Format of Text Data Files
Data provided in text data files can be provided in scalar, list or
tabular format. While the scalar and list formats can also be used in
ordinary expressions, the tabular formats are only allowed for data
initialization. This chapter discusses the general format of text data
files with special emphasis on the two possible tabular formats. Data
provided in text files can only be read through the use of the READ
statement which is discussed in Syntax of the READ and WRITE Statements.