VBasic Tutorials: Introduction to Collections

	Introduction to Collections

Regular Arrays as Member Variables

Introduction

As we have used so far, an array is primarily a variable. As such, it can be declared as a member of a class. To do this, you can declare it like a normal array in the body of the class. Here is an example:

Public Class NumberCrunching
    Dim Number(4) As Double
End Class

A Regular Array as a Member Variable

Like any member variable, when an array has been declared as a member variable, it is made available to all the other members of the same class. You can use this feature to initialize the array in one method and let other methods use the initialized variable. This also means that you don't have to pass the array as argument nor do you have to explicitly return it from a method.

If you plan to use the array as soon as the program is running, you can initialize it using a constructor or a method that you know would be called before the array is used. Here is an example:

Public Class NumberCrunching
    Dim Number(4) As Double

    Public Sub New()
        Number(0) = 12.44
        Number(1) = 525.38
        Number(2) = 6.28
        Number(3) = 2448.32
        Number(4) = 632.04
    End Sub
End Class

After an array is made a member variable, it can be used by any other member of the same class. Based on this, you can use a member of the same class to request values that would initialize it. You can also use another method to explore the array. Here is an example:

Public Class NumberCrunching
    Dim Number(4) As Double

    Public Sub New()
        Number(0) = 12.44
        Number(1) = 525.38
        Number(2) = 6.28
        Number(3) = 2448.32
        Number(4) = 632.04
    End Sub

    Public Sub DisplayNumber()
        For i As Integer = 0 To 4 Step 1
            Console.WriteLine("Number {0}: {1}", i, Number(i))
        Next
    End Sub

End Class

This program can be tested with the following:

Imports System

Public Class Exercise
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        Dim lstNumber As NumberCrunching = New NumberCrunching

        lstNumber.DisplayNumber()
        Console.WriteLine()
    End Sub
End Class

This would produce:

Number 0: 12.44
Number 1: 525.38
Number 2: 6.28
Number 3: 2448.32
Number 4: 632.04

A Class as an Array Member Variable

To use a class as an array member variable, declare the array as we have used them so far. For example, imagine you have created a class as follows:

Imports System

Public Class Square
    Private _side As Double

    Public Sub New()
        _side = 0
    End Sub

    Public Property Side() As Double
        Get
            Return _side
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Double)
            _side = Value
        End Set
    End Property
		
    Public ReadOnly Property Perimeter() As Double
        Get
            Return _side * 4
        End Get
    End Property
		
    Public ReadOnly Property Area() As Double
        Get
            Return _side * _side
        End Get
    End Property

End Class

If the array will be declared as a member of the main class, you should (must) make it Shared. Here is how you can declare an array variable from the above class:

Public Class Exercise
    Shared Sq(2) As Square

    Public Shared Sub Main()
    End Sub
End Class

After declaring the array, you can initialize it using the Main() procedure. You should first allocate memory using the New operator for each member of the array. Each member of the array is accessed using its index. Once the array exists, you can access each member of the class indirectly from the index of the variable. Here is an example:

Imports System

Public Class Square
    Private _side As Double

    Public Sub New()
        _side = 0
    End Sub

    Public Property Side() As Double
        Get
            Return _side
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Double)
            _side = Value
        End Set
    End Property
		
    Public ReadOnly Property Perimeter() As Double
        Get
            Return _side * 4
        End Get
    End Property
		
    Public ReadOnly Property Area() As Double
        Get
            Return _side * _side
        End Get
    End Property

End Class

Public Class Exercise
    Shared Sq(2) As Square

    Public Shared Sub Main()
        Sq(0) = New Square
        Sq(0).Side = 18.84

        Sq(1) = New Square
        Sq(1).Side = 25.62

        Console.WriteLine("Squares Characteristics")
        Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "First Square")
        Console.WriteLine("Side:      {0}", Sq(0).Side)
        Console.WriteLine("Perimeter: {0}", Sq(0).Perimeter)
        Console.WriteLine("Area:      {0}", Sq(0).Area)

        Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Second Square")
        Console.WriteLine("Side:      {0}", Sq(1).Side)
        Console.WriteLine("Perimeter: {0}", Sq(1).Perimeter)
        Console.WriteLine("Area:      {0}", Sq(1).Area)
    End Sub
End Class

This would produce:

Squares Characteristics

First Square
Side:      18.84
Perimeter: 75.36
Area:      354.9456

Second Square
Side:      25.62
Perimeter: 102.48
Area:      656.3844

If the array variable will be made a member of the non-main class, after declaring it, you can initialize it in a procedure you know would be called first, which is usually the constructor.

