From: Marnen Laibow-Koser <marnen@...>
Date: 2010-02-12T03:27:39+09:00
Subject: Re: n00b: text processing from magnetic stip input

John Gesimondo wrote:
> Hello everyone!
> 
> I'm trying to make a program and I'm really bad at text processing. 

Then you will have to get better. :)

> The
> input is a magnetic stripe of a card (coming straight off a card
> reader). I'm trying to split the output so that each part can get stored
> in a variable.
> 
> Here's what comes off the card:
> %B6007503004905860^GEVIMSEDO/JRPN
> P^894212333300?;604750230190488515=993612044400050600?+E?
> 
> And here's what I want (with relevant details):
> 
> iso = 6007503004905860 [always the same length]
> 
> last_name = Gevimsedo [variable length, always following carrot symbol]
> 
> first_name = Jrpn [variable length, always after slash]
> 
> middle_name = P [ either one letter, or non-existent after frist name
> separated by a space]
> 
> 
> If anyone could make that happen, you'd make my day/week/etc.

Do you mean that you expect us to write your core processing code for 
you?  If so, that's not cool.  We can help, but you'll have to do the 
work yourself.

> I've been
> trying for a while, but I'm clearly too much of a n00b.
> 
> :)

Step 1: Write specs with RSpec (or similar library) defining the desired 
behavior.
Step 2: Read the documentation for classes String and Regexp.
Step 3: Make the tests pass.

If you have problems, share what you've done and we'll be happy to help. 
Good luck!

Best,
-- 
Marnen Laibow-Koser
http://www.marnen.org
marnen@marnen.org
-- 
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