>>if you use a number of byte instead of number of line may be you can get the file size and when you scan the file make a counter of byte read so you will able to make your thermometer...
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>I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
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>As for a thermometer, we need to have the number of loop before processing the first line.

no just use the file size in byte for your reference of 100% and when you read your ascii file line by line evaluate the number of byte you already read . do it each time you read a line and make a sum of it and you will able to calculate the % ...

hope this more clear if not i will try in french
Rocky Boy...