Practical Learning: Introducing Arrays and Classes

Start Notepad and, in the empty file, type the following:

Interface IStockItem
    Property PartNumber() As String
    Property PartName() As String
    Property UnitPrice() As Double
End Interface

Public Class Part
    Implements IStockItem

    Private ID As String
    Protected name As String
    Protected price As Decimal
    Private qty As Integer

    Public Sub New()
        ID = ""
        name = "Unknown"
        price = 0.0
    End Sub

    Public Sub New(ByVal Nbr As String, ByVal nm As String, ByVal pr As Double)
        ID = Nbr
        name = nm
        price = pr
    End Sub

    Public Property PartName() As String Implements IStockItem.PartName
        Get
            Return ID
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            ID = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property PartNumber() As String Implements IStockItem.PartNumber
        Get
            Return name
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            name = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property UnitPrice() As Double Implements IStockItem.UnitPrice
        Get
            Return price
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Double)
            price = Value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property Quantity() As Integer
        Get
            Return qty
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Integer)
            qty = Value
        End Set
    End Property
End Class

On the main menu of Notepad, click File -> New
When asked whether you want to save the changes, click Yes
Locate the VBasic folder and display it in the Save In combo box
Create a new folder named AutoParts1 and and display it in the Save In combo box
Change the Save As Type to All Files
Set the file name to Part.vb and click Save

In the new empty file of Notepad, type the following:

Public Class PartsList
    Public Shared ItemNumber() As String = { _
       "GD646", "EU473", "AH325", "KS745", "KE374", "GD943", _
       "GH386", "WD394", "TR944", "GD844", "GD933", "GW478", _
       "LA943", "RU688", "PP797", "RA292", "AG778", "KQ820", _
       "GT722", "WA502", "AL848", "RU382", "HJ624", "RL555", _
       "PQ273", "ER162", "EY275", "LM357", "RU473", "QW374", _
       "QR374", "PQ902", "QT847", "PY784", "TQ483", "EQ173", _
       "UG376", "PI489", "BT389", "CQ274", "QX202", "GN780", _
       "XZ485", "BD199"}

		public Shared  Description() as string = { _
			"Bearing Clutch Pilot  ", "Belt Accessory Drive  ", _
			"Break Drum            ", "Right Mirror          ", _
			"Break Shoe            ", "Signal Lamp Assembly  ", _
			"Bearing Input Shaft   ", "Brake Disc            ", _
			"Front Wheel Lug Nut   ", "Front Pump Gasket     ", _
			"Filter Steering       ", "Air Control Valve     ", _
			"Clutch Master Clndr   ", "Tie Rod               ", _
			"Ball Joint            ", "Drive Belt            ", _
			"Oil Filter            ", "Timing Belt           ", _
			"Intake Manifold Gask  ", "Spark Plug Seal       ", _
			"Air Filter            ", "Fuel Injector Clip    ", _
			"Brk Caliper w/o Pads  ", "Crankshaft Seal       ", _
			"Oil Pump              ", "Timing Belt Tensioner ", _
			"Camshaft Seal         ", "Valve Cover Gasket    ", _
			"Valve Stem Seal       ", "Starter               ", _
			"Radiator Cap          ", "Thermostat Gasket     ", _
			"Water Pump            ", "Spark Plug Platinum   ", _
			"Tie Rod Assembly      ", "Oil Pump              ", _
			"Piston Ring Set       ", "Distributor Cap       ", _
			"Oil Seal Front Pump   ", "Transmitter Filter Kit", _
			"Tail Lamp Assembly    ", "Bearing Wheel         ", _
			"Left Mirror           ", "Caliper Bolt/Pin      " }

