SA-21523

Summary

A Service File rule using a Parse Delimiter rule to read a .txt file line by line fails if the text contains a backslash or the defined escape character.

Error Messages

com.pega.pegarules.pub.PRException: Error while parsing: Invalid escape sequence. Escape character must be followed by either field delimiter, or record delimiter, or another escape character.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Set up a Service File rule using a Parse Delimiter rule to read a .txt file line by line.
2. Use a file listener to implement the Service file rule. Check the box on the Process tab for generating the report file. Use delimiter \n and record terminator \n.
3. Put a text file with a line that has a backslash.
4. Start the file listener.

Root Cause

The Parse Delimiter code expects the defined escape character to escape a special character such as a field delimiter, record delimiter, or another escape character. This is what the escape sequence should do. The escape sequence followed by a non special character is an error.

Resolution

Perform the following local-change:
Select an escape character (single character sequence) that is unlikely to be in the data sets to be processed. As an example a cent sign might be appropriate.