Reading multi entity data from a single data file

A common problem for data files is the concept of multiple data sets inclosed in the same file. An example is a data file of accounts receivable orders. You'll export at least two logical entities: Orders and OrderLines. Each of the two entities have very different data sets; the relate (OrderLines belong to a particular Order) and there are a dynamic number of OrderLines per Order.

A common way to differentiate is to put a special "record type" selector as the first field in each record. Ie. A and B. The load program will based on this selector apply different templates to map the columns, and it will also know that the OrderLines are associated with the Order above it and create that relation column ID in the out put.

Example:
;selector=A,orderdate,ordernumber,customernumber,ordertotal,ordertax
;selector=B,lineno,itemno,description,quantity,priceach,pricetotal
A,10-dec-2011,12345,3322,3000,222
B,1,123,Sprockets Black,30,50,1500
B,2,333,Sprockets Blue,300,5,1500
A,11-dec-2011,12346,3311,.....

etc.