[R] query on converting survey data from one structure to another

[Vumani Dlamini]

Dear R users,

I am trying to convert a dataset from one format to several rectangular 
datasets. A consultant helped design the data entry program for our survey 
using Delphi/Pascal and for each household the information is stored in a 
file called "EA-HM-HH.TXT" where EA is the enumeration area number, HM is 
the homestead number and HH is the household number. Within this file the 
data is stored as follows,


###### file="5677-001-001.TXT" ######
EAnumber=5677
HMnumber=001
HHnumber=001
# Demographics section
Dserial=01   #first person in household
Dage=56
Dsex=1
Dserial=02   #second person in household
Dage=44
Dsex=2
Dserial=03   #second person in household
Dage=7
Dsex=2
# Agricultural inputs section
Amaize=200
Apumpkins=50
###### end of file ########

Note that in the demograpics section there may only be less than 3 or more 
people in some households. I would like to create a file for the 
demographics section which is as follows

EAnumber|HMnumber|HHnumber|Dserial|Dage|Dsex
5677 001 001 056 1
5677 001 001 044 2
5677 001 001 007 2

and for the agricultural inputs I would like to have,

EAnumber|HMnumber|HHnumber|Amaize|Apumpkins
5677 001 001 0200
5677 001 001 0050

There are several similar files where the EA number, HM number or HH number 
changes, thus I would also like to know whether it is possible to create a 
script where for all household there is only one dataset for demographics, 
and one for agricultural inputs.

Thanking you as always.


Vumani Dlamini