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Class Indexing

Class Indexing, How to give your class the index ability.

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AdamSpeight2008
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11 Jun, 2009 - 06:08 PM

Post #1

Class Indexing

Example of a class indexing in use.

CODE

Dim x As String="ABCDEF"
Console.Write(x(2))

See how it possible to access the 3rd character of the string with the use of x(3)

Have you wonder how to implement them?

In this sample class code I use and array of Integer but it could any type.

CODE

Public Class ExampleOfClassIndexer
Inherits System.Collections.CollectionBase
Private m_Item(19) As Integer

' The  important overloaded property the lets us do Class Indexing.
Default Public Overloads Property Item(ByVal Index As Int32) As Integer
  Get
  ' Make sure the Index is within the bounds of the collection / array
   If Index < 0 Or Index > (m_Item.Count - 1) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException
  ' Return the item at the specified index.
   Return CType(m_Item(Index), Integer)
  End Get
'  Much the same as above but this time setting value at the specified index.
  Set(ByVal value As Integer)
   If Index < 0 Or Index > (m_Item.Count - 1) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException
   m_Item(Index) = value
  End Set
End Property

End Class

It can be extend into a higher number of dimensions.
For Example, Requires a lot more Bound Checks.

CODE

Public Class ExampleOf_2DClassIndexer
Inherits System.Collections.CollectionBase

Private m_Item(7, 7) As Integer
Default Public Overloads Property Item(ByVal RowIndex As Int32, ByVal ColIndex As Int32) As Integer
  Get
   If (RowIndex < 0) Or (RowIndex > UBound(m_Item,1)) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException("RowIndex out of bounds")
   If (ColIndex < 0) Or (ColIndex > UBound(m_Item,2)) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException("ColIndex out of bounds")

   Return CType(m_Item(RowIndex, ColIndex), Integer)
  End Get
  Set(ByVal value As Integer)
   If (RowIndex < 0) Or (RowIndex > UBound(m_Item,1)) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException("RowIndex out of bounds")
   If (ColIndex < 0) Or (ColIndex > UBound(m_Item,2)) Then Throw New IndexOutOfRangeException("ColIndex out of bounds")
   m_Item(RowIndex, ColIndex) = value
  End Set
End Property

End Class

So now you'll be a Class Indexing Coding Ninja

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astrodon

5 Aug, 2009 - 03:49 AM

Post #2

CODE

Why is the test necessary on the read portion of the property statements when the test was made on the write portion? If the property was written correctly why would there be a need to check a property that could only be good?

AdamSpeight2008
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5 Aug, 2009 - 05:35 AM

Post #3

What if the user uses Dim result = Example(-1) or Dim result = Example(200)?

They are called Sanity Checks. Check that input is valid before you use it, if not throw an exception.

This post has been edited by AdamSpeight2008: 5 Aug, 2009 - 06:15 AM