Parsing sequential ASCII file for editing - Visual C#
<p>I have been recently assigned a task in which I need to create a program to edit files in Visual C#. The file is a sequential ASCII text file with multiple fixed character width rows, and the basic structure looks like this: </p>

<p>Each group is a single parameter, and there can be hundreds of these within a file. Each PA has a set number of columns, but each PA varies in column numbers. Additionally, there are some optional fields within each record, so that accounts for the extra spaces between some of the fields. Each field also has a separator of 1 space. I am unsure if I am being too thorough, but I figure the more information I give, the easier it will be for someone to help me.</p>

<p>Essentially, I want to create a GUI in which the user can select one a parameter mnemonic and then be able to edit any of the fields within the entire group of parameters</p>

<p>I have a little C# experience, but I am having trouble figuring out what would be the best way to accomplish this. My initial thinking was to parse the file into an array, search for each parameter name (maybe using regular expressions?), display all the parameter names in a browser. From there the user would be able to select which parameter they wish to edit. The program would then search the array again for the selected parameter, and then parse the records into text boxes, to allow for editing. </p>

<p>I am unsure if this is the most efficient way of accomplishing this, and I am somewhat stuck on how to actually parse the file to read the fields into the text boxes. I have searched many different forums for file parsing, but most of the topics I find related to comma delimited files which does not really apply to the file type I am working with. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and if you need me to elaborate on anything, please feel free to ask me. Thank for the help.</p>
