ffe
flat file extractor
TLDR
Extract fields from a flat file using a configuration
$ ffe -c [config.ffe] [data.txt]
Output as a named print format$ ffe -c [config.ffe] -p [csv] [data.txt]
Filter records matching an expression$ ffe -c [config.ffe] -e [field=value] [data.txt]
Show structure information from the configuration and exit$ ffe -c [config.ffe] -I
SYNOPSIS
ffe [options] [files]
DESCRIPTION
ffe (Flat File Extractor) parses fixed-width and delimited flat files according to a structure definition provided in a configuration file. It extracts fields and can convert data to formats such as CSV or XML.Configuration files define record layouts with field names, widths, and types. The tool handles multiple record types in a single file, common in mainframe and batch-processing data formats.
PARAMETERS
-c, --configuration file
Configuration file defining record structures and print formats.-p, --print format
Select a named print format defined in the configuration file.-o, --output file
Write output to the specified file instead of stdout.-f, --field-list fields
Print only the listed fields (comma-separated).-e, --expression expr
Print only records where the expression matches.-a, --and
Combine multiple expressions with logical AND (default is OR).-X, --casecmp
Use case-insensitive expression evaluation.-v, --invert-match
Print only records that do not match the expression.-r, --replace field=value
Replace field contents with the given value in output.-l, --loose
Do not abort on invalid input lines.-d, --debug
Write invalid input lines to `ffeerror<pid>.log`.-I, --info
Show structure information from the configuration file and exit.
INSTALL
sudo apt install ffe
brew install ffe
CAVEATS
Requires a configuration file. Complex record structures need careful definition. The `-p` flag selects a named print format from the config, not a generic format name.
