Manual Parsing
Manual parsing is the process of analyzing and extracting structured data from unstructured or semi-structured text or data formats without using specialized parsing libraries or tools. It involves writing custom code, often using string manipulation functions and regular expressions, to interpret data based on known patterns or delimiters. This approach is commonly used for simple data formats, legacy systems, or when dealing with non-standard or poorly documented data sources.
Developers should learn manual parsing when working with custom or proprietary data formats that lack existing parsers, such as log files, configuration files, or ad-hoc text reports. It is also useful for quick prototyping, handling edge cases in data processing, or when integrating with systems that output data in non-standard ways, though it requires careful validation to avoid errors and maintainability issues.