Digi-Star Stockweigh Datamaster Indicator - Manual (Page 28)

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Using the Information
The idea behind the ASCII text format is simple. Why buy extra software to get and manipulate the information
from the Stockweigh Datamaster when you can use software you already have and are comfortable using?
There are many spreadsheet and database applications on the market mostly for use in Windows.
Popular ones include the Microsoft Office Suite (with Excel and Access) and the Lotus Smart Suite (with 123
and Approach). These have in-built functions to enable the user to import ASCII text. For more information on
importing ASCII text, consult your software manual.
Tips and Tricks
When using the weight gain program with the Stockweigh Datamaster, the actual weight gain will be stored on
the data set. It is stored in the ## field. For example, a record of a non - weight gain file might look something
like this:
450.0 A1234 02 HEREFORD
Weight = 450 kg, ID = A1234, Hash = 02, Coding = HEREFOR (Hereford)
Now, a weight gain record might look something like this:
500.0 A1234 0.5HEREFOR
Weight = 500kg, ID = A1234 Hash = 0.5, Coding = HEREFOR (Hereford)
Notice that the Hash has been replaced by a weight gain figure, (0.5kg per day). The weight gain figure is three
digits long, it takes up the two Hash columns + the space between the hash and the coding. If you put the
information into an Excel spreadsheet it will split up the weight, ID and hash fields using its TEXT IMPORT
WIZARD because there are spaces between these fields. Excel also has an excellent feature called the TEXT
IMPORT WIZARD which will allow you to put a column break between the last figure in the weight gain and the
first figure in the coding. Advanced applications such as Excel are ideal for manipulating data. You can also
use Quattro Pro, and import information.
Microsoft Office or Corel Office
This combines a spreadsheet, database and word processor in one package. For example, it will import an
ASCII text file.
The Stockweigh Datamaster will import >comma separated values= files. These are, as the name suggests, text
files where the fields are separated by commas. AOffice@ reads the file and when it gets to a comma it puts a
break in the file and discards the comma.