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**ValidateLine( **//line //**), PROTECTED, VIRTUAL**

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| **ValidateLine** | A virtual placeholder method to implement a filter. |
| //line// | The offset or position of the line of text to evaluate. |

The **ValidateLine **method is a virtual placeholder method to implement a filter. ValidateLine returns one (1) to include the //line //and zero (0) to exclude the //line//.

**Implementation:**

The ValidateLine method is a placeholder method for derived classes. The ASCIIFileClass calls the ValidateLine method when it initially reads a record.

**Return Data Type:     **BYTE

**Example:**

**MyFileClass.ValidateLine FUNCTION(STRING LineToTest)**

** CODE**

** IF LineToTest[1] = '!'           !check for ! in column 1**

**  RETURN False                    !exclude lines with !**

** ELSE**

**  RETURN True                     !include all other lines**

** END**