GPEDIT compares each character in data record to corresponding character in mask provided by user. Mask indicates that alphabetic or numeric character is allowed or that blank or punctuation mark is anticipated. Mask can also indicate that any data character other than some invalid character is allowed

Dash, J. B.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1972
	 B72-10620 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
GPEDIT 
The problem: 
There is a general need to detect and eliminate or 
correct data records which are out-of-format. Incor-
rectly formatted data can cause premature termination 
of FORTRAN programs. Bad input can cause useless 
output or may result in an excessive amount of 
processing to correct. 
The solution: 
GPEDIT compares each character in a data record to 
the corresponding character in a mask provided by the 
user. The mask indicates that an alphabetic or numeric 
character is allowed or that a blank or punctuation mark 
is anticipated. The mask can also indicate that any data 
character other than some invalid character, is allowed. 
If no editing of certain characters is desired, this can be 
indicated. No analysis of numerical values, or editing of 
alphabetic text is possible in GPEDIT. 
How it's done: 
This program analyzes each data record and con-
structs a coded data string, using the same characters 
that may appear in the mask. This coded data string is 
then matched with the mask. If any symbol in the test 
line does not conform to the corresponding mask 
symbol,a return code is set not equal to zero and control 
returns to the calling routines. If all characters tested
fit the format, the return code is set equal to zero and 
control returns to the calling routine. 
The length of the data record to be edited cannot 
exceed eighty characters. If the initial length of a line 
exceeds 80, or is equal to 0, the return code will be set to 
a non-zero value and control will return. If the size is to 
be increased, the source deck must be changed. 
Notes: 
- GPEDIT is written in assembly language for the 360 
under OS/360. It requires 2BA 16
 bytes of memory 
not including system library routines. The time 
required to check an 80-character line is extremely 
small. 
2. Inquiries concerning this program should be directed 
to:
COSMIC 
112 Barrow Hall 
University of Georgia 
Athens, Georgia 30601 
Reference: GSC-1 1308
Source: John B. Dash of

Computer Applications, Inc.

under contract to

Goddard Space Flight Center

(GSC-1 1308) 
Category 09 
9
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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GPEDIT

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