Append record to existing file using dataport

ataris

Hi All,

Been a few years since using the forum ...

I need to export information into a csv file and send this to a FTP site. I created a dataport to export the records fine and whenever they want to send more information the file gets replaced with the new records. I would like to open up the existing file though and append new records if the file has not been transfered to the FTP site. Looking at the site I came across some code to do this in a report and I have tested this and it works fine. For interest sake I want to know if this can be done with dataport.

My problem is when I try it with a dataport is it needs a filename for it run, and I can't seem to tell the dataport not to replace the file but to open up the existing one and then write in some code to append the information. I tried to trick it by inserting a file into the file name in order for it to start running some code which will open up the existing file but this didn't. Has anyone done this before or is the report the way to go.

Only problem is you have to build up the csv script yourself which isn't an issue but it would be better through dataport if it is possible.

Cheers everyone

John

Alex_Chow

Not through standard dataport. It's always set to replace... You have to write code in order to have it append to a file if it already exists.

ataris

Ok so what code would you write for the dataport to ignore the replacing of the file, I have tried various ways and cannot do it.

Alex_Chow

Take a look at the File datatype using in the NAV help. Basically you need the following functions:

EXISTS
OPEN
LEN
SEEK
TEXTMODE
and
WRITE

ataris

Maybe I am just missing something but the problem for me is the dataport asks in the beginning where your file is, so if you put in the filename parameter to run the dataport in the first instance it wants to either overwrite or delete the file depending on what you code. I can't see a way to say "File exists, so open up the file".
I understand you got those methods which checks if one exists or needs to be created but the problme exists right in the beginning when you need to supply the file path.

Savatage

Your first post says for sake of interest, but if appending to an existing file is your ultimate goal then a report using the functions listed is the way to go anyway. So If I was you I wouldn't waste too much time on the subject. Why do something the second best way in the first place?

Then again I don't think it's even the second best way..you have XML and code units.

ataris

Point taken, I did use a report to do this, but I suppose I was wondering at the time if I was missing something ...

Anywho all ok