Description
Distinguish an unquoted empty source field from a quoted empty source field.
Text parsers operate on an explicit source grammar and boundary policy. Recognizing delimiters or removing one prefix is distinct from validating the surrounding document or protocol. Preserve whether an output represents raw source spelling or decoded text, especially where quoted empty values, ASCII escapes, case and whitespace affect interpretation.
Distinguish an unquoted empty source field from a quoted empty source field.
When to use this tool
Use CSV Empty Quoted Field Distinction when you already have fieldSource and need to distinguish an unquoted empty source field from a quoted empty source field.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter fieldSource. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read lexicallyEmpty, quotedEmpty, decodedText. Inspect lexicallyEmpty, quotedEmpty before interpreting the associated values.
Accept only the empty string or exactly two double quotes. Return lexical-empty and quoted-empty flags separately, with decodedText empty in both cases.1
CSV permits quoted and unquoted fields. These two empty source spellings decode to the same empty text while retaining a distinct lexical form.2
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| fieldSource | Raw empty string or exactly two double quotes; not an already decoded field. | Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| lexicallyEmpty | Lexically Empty | Required. Boolean. |
| quotedEmpty | Quoted Empty | Required. Boolean. |
| decodedText | Decoded Text | Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192. |
{
"input": {
"fieldSource": "\"\""
},
"output": {
"lexicallyEmpty": false,
"quotedEmpty": true,
"decodedText": ""
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The tool receives one raw source token, not a row; delimiters, escapes, dialects and other quoted fields are outside the contract.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use a parser for the complete intended grammar and dialect when document validity matters. Keep source spelling, decoded values, quote/escape context and whitespace rules explicit; these helpers intentionally operate on one delimiter, prefix, field or protocol component.
References
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