Is it possible to use [textfile] to output each character of the text rather than each line? I have a long sequence of numbers (such as 91247...) and would like the patch to spit out 9, 1, 2, 4, 7... so that I can then use something like [sel] to trigger the corresponding bangs. What would be the best approach?

Many thanks in advance!

How about something like this:

[textfile]
| [symbol( <--bang me first
| |
[symbol2list]
|
[list-drip]
|
[sel 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9]

Hi Malestrom!

Many thanks for your response. It does sound like a very neat way of doing exactly what I want to achieve, however I'm afraid it's not working over here - I must be doing something silly. I've attached the patch - would be most grateful for any further directions. Does it happen too fast so that I can't see it? Is it possible to define how fast you want the list to drip?

Thanks!

http://www.pdpatchrepo.info/hurleur/dripping_numbers.pd

Here's textfile.txt with numbers

http://www.pdpatchrepo.info/hurleur/textfile.txt

Well, there seem to be two problems. First, I overlooked the fact that the number coming out of textfile has to be converted to a symbol before going into [symbol2list]. [list2symbol] actually does that, so sticking it inbetween [textfile] and [symbol2list] works.

However, more importantly is the problem of your text file. The number in it is just too large for Pd to handle; it has to fall within the range of 32-bit floating point numbers. It's instead spitting out "1.#INF", which I'm guessing is supposed to mean infinity. But even if it does fall within the range, Pd has a nasty habit of converting numbers over five digits into scientific notation, which I don't know how to get around. So, if it's possible (or if someone out there has a better solution), I think you might just be better off fixing how you generate the number in the text file to begin with. If you could get each digit on its own line in the text file, Pd will have an easier time.

Or actually, you could just open the text file an add a letter to the beginning of that long number (or end or whatever). This way, Pd will just think of it as a symbol instead of a float, so it won't alter it. The [sel] will just ignore the letter, and everything else will run fine. You'll have to stick a [symbol] object before the [symbol2list] because Pd can't figure out that it's a symbol on its own.

You did it again maelstorm!

'kudos' awarded

Instead of [list-drip] you can use [drip] where you can change its speed by using the right inlet.