   Tuesday, March 07, 2000 2:21 PM
To:     RPG400-L@midrange.com
Subject:        Name Parse

Hello List

We have been given the unfortunate task of parsing a non standard naming
format and breaking it down into the serparte parts of first middle last and
surname (if one is present.)

The name field is a 40 byte field formatted "LAST SUR/FIRST MID/"

I basically just want 4 fields back containing the first middle last and
surname(if present).

We are attempting to accomplish this by moving the string into an array, and
using an index to count through the array a byte at a time and setting
indicators when certain conditions are met, such as a blank, or a '/'.
However, my partner and I are incredibly new to the RPG world, and are
getting lost in the complexity of writing this routine. We are devout
followers of this list and would appreciate any available help, so that we
can keep our jobs. :)

______________________________________________________
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