    Public Shared Price() As Double = { _
       9.75, 6.75, 20.55, 9.35, 20.25, 74.55, 45.25, 85.5, _
       1.75, 0.75, 1.55, 35.25, 124.55, 32.55, 25.75, 10.65, _
       6.25, 45.95, 18.55, 4.15, 15.65, 17.05, 190.5, 10.55, _
     218.75, 264.55, 8.95, 22.75, 3.95, 320.65, 12.75, 4.2, _
      12.95, 145.85, 3.95, 155.75, 218.75, 275.55, 7.05, 9.25, _
       5.05, 40.15, 7.25, 3.55}
End Class

On the main menu of Notepad, click File -> New
When asked whether you want to save the changes, click Yes
Make sure the AutoParts1 folder is selected in the Save In combo box.
Change the Save As Type to All Files
Set the file name to PartsList.vb and press Enter

In the new and empty file of Notepad, type the following:

Public Class ListOfParts
    ' Because we are going to create an array-based list, 
    ' we will use this constant as its dimension
    Const MaxItems As Integer = 100

    ' This will help us keep track on the number of items in the list
    Private SizeOfList As Integer

    ' This method is used to add a new item to the list of auto parts
    Public Sub Add(ByVal P As Part)
        ' Increase the count of items of the list
        SizeOfList = SizeOfList + 1
    End Sub

    ' This method simply returns an item from the array,
    ' using a specified index
    Public Function Retrieve(ByVal n As Integer) As Part

    End Function

    ' This method returns the current number of items in the list
    Public Function Count() As Integer
        Return SizeOfList
    End Function

    ' Default Constructor: Used to initialize an object
    Public Sub ListOfParts()
        ' When this class is primarily accessed, we want to indicate that
        ' its list is empty
        SizeOfList = 0
    End Sub
End Class

Save the new file as ListCreator.vb in the same AutoParts1 folder

Open a new instance of Notepad and type the following in it:

Imports System

Public Class Exercise
    Public Shared Sub main()

    End Sub
End Class

Save the new file as Exercise.vb in the same AutoParts1 folder

To declare a class as an array member variable and apply what we have learned so far, change the ListCreator.vb file as follows:

Public Class ListCreator
    ' Because we are going to create an array-based list, 
    ' we will use this constant as its dimension
    Const MaxItems As Integer = 100
    ' An object declared as array
    Dim Item(MaxItems) As Part

    ' This will help us keep track on the number of items in the list
    Private SizeOfList As Integer

    ' This method is used to add a new item to the list of auto parts
    Public Sub Add(ByVal P As Part)
        ' Before adding a new item, first make sure that we still have room
        If SizeOfList < MaxItems Then
            ' If we still have room, add the new item to the array
            Item(SizeOfList) = P
            ' Increase the count of items of the list
            SizeOfList = SizeOfList + 1
        End If
    End Sub

    ' This method simply returns an item from the array,
    ' using a specified index
    Public Function Retrieve(ByVal n As Integer) As Part
        ' This method simply return an item from the array, using a specified index
        Return Item(n)
    End Function

    ' This method returns the current number of items in the list
    Public Function Count() As Integer
        Return SizeOfList
    End Function

    ' Default Constructor: Used to initialize an object
    Public Sub ListOfParts()
        ' When this class is primarily accessed, we want to indicate that
        ' its list is empty
        SizeOfList = 0
    End Sub
End Class

Save the file

Access the Exercise.vb file and change it as follows:

Imports System

Module Exercise
    ' This method is used to request a part number from the user
    ' Check if that part number exists in the database
    ' If it does, the method adds that part to the list
    Private Sub ProcessAnItem(ByVal lc As ListCreator)
        Dim AnItem As Part
        Dim PartID As String
        Dim Qty As Integer

        ' Ask the user to enter a part number
        Do
            Console.Write("Enter the part number (q to stop): ")
            PartID = Console.ReadLine()

