formatscan

Formatscan is a command-line utility designed for the analysis and validation of data file formats. It operates by examining the structure and content of a given file to determine its adherence to expected patterns and specifications. This tool is particularly useful for data engineers, scientists, and developers who work with large datasets or complex file types and need to ensure data integrity and compatibility.

The primary function of Formatscan is to identify deviations from a predefined format schema. This can include checking for incorrect data types, missing fields, inconsistent delimiters, or malformed records. By providing a detailed report of any discrepancies, Formatscan helps users pinpoint and rectify issues within their data files before they cause downstream processing errors.

Formatscan supports a wide range of common data formats, such as CSV, JSON, XML, and others. Its flexibility allows users to define custom format rules or load predefined schema definitions. The output of Formatscan typically includes summary statistics about the file, a list of detected errors with their locations, and potentially suggestions for remediation. This makes it a valuable component in data quality assurance workflows and data pipeline automation.