Examples
We present a constantly growing collection of examples here, illustrating how to use FlowHeater with practical tips. These range from the simplest "hello world" to some quite powerful Definitions for importing / exporting CSV text files, the dynamic conversion of data between databases and the generation of test data in a variety of forms.
Note: If you cannot locate a specific example for the actual task you are contemplating, refer to some of the other examples. The general methods applied in FlowHeater are always consistent and so by extension one of these examples will be found to approximate your requirements.
It is a tradition to begin by writing a “hello world” program when first learning a new programming language. Have no fear, we are not expecting you to learn programming; we merely wish to demonstrate to you that FlowHeater is just as flexible and capable as custom programming is.
All the examples are explained step by step, so you can easily repeat them yourself and for your convenience they are all included in the FlowHeater download. You will find the examples in the folder "..\Examples\EN". Click here for the download page.
Our recommended approach
You are advised to repeat the "hello world" examples to begin with, step by step. All in all this should not take you longer than 30 minutes and it is really worth your while. The fundamental methods of operation are all explained there. It will not matter whether you later want to export data from an SQL Server database into a CSV file or import data from Excel into an Oracle database; the methods used are always the same. Once you have mastered the general techniques you will soon discover new ways of using the software for your own uses.
Hello World examples
Introductory practical examples of FlowHeater in general use
- Hello World 1, generating test data in CSV format
- Hello World 2, generate CSV test data
- Hello World 3, generating test data with fixed column widths (flat file)
General examples
These illustrate FlowHeater's basic functions
- Format numbers as character strings
- Simple If-Then-Else example
- Complex If-Then-ElseIf example
- Example of filtering and grouping data
- An example of how to filter and group data, as well as how to consolidate grouped values
TextFile Adapter examples
- Convert an MS DOS ASCII CSV to a Windows ANSI flat file
- Convert a Windows ANSI flat file to an MS DOS ASCII CSV file
- Processing of CSV header and footer rows
- Import/Export vCard (line based) text files
MS Excel Adapter examples
- Importing and exporting an Excel CSV (Beginner)
- MS Excel CSV export example with grouping (Advanced)
MS Access Adapter examples
- CSV text file import into a Microsoft Access database
- Generate MS Access test data
- Automated batch CSV import into MS Access
MS SQL Server Adapter examples
- CSV text file import into SQL Server
- Exporting a flat file (report) from MS SQL Server
- SQL Server Import IDENTITY (Auto Increment) fields
- CSV export divided into several files
XML Adapter examples
MySQL Adapter examples
- CSV text file import into MySQL database
- Migrating data to MySQL
- Exporting only new MySQL records to a CSV text file
JSON Adapter examples
