Beginner looking for help... =)

[TrouserMuppet]

I'm trying to create a program that reads in 3 digit prefixes from a text file and compares those digits to a series of other prefixes belonging to a certain groups.
When it finds which group the given prefix belongs to, it stores and later displays how many prefixes belonged to each group.

Example of the groups:
Portland - Nextel Communications: 206,519,572,793,849,969
Sunnyside - GTE: 638,673

Now if I wanted to just code in the groups and their corresponding prefixes, I wouldn't be having any problems. However, since there are many groups, and the list will continue to grow, I want to add-in a feature allowing me to add groups in as they are needed. (i.e. I want to have a file which I can edit that stores the name of each group and their prefixes, that my program will read at run time.) This is where my problem comes in. I don't know how I can "link" the group names, and their prefixes together. I tried using multidimensional arrays, but that became even more of a headache(quite possibly due to my inexperience with them).

I hope I was clear enough about my situation, if not please let me know. Any help with this problem would be GREATLY appreciated as I've spent many hours trying to figure out a way to do it.

-Peter

[CGTS]

Would you consider storing the list of groups in a database such as 'Access' or would you prefer a text file?

[TrouserMuppet]

I would prefer a text file only because I've never used Access(I do have it however). In your opinion, would Access be the best choice for me?

[PaulLewis]

Does the number to the right of the colon indicate the current count of groups starting with that prefix?

OR is that a series of prefixes to the right of the Group name?

Is your app going to have to run anywhere else or is it for you only? Do the other users (if there are any) have access?

If it is an option, you should definitely consider Access as CGTS suggests. Text files would also work, however before you decide, you will need to estimate how many possible groups and prefixes there might be and the maximum length of all the fields you may use.

Additionally, regarding the data you plan to look at: Will it be arriving in real time or will you get a snapshot of it to analyse at your leisure?

The decisions you have to make in terms of data structures and programming tools require these sort of questions and answers. Usually, actual coding is the last (and easiest) part of the whole thing


Regards
Paul Lewis

[TrouserMuppet]

The group format is as follows....

(group name)all prefixes associated with group)

As to your other questions:
The program will probably only run on one machine, but my other co-workers may very well wish to use it. However, it's mainly to save me time.

The data that I'm looking at will be sent to me as text file containing all the prefixes in the format "prefix,prefix, ect." with 1500+ prefixes. I wanted a program that would read and sort those prefixes according to their group.

I'll see what I can do with Access...