One way would be to write a quick utility that accesses the text records sequentially, get the string length (use the SLEN function) and then parse the string one character at the time (use the SGET function), get the character code (use the ICHAR function) and then compare it against a range of valid character codes. I you look at an ASCII Character Code Table you will see that most text characters should fall between 32 (space/blank) and 122 (z). Alternatively you can just search for Character Codes 09 (TAB), 10 (Line Feed), 12 Form Feed), 13 (Carriage Return), 27 (Esc). Make sure that you check an ASCII table to ensure that you cover all the permissible characters for your data. Good luck,
Javier Valencia, PE President Valencia Technology Group, L.L.C. 14315 S. Twilight Ln., Suite #14 Olathe, KS 66062-4571 (913)829-0888 (913)649-2904 FAX -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 6:28 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RBWIN65 - identifying non-printable characters in text fields Can anyone tell me an easy way to determine if text fields in my database (i.e. name and address lines) contain non-printable characters that may have come from a mainframe import without being properly scrubbed? I'm printing checks to a PDF file using the rbase report writer, and then printing the PDF file to the laser printer for laser checks. I've got a database where everything is fine until now and then the alignment jumps by a line or two (kind of a bad thing when you're printing to pre-printed check forms!). I'm just guessing it may be some bad data in the name and address lines that I can't see, but I don't know how to identify it and clean it up if that is in fact the problem. Any help will be greatly appreciated. thanks, aj ----------------- NOTE: NEW AREA CODE FOR SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AS OF 06/14/2002 ----------------- Allan D. Jean Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP 330 East Jefferson Blvd., P.O. Box 7, South Bend, IN 46601 Office: Main (574) 232-3992, Direct (574) 236-7670, FAX (574) 236-7606 Home: (574) 231-1401, Home FAX (574) 231-1402 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This message may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you may not make any use of, or rely in any way on, this information, and you should destroy this message and notify the sender by reply email. Any opinions or advice contained in this email are subject to the terms and conditions in any applicable client engagement letter or service agreement. ================================================ TO SEE MESSAGE POSTING GUIDELINES: Send a plain text email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message body, put just two words: INTRO rbase-l ================================================ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send a plain text email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message body, put just two words: UNSUBSCRIBE rbase-l ================================================ TO SEARCH ARCHIVES: http://www.mail-archive.com/rbase-l%40sonetmail.com/ ================================================ TO SEE MESSAGE POSTING GUIDELINES: Send a plain text email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message body, put just two words: INTRO rbase-l ================================================ TO UNSUBSCRIBE: send a plain text email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message body, put just two words: UNSUBSCRIBE rbase-l ================================================ TO SEARCH ARCHIVES: http://www.mail-archive.com/rbase-l%40sonetmail.com/
