This is a very noob-ish question so I apologize in advance, but I'm hoping to get some input and advice before I get too over my head.
I'm trying to convert some log files from a formfeed- and linefeed-delimited form into XML. I'd been thinking of using Python to do this, but I'll be honest and say that I'm very inexperienced with Python, so before I dive in I wanted to see whether some more experienced minds thought I was choosing the right tool. Basically, what I want to do is convert from instant messaging logs produced by CenterIM, which look like this (Where "^L" represents ASCII 12, the formfeed character): ^L IN MSG 1190126325 1190126325 hi ^L OUT MSG 1190126383 1190126383 hello To an XML-based format* like this: <chat account="joeblow" service="AIM" version="0.4"> <message sender="janedoe" time="1190126325">hi</message> <message sender="joeblow" time="1190126383">hello</message> </chat> Obviously there's information in the bottom example not present in the top (account names, protocol), but I'll grab those from the file name or prompt the user. Given that I'd be learning as I go along, is Python a good tool for doing this? (Am I totally insane to be trying this as a beginner?) And if so, where should I start? I'd like to avoid massive wheel-reinvention if at all possible. I'm not afraid to RTFM but there's a lot of information around on Python and I'm not sure what's most relevant. Suggestions on what to read, books to buy, etc., are all welcomed. Thanks in advance, Kadin. * For the curious, this is sort of poor attempt at the "Universal Log Format" as used by Adium on OS X. -- http://kadin.sdf-us.org/ -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list