# Random rows/columns in a csv file and print text with typewriter effect
**URL:** https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889
**Category:** Coding Questions
**Created:** [July 22, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889 "2019-07-22T15:16:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/21 "2019-07-25T18:20:46Z")
Thanks…will get trying 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2019, 6:22pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/22 "2019-07-25T18:22:59Z")
You can try the type writer logic in a new sketch with just a String Hello You
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/23 "2019-07-25T18:23:34Z")
When you got this return to your current sketch
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 10:59am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/24 "2019-07-26T10:59:17Z")
Hey @Chrisir .
As you suggested i’ve been playing around with some typewriting sketches .
Based on GoToLoop/Philo post here //https://forum.processing.org/two/discussion/1823/typewrite-effect-typing-one-by-one-with-delay-on-the-strings I got one string printing to screenno problem.
I then tried to have 2 strings to print one after the other as I think this will be the way I should go with the overall sketch - for typewriter sketch two strings called one after the other, for the CSV sketch, string after string to be selected randomly:
I got it working (kind of) with using a second counter (counter2) and an else statement
```auto
String text1 = "This is the first line.";
String text2 = " And this is the second.";
PFont font;
int counter;
int counter2;
void setup() {
size(400, 400);
frameRate(5);
smooth();
font = createFont("Arial", 48);
textFont(font, 20);
}
void draw() {
background(150);
fill(255);
typewriteText();
}
void typewriteText(){
if (counter < text1.length()){
counter++;
text(text1.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height);
} else {
counter2 ++;
text(text2.substring(0, counter2), 0, 40, width, height);
}
}
```
However It iterates through but then returns
`out of range 25`
I also tried this with just one counter, which is reset to 0, and a second if statement, it’s driving me nuts as it just keeps printing string 1 to screen.
```auto
String text1 = "This is the first line.";
String text2 = " And this is the second.";
PFont font;
int counter;
int counter2;
void setup() {
size(400, 400);
frameRate(5);
smooth();
font = createFont("Arial", 48);
textFont(font, 20);
}
void draw() {
background(150);
fill(255);
typewriteText();
}
void typewriteText(){
if (counter < text1.length()){
counter++;
text(text1.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height);
}
if (counter >= text1.length()){ //if counter is more than or equal to text1 length
counter = 0; //sets counter to 0 which clears screen
text(text2.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height); //prints second string to screen
}
}
```
Any pointers would be great.
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 11:40am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/25 "2019-07-26T11:40:12Z")
That’s all good practice
Imagine processing as a good friend who is a little dumb.
You want him to do a task for you.
But you have to explain everything very precisely. You can’t assume he will do anything right by himself or intuitively.
In your first sketch you forgot to check if counter2 is exceeding the length of the string.
So you need one if inside the else-clause.
In the 2nd sketch you have to distinguish for a variable for string 1 and for string 2
ATM you are resetting the counter in the 2nd if-clause and thus the first if-clause kicks in again. Bad.
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 11:43am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/26 "2019-07-26T11:43:03Z")
> [@Chrisir](#):
>
> Imagine processing as a good friend who is a little dumb.
>
> You want him to do a task for you.
>
> But you have to explain everything very precisely. You can’t assume he will do anything right by himself or intuitively.
That’s how I feel about myself 🤣
Thanks for the explanation…back to it I go 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 11:47am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/27 "2019-07-26T11:47:26Z")
You are not dumb, computers are.
You have to explain everything step by step and don’t make assumptions.
You can set a boolean flag firstStringIsFinished to true and evaluate it.
In fact with your knowledge you can now return to the main string with the table rows
Chrisir
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 11:51am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/28 "2019-07-26T11:51:21Z")
> [@Chrisir](#):
>
> In fact with your knowledge you can now return to the main string with the table rows
Almost…I’m going to spend a little more time getting this right (in the sketch and my brain) and then return to the main string…thanks again!
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/29 "2019-07-26T13:55:06Z")
OK…introduced an if statement with else and reset counter2
```auto
String text1 = "This is the first line.";
String text2 = " And this is the second.";
PFont font;
int counter;
int counter2;
void setup() {
size(400, 400);
frameRate(5);
smooth();
font = createFont("Arial", 48);
textFont(font, 20);
}
void draw() {
background(150);
fill(255);
typewriteText();
}
void typewriteText(){
if (counter < text1.length()){
counter++;
text(text1.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height);
} else {
counter2++;
text(text2.substring(0, counter2), 0, 40, width, height);
if (counter2 >= text2.length()){
counter2 = 0;
}
}
```
which iterates fine 1st string followed by 2nd string so I then introduced a boolean to show that string one is finished but getting a little confused…This will iterate through fine once but then second string flashes every few seconds. …I am definitely overcomplicating this !
