# How to Determine Structure of a Data File

**URL:** https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-to-determine-structure-of-a-data-file/35189
**Category:** Libraries
**Created:** [February 15, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-to-determine-structure-of-a-data-file/35189 "2022-02-15T19:17:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![kdeemer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8baadc/32.png) [@kdeemer](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kdeemer)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-to-determine-structure-of-a-data-file/35189/1 "2022-02-15T19:17:37Z")

</div>

I am trying to use a DAT file from an old sleep monitor (ZEO). I have downloaded a library and sketch examples that were written for this file type several years ago. I am able to get some of the examples to work with my file, but would like to modify and extend them. My question is, how can I determine the variables and functions that are available in the DAT file?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Chrisir](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/chrisir/32/45_2.png) [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-to-determine-structure-of-a-data-file/35189/2 "2022-02-15T21:57:25Z")

</div>

Hard to say

Is it a binary file

Did you try to open it with text editor