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SPLAT - merge two files combining records based on position in file

 

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SPLAT

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Introduction

Performs a simple sideways merge of two files.

How to use

The process works by simply adding each record of the second file onto the end of the record for the first file. If matching fields are found, then the value from the second file replaces that of the first; but there is no requirement for matching fields. The records are assumed to be in the same order in each file (not necessarily sorted on any field) and there is no check for missing or matching records. The user must ensure that records in each file match each other, or the output will be meaningless.

If one file is exhausted before the other, the remaining records from the other file are written to the output file, with absent data fill.

A typical use for SPLAT is to add fields onto the end of existing records in a file.

Files, Fields and Parameters

Input Files

Name

Description

I/O Status

Required

Type

IN1

First input file.

Input

Yes

Table

IN2

Second input file.

Input

Yes

Table

Output Files

Name

I/O Status

Required

Type

Description

OUT

Output

Yes

Table

Output merged file.

Notes

This process carries out very limited checks, and the user is advised to use SPLAT only on files with exactly the same number of records.

Example

!SPLAT     &IN1(ASSAYS),&IN2(NEWASSAY),&OUT(ALLASSAY)

Error and Warning Messages

Message

Description

Solution