This class is used to define a file of records read by the Netrics Server. File types currently supported are:

CSV - Excel format CSV files.

Fixed Width - Files with fixed width fields.

In both cases the files may start with an optional header line defining the field names, and/or an optional header line defining the field types. If both are given the field names must be given first.

Record keys are defined in one of four ways:

No key - no key is given in the file, keys are generated by the server.

Leading key - an unnamed, untyped initial field in each data record provides the record key. This field does not appear in the header records, so data records will have one more field than header records.

Field Index - the index position (starting at 0) of the field containing the key is given. This field appears in all header records as well as data records, but this field is loaded as the record key and does not appear as a record data field.

Field Name - the name of the field containing the key is given. If this method is used then the field names header record must be present. This is like Field Index in behavior.

Simple examples of each file type are given below. All file types except Field Index are show with both header records. They are optional in all file types except Field Name where the Field Names header record is required.

No Key

first,middle,last,order
5,5,5,6
William,Jefferson,Clinton,42
George,W,Bush,43

Leading Key
first,middle,last,order
5,5,5,6
key1,William,Jefferson,Clinton,42
key1,George,W,Bush,43

Field Index (value 4)

William,Jefferson,Clinton,42,key1
George,W,Bush,43,key2

Field Name(value key)

first,middle,last,order,key
5,5,5,6,2
William,Jefferson,Clinton,42,key1
key1,George,W,Bush,43,key2