Display CSV Files in an HTA

Processing the CSV file's fields. After the HTA verifies that the file exists, it executes the getFields function. As Listing 2 shows, the getFields function populates the fields array (a global variable) with the field names from the CSV file. The function uses the FileSystemObject's Open-TextFile method to open the CSV file and read its first line, then closes the CSV file. Next, it empties the fields array by setting its length property to zero. The function uses the split method to return an array of substrings, using the comma (,) character as a delimiter. Be aware that the get-Fields function uses the split method to parse the first line of the CSV file, so the function will fail if a field name contains a comma (even if it's enclosed in quotes).

The getFields function then uses the for statement to iterate the array of substrings that the split method creates. If the useHeader function returns true (which will be the case if you've selected the check box), the function uses the replace method to remove any double-quote (") characters from the field name. Next, the function determines whether the field name contains the colon (:) character, indicating a field type. (I'll discuss field types in a moment.) If the field name contains a colon, the getFields function removes the colon and the remainder of the string so that only the field name is added to the fields array. For example, if the field is named Size:Int, the fields array will contain only Size (the :Int is not part of the field's name). . . .