On Dec 5, 3:19 pm, Kadin2048 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This is a very noob-ish question so I apologize in advance, but I'm > hoping to get some input and advice before I get too over my head. > > I'm trying to convert some log files from a formfeed- and > linefeed-delimited form into XML. I'd been thinking of using Python to > do this, but I'll be honest and say that I'm very inexperienced with > Python, so before I dive in I wanted to see whether some more > experienced minds thought I was choosing the right tool. > > Basically, what I want to do is convert from instant messaging logs > produced by CenterIM, which look like this (Where "^L" represents ASCII > 12, the formfeed character): > > ^L > IN > MSG > 1190126325 > 1190126325 > hi > ^L > OUT > MSG > 1190126383 > 1190126383 > hello > > To an XML-based format* like this: > > <chat account="joeblow" service="AIM" version="0.4"> > <message sender="janedoe" time="1190126325">hi</message> > <message sender="joeblow" time="1190126383">hello</message> > </chat> > > Obviously there's information in the bottom example not present in the > top (account names, protocol), but I'll grab those from the file name or > prompt the user. > > Given that I'd be learning as I go along, is Python a good tool for > doing this? (Am I totally insane to be trying this as a beginner?) And > if so, where should I start? I'd like to avoid massive > wheel-reinvention if at all possible. > > I'm not afraid to RTFM but there's a lot of information around on Python > and I'm not sure what's most relevant. Suggestions on what to read, > books to buy, etc., are all welcomed. > > Thanks in advance, > Kadin. > > * For the curious, this is sort of poor attempt at the "Universal Log > Format" as used by Adium on OS X. > > --http://kadin.sdf-us.org/
I've used lxml and DOM/minidom. Both took my a while to figure out and I still don't always understand them. Anyway, lxml is similar to the method Chris mentioned. http://docs.python.org/lib/module-xml.dom.html http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/pythonxml/chapter/ch01.html http://pyxml.sourceforge.net/topics/ Mike -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
