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

Perhaps the dbase functions are what you want to use. They are not OOP, but it probably would not be too difficult to build a class that would act on the functions provided in the dbase set.

Take a look at the link below for details on dbase functionality available in PHP. If you're just looking to create a file for import into another system, these functions should work for you. Just make sure you pay attention to the warnings. Some of the key warnings are:

• There is no support for indexes or memo fields.
• There is no support for locking.
• Two concurrent web server processes modifying the same dBase file will very likely ruin your database.

http://php.net/manual/en/book.dbase.php