Peter Versteegen wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I want to convert data supplied by a file into their corresponding 
> internal values.
> 
> I have an external file with data that are in the form "variable name", 
> tab,  followed by their value.  The 'value 'can be a single number, an 
> array of numbers, or a matrix of numbers,   For example, the file might 
> look like this:
> a    2.4
> b    1,0, 3.0, 5.0
> c    5, 6, 11
> d    [1, 2], [5, 6], [45,55]
> 
> 
> I can get a, b, and c to convert to single values and arrays, thanks to 
> this forum, but I cannot figure out a way to convert d into an array of 
> arrays.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Just insert an = :

a =    2.4
b =    1,0, 3.0, 5.0
c =    5, 6, 11
d =    [1, 2], [5, 6], [45,55]

p a, b, c, d

__END__

Output:

2.4
[1, 0, 3.0, 5.0]
[5, 6, 11]
[[1, 2], [5, 6], [45, 55]]

> Ideally I would like to match the variable name in the file to the 
> corresponding and same name in the program.  Any ideas how to do that?

input = <<END
a =    2.4
b =    1,0, 3.0, 5.0
c =    5, 6, 11
d =    [1, 2], [5, 6], [45,55]
END

a = b = c = d = nil
eval input ## NOT SECURE!
p a, b, c, d

__END__

Output:

2.4
[1, 0, 3.0, 5.0]
[5, 6, 11]
[[1, 2], [5, 6], [45, 55]]

-- 
       vjoel : Joel VanderWerf : path berkeley edu : 510 665 3407