Simple CSV parsing patterns
Parse CSV lines: naive Split for simple files, safe TryParse for numbers, then a small quote-aware splitter for commas inside quotes.
CSV parsing overview
Aim: Parse small CSV reliably.
- Start with simple Split for no-quotes files
- Use TryParse for numbers
- Handle quoted fields with a tiny scanner
Naive split (no quotes)
For no-quote CSV, a simple Split works and is easy to read.
using System;
public class Program
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Simple: no quotes, commas separate fields
string line = "Apple,10,2.5";
string[] parts = line.Split(','); // naive split
Console.WriteLine("Name = " + parts[0]);
Console.WriteLine("Qty = " + parts[1]);
Console.WriteLine("Price= " + parts[2]);
}
}
All lessons in this course
- System.IO (paths, streams)
- JSON with System.Text.Json (opt-ins, converters)
- Simple CSV parsing patterns