Formatting an unformatted file

[Jeff Crosby <jlcrosby@xxxxxxx>]

To all,

I am going to be doing an application whereby I must read a file from a
PC that looks like this:

ROUTE "0541"

INVOICE "1234567890"
DELIVER_DATE "19981116"
DELIVER_TIME "121500"
# comment lines start with #
TERMS 01
ADJ_QUANT 1 5 2
ADJ_PRICE 1 5.1295 12.25
ADJ_ALLOW 1 295 "FSPI" $ 2.5051 02

INVOICE "987650"
DELIVER_DATE "19981116"
DELIVER_TIME "131500"
TERMS 01
ADJ_QUANT 1 4 3
ADJ_PRICE 1 4.12 6.25
ADJ_ALLOW 1 295 "FSPI" $ 2.51 02
ADJ_QUANT 1 1 2
ADJ_PRICE 1 4.00 4.10

ROUTE "0545"
INVOICE "1267890"
DELIVER_DATE "19981116"
DELIVER_TIME "121500"
# this is a comment line
TERMS 01
ADJ_QUANT 1 5 2
ADJ_PRICE 1 5.1295 12.25
ADJ_ALLOW 1 295 "FSPI" $ 2.5051 02

INVOICE "987650"
DELIVER_DATE "19981116"
DELIVER_TIME "131500"
TERMS 01
ADJ_QUANT 1 4 3
ADJ_PRICE 1 4.12 6.25
ADJ_ALLOW 1 295 "FSPI" $ 2.51 02
ADJ_QUANT 1 1 2
ADJ_PRICE 1 4.00 4.10

etc, etc, etc.

and put it into formatted OS/400 files.  Consecutive input records can
all relate to what will become a single OS/400 database record.

Blank records and comments are to be ignored.

I have done this on a smaller scale in the past via the Brute Force And
Ignorance Method(1), but I can't believe there isn't an easier way to do
it.  This is not the forte of RPG, though the RPGIV syntax makes it a
lot easier.  Has anyone got or seen a good way that you can point me in
the direction of?  Thanks.

-Jeff

(1) "Brute Force And Ignorance Method" is a registered trademark of Dave
Shaw.  Used here totally without his permission or knowledge.  I'll
probably hear about it too. <g>
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