PHP library for creating/manipulating fixed-width text files

Question

We have a web application that does time-tracking, payroll, and HR. As a result, we have to write a lot of fixed-width data files for export into other systems (state tax filing

Answer 1

If this is text file with separated fields, - your will need write it yourself. Probably it is not a large problem. Good organization, will save a lot of time.

1. Your need universal way of defining structures. I.e. xml.
2. Your need something to generate ... specially I prefer an Smarty templating for this.

So this one:

   

      123

      123

      123

    

Can be easy interpreted into test with this template:

{section name=x1 loop=level1_arr}

{--output root's--}

  {section name=x2 loop=level1_arr[x1].level2_arr}

     {--output entry's--}

  {/section}

{/section}

This is just idea.

But imagine:

1. You need xml
2. You need template

i.e. 2 definitions to abstract any text structure