            ' Scan the list
            For i As Integer = 0 To PartsList.Description.Length - 1
                AnItem = New Part

                ' If the part number exists in our database	
                If PartID = PartsList.ItemNumber(i) Then
                    ' Create a Part object from it
                    AnItem.PartNumber = PartsList.ItemNumber(i)
                    AnItem.PartName = PartsList.Description(i)
                    AnItem.UnitPrice = PartsList.Price(i)

                    ' Request the quantity from the user
                    Try
                        Console.Write("How many? ")
                        Qty = CInt(Console.ReadLine())
                        AnItem.Quantity = Qty
                    Catch ex As InvalidCastException
                        Console.WriteLine("Invalid Quantity!!!")
                    End Try

                    ' Once the part has been "built", add it to the order
                    lc.Add(AnItem)
                End If
            Next
        Loop While PartID <> "q" And PartID <> "Q"
    End Sub

    ' This method is used to display a receipt
    ' It uses a list, Receipt, passed as argument
    ' It also calculates the price of each item and the total price of the order
    ' They are also part of the receipt
    Private Sub DisplayReceipt(ByVal Receipt As ListCreator)
        Dim SubTotal As Double, TotalOrder As Double

        Console.WriteLine("========================================================")
        Console.WriteLine("    =-= Four-Corner Auto-Parts =-=")
        Console.WriteLine("------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------")
        Console.WriteLine("Part#  Qty  Description               Price   SubTotal")
        Console.WriteLine("------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------")

        For i As Integer = 0 To Receipt.Count() - 1
            'TPart Item = Receipt.Retrieve(i)
            SubTotal = Receipt.Retrieve(i).UnitPrice * Receipt.Retrieve(i).Quantity()

            TotalOrder += SubTotal

            Console.WriteLine("{0}   {1}   {2}    {3,6}    {4,6}", _
             Receipt.Retrieve(i).PartNumber, _
             Receipt.Retrieve(i).Quantity, _
             Receipt.Retrieve(i).PartName, _
             Receipt.Retrieve(i).UnitPrice, _
             SubTotal)
        Next

        Console.WriteLine("------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------")
        Console.WriteLine("Total Order: {0:C}", TotalOrder)
        Console.WriteLine("========================================================")
    End Sub

    Public Sub main()
        Dim lstParts As ListCreator = New ListCreator

        ProcessAnItem(lstParts)
        Console.WriteLine()
        DisplayReceipt(lstParts)
        Console.WriteLine()
    End Sub
End Module

Save the file
Access the Command Prompt and change to the above AutoParts1 folder
To compile it, type vbc /out:"Four-Corner Auto-Parts".exe ListCreator.vb PartsList.vb Exercise.vb and press Enter

To execute it, type "Four-Corner Auto-Parts" and press Enter. Here is an example of processing an order:

Enter the part number (q to stop): LA943
How many? 1
Enter the part number (q to stop): TR944
How many? 2
Enter the part number (q to stop): EQ173
How many? 1
Enter the part number (q to stop): QT847
How many? 1
Enter the part number (q to stop): q

========================================================
    =-= Four-Corner Auto-Parts =-=
------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------
Part#  Qty  Description               Price   SubTotal
------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------
LA943   1   Clutch Master Clndr       124.55    124.55
TR944   2   Front Wheel Lug Nut         1.75      3.50
EQ173   1   Oil Pump                  155.75    155.75
QT847   1   Water Pump                 12.95     12.95
------+---+-------------------------+-------+-----------
                Total Order: $296.75
========================================================

Return to Notepad

A Class Array Passed as Argument

Like a regular data type, a class can be passed to a procedure as argument. Everything is primarily done the same except that, since the argument is an array, each member of the array is a variable in its own right, with a value for each member variable of the class. Based on this, when dealing with the argument, you can access each of its members individually using its index.

Returning a Class Array From a Method

Once again, like a regular variable, an array can be returned from a function. The syntax also follows that of a regular data type. When the function ends, you must make sure it returns an array and not a regular variable.


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