{"id":274,"date":"2011-06-07T20:40:25","date_gmt":"2011-06-07T20:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craftydba.com\/?p=274"},"modified":"2024-02-17T14:26:25","modified_gmt":"2024-02-17T14:26:25","slug":"excel-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftydba.com\/?p=274","title":{"rendered":"Excel Files"},"content":{"rendered":"

Business Users like to have data in a spreadsheet format. Since Microsoft Office is installed world-wide, it will be a common request for data in a XLS <\/a>format.<\/p>\n

Let’s make believe that we have the business problem to write information about the first five presidents to an XLS format.<\/p>\n

The Clich\u00e9<\/a>, there are many ways to skin a cat, does apply to technical solutions. I have abstracted the details behind reading and writing files by encapsulating the logic into two classes for your use.\u00a0 These classes can be implemented in at least two ways.<\/p>\n

The first <\/strong><\/span>solution is to create a class using object oriented principles. The attributes of the class are very specific to the problem at hand, describing US presidents. Therefore, last name and first name are attributes.<\/p>\n

The second <\/strong><\/span>solution is to create a class using generic \/ abstract principles. The attributes of the class are not specific to the problem at hand. Therefore, spreadsheet name and definition are attributes.<\/p>\n

While I like the first solution since it describes the problem at hand in detail, I implemented the second class since it can be applied to a wider set of business problems.<\/p>\n

The write xls file class has the following properties and methods.<\/p>\n