[bug-gawk] Tentative CSV extension - please advise

[Manuel Collado]

I'm considering to develop a CSV read/write extension. Currently in a 
very preliminary stage. Just reading specs, api docs, collecting csv 
libraries for a variety of languages, etc.

In order to organize things in an adequate way, please confirm, correct 
or comment the following points:

1.- The extension should provide CSV field values as $1-$NF

2.- The current extension api only allows to provide a string value for 
$0, but not individual field values. $0 is split into fields by the gawk 
core according to the current FS.

3.- A possible solution would be to forge a $0 record by joining the csv 
fields with a customizable ad-hoc field separator, and temporarily set 
FS to that separator value.

4.- The extension should be able to process CSV files that deviate from 
the standard. A set of option flags could be set by the user in order to 
customize the parsing.

5.- CSV file samples would be welcomed. Specially non standard or even 
malformed ones.

6.- Help about how to initially setup a gawkextlib extension development 
directory will be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
--
Manuel Collado - http://lml.ls.fi.upm.es/~mcollado