```auto
String text1 = "This is the first line.";
String text2 = " And this is the second.";
PFont font;
int counter;
int counter2;
boolean firstStringIsFinished=true;
void setup() {
size(400, 400);
frameRate(5);
smooth();
font = createFont("Arial", 48);
textFont(font, 20);
}
void draw() {
background(150);
fill(255);
typewriteText();
}
void typewriteText(){
if (counter < text1.length()){ //if counter is less than text1length Do this
counter++; //increase counter by
text(text1.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height); //write text to screen
firstStringIsFinished=false; //set boolean to false
} else { //if it's not do the foillowing
firstStringIsFinished=true;//set boolean to true
if(firstStringIsFinished){ //if boolean is true
counter2++; //increase counter2
if (counter2 >= text2.length()){ //if counter is less than text 2
text(text2.substring(0, counter2), 0, 40, width, height); //write text to screen
counter2 = 0; //reset counter 2
}
}
}
}
```
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/30 "2019-07-26T14:01:28Z")
> [@OptOut](#):
>
> text(text2.
This is inside the if-clause
Must be outside
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/31 "2019-07-26T14:02:32Z")
But indeed overcomplicating
You could use my timer
You could use an array for the strings and an index variable
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/32 "2019-07-26T14:08:05Z")
> [@Chrisir](#):
>
> You could use my timer
Not sure I understand this, as your time is linked to mills…and here millis is not necessary as ‘time’ is determined by length of specific string?
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/33 "2019-07-26T14:09:09Z")
ah ok, I’ll move it outside the if clause within typewritertext()…mmm, or maybe like your earlier sketch I need to move it to void draw()…i’ll investigate!
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/34 "2019-07-26T14:10:44Z")
The timer would replace the frameRate() because you would be able to say add a letter every 1.2 seconds
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/35 "2019-07-26T14:11:23Z")
It just takes training to beautify code
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2019, 2:13pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/36 "2019-07-26T14:13:36Z")
and a lot of patience 😊
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/37 "2019-07-27T13:58:47Z")
I am going to claim I’ve made some progress…although that might be in a two steps forwward, one step back kind of way…
I decided to start experimenting with my main sketch + typewriter effect.
After a lot of attempts I have something that is almost working…but definitely with some bugs…also I’m still a little bit confused over the use of your timer @Chrisir and am still using framerate…maybe this is where my bugs are, as in the discrepancy of using frameRate and incorporating a timer simultaneously?
```auto
Table table;
TableRow row;
int timer;
int counter = 0;
String amount="", name="";
String full; //a string to combine amount + name
PFont font;
void setup() {
size(500, 500);
table = loadTable("mammals.csv", "header");
timer=millis();
smooth();
font = createFont("Arial", 48); //creates font
textFont(font, 20); //text font
frameRate(5); //sets framereate to 5
typeWriter(); //declares typeWriter fucntion
}
void draw() {
background(0);
fill(255);
text(full.substring(0, counter), 0, 40, width, height); //the text to print to screen
if(counter >= full.length()){ // if my counter is more or equal to full String
counter=0; //set counter back to zero
} else{ //if not
counter++; //increase counter by 1 which gives me typewriter effect
}
if (millis()-timer > 10000) { //still a little confused about this
typeWriter(); //calls typewriter
timer=millis();
}
}
void typeWriter() {
row = table.getRow((int)random(0, 8)); //print a random row
amount = row.getString("amount"); //a string with amount
name = row.getString("name"); // prints name for row
full = amount + " " + name; //combines name and row into new String called full
}
```
My bugs that I can tell so far:
- there is a lot of repetition, I extended the csv to have more than 3 columns (8) not…but it will pick one randomly and then print 4-5 times before selecting another one. It is never just one random selection followed by another.
- It can be quite glitchy, it will start outputting a line and then jump to a new one - I suspect this is to do with timer/frameRate \*\*\* Actually, yes it is, when I reduce timer to 300 everything goes a bit crazy!
- It will also occasionally (eventually) return a string out of index.
Any advice would be great!
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/38 "2019-07-27T21:31:24Z")
> [@OptOut](#):
>
> if (millis()-timer \> 10000) {
> //still a little confused about this
> typeWriter(); //calls typewriter timer=millis(); }
Delete this
Instead where you say counter=0; also call the typeWriter
Rename typeWriter to selectRow
frameRate is okay
(when you want to get rid of frameRate, ask me again)
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/39 "2019-07-27T21:32:59Z")
> [@OptOut](#):
>
> typeWriter(); //declares typeWriter fucntion
No, this calls the function
---
### Author:  [@OptOut](https://discourse.processing.org/u/OptOut)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889/40 "2019-07-27T21:59:38Z")
very happy my code is working, very annoyed/frustrated with myself for figuring out that last part - I had removed
```auto
if (millis()-timer > 10000) { //still a little confused about this
typeWriter(); //calls typewriter
timer=millis();
}
```
but didn’t call typeWriter() correctly (now called selectRow per your suggestion).
Thanks for your help and patience @Chrisir
[Previous page](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889.md?page=1)
[Next page](https://discourse.processing.org/t/random-rows-columns-in-a-csv-file-and-print-text-with-typewriter-effect/12889.md?page=3)