Idea: Explore DATA optimization

[a2geek]

This (and number optimization) conflicts with the --preserve flag. Provide a warning if optimization + preservation is present.

It may be possible to "optimize" DATA statements a bit. (New optimizer.) Strings can be tested if quotes are required, and numbers can be reduced to the least required digits (may be part of the number optimization already).

Generally:

100 DATA "APPLE","BANANA","NAME:","    ",0.600

... could be done as:

100 DATA APPLE,BANANA,"NAME:","    ",.6

Notes:

• : must be quoted
• A quoted string in DATA can leave off the quote if it's the end of the statement. Best to not do this!
• , must be quoted
• Based on experimentation, everything else does not appear to require quotes

[a2geek]

Thought: Have two data optimizations. One to handle strings and one to handle numbers. Then numbers can be disabled.

Strings with :, ,, and anything that is just a number (., -, 0-9) remains a string.