Hi,
The project seems like an interesting challenge and a fairly simple task. I am a .NET developer, so the application I would write would be a .NET application for windows. I would be writing it in the latest (near latest) .NET 4.5.1 or 4.5.2. Just so our expectations are in line, I have a full time job developing right now and would be working on this after hours in my free-time. So if this is an extremely time-sensitive project, I will not be your best option. I do however try my best to work with you as I develop and give you a chance to provide feedback during the process. I use freelancer as a way to boost my abilities and learn new technologies. I will try my best to do the project within the 15 days I bid, but because of my full-time responsibilities that is always not possible.
I do have a few questions about the project however.
1)Does it need to be php?
2) Regarding the .DAT files your receive. Are they just text files? If so, is it a csv format or fixed-length format? How big are each of the files? Is the data in each file the same? If they aren't normal text files, are they encrypted or some known format that can be translated?
3) When the information is displayed, is it just purely a view of what was in the files all together? Will things like filename, date of the file, sorting order come into play? Does it need to display all the data in the program? What if it just converted the files and automatically opened excel after?
Please contact me to discuss.