Reading unstructured files
The simplest files for reading are those where all rows follow the same pattern: Each row has a fixed number of columns, and all columns have the same kind of data in every row. However, it is common to have files where the information does not have that format. In many occasions, the files have little or no structure. Suppose you have a file with roller coaster descriptions, and the file looks like the following:
JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS SeaWorld Orlando Journey to Atlantis is a unique thrill ride since it is ... Roller Coaster Stats Drop: 60 feet Trains: 8 passenger boats Train Mfg: Mack KRAKEN SeaWorld Orlando Named after a legendary sea monster, Kraken is a ... Kraken begins with a plunge from a height of 15-stories ... Roller Coaster Stats Height: 151 feet Drop: 144 feet Top Speed: 65 mph Length: 4,177 feet Inversions: 7 Trains: 3 - 32 passenger Ride Time: 2 minutes, 2 seconds KUMBA Busch Gardens Tampa ...
As you can see, the preceding file is far from being...