Automated Semi-Structured Data Parsing via Aligned Delimiters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual cleanup of semi-structured data is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to user errors, delaying insights and being inefficient for extensive datasets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically generate structured data from semi-structured data by reading records, identifying aligned delimiters, constructing regular expressions, and reconstructing records to split them into fields, with the ability to handle missing delimiters and values, and display the data in a tabulated form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleanup process is used to clean semi-structured data, then data can be processed, but it takes time and is labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting delimiters and parsing semi-structured data without requiring manual user intervention. The automated parser analyzes the data structure, identifies delimiters, and converts the data into structured format autonomously, eliminating the need for manual cleanup operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual parsing process with an automated computer-based system. The automated parser uses algorithms to detect delimiters and parse data, substituting human manual operations with computational processes that are faster and more consistent.
2Reliability
If manual parsing is performed, then data can be cleaned, but it is prone to user errors
Solution Approach 1:
The automated parser performs self-service by autonomously detecting delimiters and parsing data without human intervention. This eliminates user errors associated with manual parsing while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to validate parsed data and ensure accuracy. The automated parser can detect inconsistencies and verify delimiter placement, providing feedback that ensures reliable parsing results without manual verification.
3Productivity
If manual cleanup process is used, then data can be processed, but it consumes lots of manual time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data cleaning operations with an automated computational system. The automated parser processes data much faster than manual methods, significantly reducing the time required for data cleanup while maintaining processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated parser operates continuously without interruption, processing data records one after another in a seamless manner. This continuous automated processing eliminates the intermittent nature of manual work and maximizes productivity throughout the data cleaning process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating structured data from semi-structured data are provided. The method includes reading a plurality of records from a data file including semi-structured data. Further, the method includes obtaining aligned delimiters in a list for every record that has been read. The method also includes selecting a most occurring delimiter from the list. The method then includes constructing a regular expression using the selected delimiter to split the records into different fields. The method also includes reconstructing the records for the regular expression to fit and split into fields. In addition, the method includes displaying the records split into the fields.