8.7

Change Emulation action tasks are typically used when a secondary input task brings new
data that is not structured like the initial data into the process. By default, every task included in
a process uses the emulation associated with the sample data file to structure the data before it
processes it. Any task that must use a different emulation must be preceded by a Change
Emulation action task. All the tasks that follow on the same branch will use the emulation
chosen in the Change Emulation task.
Input
Any data file.
Processing
The emulation for the following tasks is changed to the selected emulation.
Output
The original data file, metadata and job infos are not modified. Only the emulation is changed.
Properties
l The options of this task are basically the same as the Data Selector in PlanetPress
Design; see PlanetPress Design User Guide.
General Tab
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 either a CSV or user defined emulation.
Further note that if you remove characters in a CSV emulation, you should ensure that you do
not inadvertently remove field or text delimiters.
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