CARDS and scoring program developers

Scoring program developers can make their software compatible with the CARDS program by supplying files, produced as output from their scorer, in the required format.

The CARDS program basically has two files for transferring information from any scorer. One is the members details file (names, numbers etc.) and the other is bridge session results or scores file.

Quite often scoring programs already produce such files and those files are normally in the industry standard Comma Separated Volume (CSV) file format that the CARDS program requires.

There are two ways to do this. The scorer can output their results to a file that is in the format required by the CARDS program. Alternatively they can supply the details of a CSV file their scorer already produces and that can be incorporated into the CARDS program. See installation procedures for more information.

The CARDS program will import Comma Separated Volume (CSV) files without much effort on the part of the developer. All fields are separated by a comma and all commas must be there. Not all fields need to contain data. Any textual data must be surrounded by double quote characters (e.g. “Mr Smith”)  particularly if it contains a comma.

• CARDS rating program players' database input format (click to expand)

  • Each field is separated by a comma and in the order shown below.

    The only required field is the surname, but the national number is highly desirable as that links the player to same person at other clubs. The paid-to date indicates that a player is paid up and a financial member of the CARDS system.

     

    If there exists a comma in a text field then it is required that it be surrounded by a double quotes like "text,text”.

     

    Commas are required for all missing fields.

    All dates should be in one format (either ddmmyy or yymmdd).

    The indicator at the left shows the field as + desirable or * required.

     

  • In a players' details input file there are 22 fields.

     

    + ABF or National number  (used in CARDS to identify existing players)

    TITLE

    1ST-NAME

    INITIALS  

    * SURNAME      

    Date of birth 

    ADDRESS-LINE-1 

    ADDRESS-LINE-2 

    ADDRESS-LINE-3 

    POST-CODE

    HOME-CLUB (ABF only)      

    RANK      (text value)     

    PHONE              

    PARAMS -1      (Parameters are not required – were used in ASE Scorer 7)

    PARAMS-2  

    PARAMS-3    

    PARAMS-4     

    PARAMS-5   

    CLUB-MEMBER (player number used in club and may be blank)   

    + PAID-TO     (date)   

    LAST-IN     (date)   

    MEMBER-TYPE  (text)

     

   

   

• CARDS rating program results files input format (click to expand)

  • The CARDS results system will import a Comma Separated Volume (CSV) file for the session results. All fields are separated by a comma. Not all fields need to contain data but commas are required for all missing fields.

     

     

    The fields are shown here in the required order.

    The indicator at the left shows the field as + desirable or * required.

    The masterpoint fields are not required and should be included if you need to (optionally) process the masterpoints within the CARDS system.

     

  • In a pairs results file there are 13 fields.
    
    +                      Player number 1  (member file reference)
    +                      Player number 2
    *                      Total Score for the session (like 123.45)
    +                      Percentage score (like 45.67)
                            Outright pair number
                            Masterpoints  gold (like 12.34)
                            Masterpoints  red 
                            Masterpoints  green
    *                      Pair number 
                            In Or Out of ratings ( "-" not in ratings ; ‘ ‘ in ratings)
    *                      Table  number in section
    *                      Seat (‘N’ North-South; ‘E’ East-West)
    *                      Section number (first = 1, then 2, 3 etc)

   

  • In a teams results file there are 15 fields.
     

    +                      Player number 1  (member file reference)
    +                      Player number 2
    +                      Player number 3
    +                      Player number 4
    +                      Player number 5
    +                      Player number 6
    *                      Total Score for the session (like 123.45)
                            Team Name 
    *                      Team number
                            Masterpoints  gold (like 12.34)
                            Masterpoints  red 
                            Masterpoints  green
                            In Or Out of ratings ( "-" not in ratings ; ‘ ‘ in ratings)
    *                      Section number (first = 1, then 2, 3 etc)
                            Opposing team number

The CARDS program database masterfile is loaded from the first of the two CSV files and is maintained as needed on a regular basis to allow for new members joining and other leaving.

Each event can be imported to the CARDS program after it has been scored. Most events are single sessions of play but it is possible for a multi-session event to be processed by the CARDS program. The results of each session of play are imported into the CARDS program from a CSV file produced by the scorer. The results of the CARDS calculations on the impacts on players ratings may be printed from the CARDS program after the session of play is imported.

Once an event is finished it is finalized by the director using that option in the CARDS program. All finalized events are then exported to the CARDS centre at the end of each month so that all the players ratings may be updated to the latest values. This can be done by email or using the automatic upload in the CARDS program.

A CARDS update file is sent back by email, or detected automatically by the CARDS program. This update file is then applied to the masterfile so that the latest ratings are used for the next month.

These two procedures, upload and download of ratings data, are only carried out automatically by the CARDS program if the club computer is connected to the internet . If not they can be sent and received by email at a time suitable to the club organisers.