1. Data file must be prepared as an ASCII-file by means of any suitable text processor in a table form. The strings are terminated by "end of string" symbol. All strings should have the same number of fields. Fields in the strings are separated by "tabulation" symbols or commas. Data file consists of two parts: HEADER and MAIN.

2. MAIN contains the list of alternatives given by their attributes. The first field (column) provides verbal information on an alternative, the other fields contain the attribute values (numbers). This field should not be empty; moreover, it should start with a letter.

3. HEADER is comprised of two strings which are placed beyond the list of alternatives.
3.1. The first string contains the names of attributes separated by "tabulation" symbols or commas. Any name should start with letter.
3.2. The second string contains symbols "+" and "-", separated by "tabulation" symbols or commas. Number of these symbols is equal to the number of columns in the table. Symbols indicate the direction of improvement for attribute values. If it is desirable to increase (to decrease) the attribute value, symbol "+" ("-") is placed. In the first column, "#"symbol should be provided.

Alter-ve,LOT-SIZE,AGE,PRICE,BDRMS,BATHS
#,+,-,-,+,+
HOUS1,0.250,48.000,290.000,5.000,4.000
HOUS2,0.400,22.000,90.000,5.000,2.000
HOUS3,0.600,25.000,92.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS4,0.300,45.000,42.000,2.000,1.000
HOUS5,0.250,16.000,48.000,2.000,1.000
HOUS6,0.200,34.000,88.000,2.000,1.000
HOUS7,0.600,12.000,95.000,4.000,2.000
HOUS8,1.330,40.000,180.000,7.000,5.000
HOUS9,0.300,45.000,55.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS10,0.400,30.000,80.000,3.000,1.000
HOUS11,0.600,20.000,160.000,5.000,2.000
HOUS12,0.350,22.000,113.000,4.000,2.000
HOUS13,1.250,14.000,180.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS14,0.600,17.000,120.000,6.000,2.000
HOUS15,1.000,9.000,140.000,6.000,3.000
HOUS16,0.300,26.000,110.000,4.000,2.000
HOUS17,2.000,60.000,245.000,8.000,5.000
HOUS18,1.200,7.000,215.000,7.000,4.000
HOUS19,0.400,11.000,175.000,4.000,3.000
HOUS20,0.750,15.000,120.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS21,0.500,3.000,275.000,4.000,3.000
HOUS22,1.000,18.000,180.000,5.000,3.000
HOUS23,0.350,16.000,105.000,4.000,1.000
HOUS24,0.450,4.000,194.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS25,0.200,28.000,43.000,3.000,2.000
HOUS26,0.850,27.000,105.000,5.000,2.000
HOUS27,0.500,15.000,185.000,5.000,3.000
HOUS28,0.250,14.000,65.000,4.000,2.000
HOUS29,1.750,32.000,135.000,4.000,2.000
HOUS30,0.400,35.000,76.000,3.000,1.000
HOUS31,0.250,7.000,125.000,4.000,2.000