2018.2

A process's emulation can be changed either by choosing another sample data file (see
"Choosing a sample data file" on page65) or by inserting a "Change Emulation" on page304
task in the process.
Changing the emulation is particularly important if you want to make a data selection in a file
after it has been changed to another format (see "Data selections" on page48).
Note
Even during debugging, selecting a sample data file with a different format will cause the
emulation of a process to change. In order to avoid errors, change the emulation back to
the format of the original input file before using the process again.
Stabilizing data
All emulations, except the database, PDF and XML emulations, let you perform operations on
the data to stabilize it. The following options are available in both the "Change Emulation" on
page304 task and "The Data Selector" on page658.
Add/remove characters: Enter the number of characters to add to, or remove from, the head of
the data stream, or use the spin buttons to increment or decrement the value. Positive values
add characters; negative values remove characters. This is useful when one or more characters
of input data precede the start of the first data page. Note that certain control characters can be
problematic. For example, the NUL character (hexadecimal 00) cannot be removed from the
head of the data stream, and a backspace (hexadecimal 08) can cause unpredictable behavior.
The Hex Viewer can be useful in helping determine the control characters that appear at the
head of the data stream. (To open the Hex Viewer, select Debug > View as Hex, in the menu.)
Note that you cannot add characters in a CSV. Further note that if you remove characters in a
CSV emulation, you should ensure that you do not inadvertently remove field or text delimiters.
Add/remove lines: Enter the number of lines to add to, or remove from, the head of the data
stream, or use the spin buttons to increment or decrement the value. Positive values add lines;
negative values remove lines. This is useful when one or more lines of input data precede the
start of the first data page. Note that you cannot add lines in either a CSV or user defined
emulation.
Lines per page: Enter the number of lines each data page contains, or use the spin buttons to
increment or decrement the value.
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