dif encoding

README.md

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 Various spreadsheet file format notes.
 
+- [Data Interchange Format (DIF)](/dif/README.md)
 - [Symbolic Link (SLK/SYLK)](/sylk/README.md)
 - [XLSB Short Records](/xlsb_short_records/README.md)
 

dif/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Data Interchange Format
+
+Files starting with `TABLE` followed by a newline marker followed by `0,1`
+should be interpreted as DIF.
+
+There exists a technical specification from 1983.
+
+### Encoding
+
+The specification includes a Pascal procedure for reading a string.  There is an
+error in handling double quotes:
+
+```pascal
+      if str[1] = '"'                            { strip quotes }
+         then begin
+                delete (str, 1, 1);
+                delete (str, pos('"', str), length(str) - pos('"', str) + 1)
+              end
+```
+
+It does not correctly handle `"` characters in strings.  Writers should use `""`
+(similar to CSV encoding).  The following DIF snippet represents `"`:
+
+```dif
+1,0
+""""
+```
+
+
+
+[![Analytics](https://ga-beacon.appspot.com/UA-36810333-1/SheetJS/notes?pixel)](https://github.com/SheetJS/notes)

sylk/README.md

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ For example, `\x1BNj` encodes byte `0x8C`
 - Bytes `0xA8`, `0xB0` and `0xB4` have space characters (` `) after the letter.
   Byte `0xA8` is encoded as `\x1BNH\x20`
 
+
 ## Record Types
 
 | Record Type | Description          |