Data Handling Utilities in C

Data Handling Utilities in C is a unique sourcebook for C language programmers and software developers. The more than 150 functions presented here are specially designed for commercial applications — building in C, stressing effective user interaction and efficient data storage. But it's more than just another library of functions. This book offers a complete methodology for structured data entry in C, supported by comprehensive testing, quality assurance, and error control — a foundation for quality software design that no serious programmer should miss.

The book is in two parts. Part I lays the groundwork, discussing encoding, decoding, validation, and data field processing; standard interface definitions; and the concept of Logical Data Types. Part II implements the methodology in a complete function and program library centered on the seven most commonly used Logical Data Types: dates, times, dollars, telephone numbers, characters, integers, and reals. You'll find

• comprehensive utilities for encoding, decoding, testing, and manipulating each of the seven data types
• complete guidelines for modifying ready-made functions and designing your own data types
• full utilities for error detection and recovery
• valuable programming tips and techniques
• plus 12 useful programmer's reference appendixes — including technical notes, extensive vendor lists, and a complete source code index

All functions and programs will operate without modification in the PC-DOS environment using Lattice C. The authors provide notes, where needed, for adapting the routines to other environments. And the complete library is available on disk (sold separately).

• Part One: Structured Data Entry
1. Software Development Process
2. The Need for Logical Data Types
• The Logical Data Type Concept
• Limitations of C I/O Routines
• Overcoming the Limitations
• A Close Look at C Data Types
• File Design Issues
• Sorting Considerations
• Structured Data Entry Programming
• Summary
3. Encoding, Decoding, and Validating Data
• Encode Interface Definition
• Decode Interface Definition
• Data Validation Interface Definition
• Ev (Encode and Validate) Interface Definition
• Summary of Possible EN/DE/DV Error Return Codes
• Common Underlying Support Functions
4. Field Data Entry Processing
• Keyboard and Codes
• Video Coordinate System Standards
• Video Error Messaging
• The Mask Concept
• Getstr/Fgetstr Design Considerations
• Getstr/Fgetstr Pseudocode
• getstr/Fgetstr Interface Definition
• Getstr/Fgetstr Source Code and Commentary
• Putstr/Fputstr Pseudocode
• Putstr/Fputstr Interface Definition
• Putstr/Fputstr Source Code and Commentary
• Basic LDT Field Processing
• Summary of Possible Error Return Codes
• Common Underlying Support Functions
• Part Two: Logical Data Types
• Introduction: Part 2 Chapter Structure
5. Characters
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
6. Dates
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
7. Dollars
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
8. Integers
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
9. Reals
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
10. Telephone Numbers
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
11. Times
• Encode Function Development
• Decode Function Development
• Data Validation Function Development
• Utility Function Development
• Application Tips and Reminders
• Testing and Quality Assurance
12. Creating and Customizing Logical Data Types
• Modifying Common LDT Features
• Modifying Existing LDTs
• Creating New LDTs
13. Error Control and Recovery
• The Role of Function Return Values
• Methods of Trapping Ercs
• The Use of Log Files in Error Control
• Stdlog
• Error Messaging and Screen Printing
• Quality Assurance Testing and Stdlog
• Appendixes
1. Glossary
2. Bibliography
3. Vendors of C Products
4. Performing PC-DOS Interrupt Functions from Lattice C
5. ASCII Character Sets
6. _main Preprocessing Function for a Lattice C Program
7. Standard C Header Files
8. Utility Routines for Byte Reordering of C Data Types
9. Powers of 2 ^n Table
10. Check Digit Error Detection Algorithms
11. Value Range Computations for Native C Data Types
12. Linker Automatic Response Files (.lnk)

You need PC/MS-DOS and a Lattice-C compiler. I needed it in the 80-ties for a program, but it is over-worked and not very flexible or intelligent, but it does the work.