[Schmit38]

I have a program that has a splash screen.


I need to start loading my data on the mainform while the splash screen makes the user wait

My question is,

Do I declare thread1 in the splashscreen form or do I declare both threads in the main form load area?

Thank You...

Here is splash screen code..I declared th1 as current thread which i assume is the loading of the splash screen
th2 is a sub in the main form which loads after the splash

Imports System.Threading
Public NotInheritable Class SplashScreen1
	Public th1 As Thread
	Public th2 As Thread
	Private Sub splash_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		th1 = Thread.CurrentThread
		th2 = New Thread(AddressOf frmPortland.DownloadPageOregon)
		Timer1.Start()
	End Sub
	Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
		If (Me.ProgressBar1.Value < 100) Then
			Me.ProgressBar1.Value += 1
		Else
			Me.Timer1.Enabled = False
			Me.Hide()
		End If

		If (Me.ProgressBar1.Value = 10) Then
			Dim frm As New frmPortland
			th2.Start()
		End If
	End Sub
 
End Class

So far I am able to get both started but am getting a cross-threading error when the sub is processing on the main form

Did lots of research on this last night and I now realize that I cant use My Beginning VB.Net books for this
This is an advanced topic and it means alot to me to understand it (at least partially anyway)

Also, I need to know if the doevents() call is needed here and where do i put that?

This post has been edited by Schmit38: 23 January 2008 - 10:46 AM

[Nayana]

DoEvents is evil!!

There's no problem as such with your current code (although I would do it a completely different way), your problem is actually where you are trying to do stuff to your form from th2 in frmPortland.DownloadPageOregon. Because your form actually runs on th1. You can get around this problem by using Invoke. If you show the code in frmPortland.DownloadPageOregon then I can show you how to change it.

Or somebody else will. Whoever feels nicest at the time they see it

[Schmit38]

Nayana , thank you so much for helping. Multi-threading looks very confusing. Its a relief to have such smart coders on here like yourself

Private Sub frmPortland_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
		If data = Nothing Then
			DownloadPageOregon()

		End If


		Cities(1) = "Bonneville"
		Cities(2) = "Bridal Veil"
		Cities(3) = "CW0493 Gresham"
		Cities(4) = "CW1753 Portland"
		Cities(5) = "CW2654 Corbett"
		Cities(6) = "CW2664 Corbett"
		Cities(7) = "CW2936 Portland"
		Cities(8) = "CW5646 Portland"
		Cities(9) = "CW9087 Portland"
		Cities(10) = "CW9374 Gresham"
		Cities(11) = "CW9430 Gresham"
		Cities(12) = "Fremont Bridge W"
		Cities(13) = "Glen Jackson Bri"
		Cities(14) = "I-205 at Divisio"
		Cities(15) = "KB7PGV Gresham"
		Cities(16) = "LOG CREEK"
		Cities(17) = "NORTH FORK"
		Cities(18) = "Portland - NWS W"
		Cities(19) = "Portland Interna"
		Cities(20) = "Portland-"
		Cities(21) = "Rooster Rock"
		Cities(22) = "Troutdale (I-84"
		Cities(23) = "Zoo"



		DownloadPage()
		'ListView1.Visible = False
		Me.Text = "Multnomah County Round-Up"
		'lblTime.Visible = False
		'DownloadPage()
		' Set to Details view.
		Me.ListView1.View = View.Details
		' Add columns using the ColHeader class. The fourth	
		' parameter specifies true for an ascending sort order.
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Station", 110, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Temp", 45, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("High", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Low", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Chg", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Prec.", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Elev", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Time", 60, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))



		Me.Controls.Add(Me.ListView1)

		AddHandler Me.ListView1.ColumnClick, AddressOf ListView1_ColumnClick
		ListView1.BringToFront()
		Dim currenttime As String
		Dim s As String
		Dim t As String
		currenttime = Date.Now.ToString
		t = currenttime.IndexOf("2008")
		s = currenttime.Substring(t + 4, 6)
		s = s.Trim
		If s(4) = ":" Then
			s = currenttime.Substring(t + 4, 5)
			s = s.Trim

		End If
		Dim ampm As String
		ampm = currenttime.Substring(currenttime.Length - 2)



		Dim CPUtime As String
		CPUtime = s & ampm
		txtTime.Text = "Multnomah County observations at " & CPUtime

	End Sub


	Sub DownloadPage()
	  
		Dim S As String
		ListView1.Items.AddRange(New ListViewItem() {s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s6, s7, s8, s9, s10, s11, s12, s13, s14, s15, s16, s17, s18, s19, s20, s21, s22, s23})
		's3

		' Dim objreader As StreamReader = New StreamReader("C:\Clark.txt", False)
		'CutData = objreader.ReadToEnd

		'Move string position to first record
		Position = data.IndexOf("Current Weather Summary for OREGON") '148552
		'CityNameLength = Length
		'Cut any code out prior to that spot
		CutData = data.Substring(Position) '485334

		S = CutData.IndexOf("University of Utah")
		CutData = CutData.Substring(0, S)
		' textData.Text = CutData '632960
		'  MsgBox(CutData.Length)

		'Dim objWriter As StreamWriter = New StreamWriter("C:\Clark.txt", False)
		'objWriter.Write(CutData)
		'objWriter.Close()
		'objWriter = Nothing

		'CityName = txtSearch.Text.ToUpper()


		LoadData()

		' label90.BackColor = Color.Transparent

	End Sub

	Sub LoadData()
		y = 0


		Dim slash1 As Integer
		Dim slash2 As Integer
		Dim slash3 As Integer
		Dim slash4 As Integer
		Dim slash5 As Integer
		Dim i As Integer

		For i = 1 To 23


Here:	   Position = CutData.IndexOf(Cities(i))
			If Position = -1 Then
				y = y + 1
				If y = 1 Then
					ListView1.Items.RemoveAt(i - 1)
				End If
				If y = 2 Then
					ListView1.Items.RemoveAt(i - y)
				End If
				If i < 23 Then
					i = i + 1
					GoTo Here
				End If


			End If


			Try
				SubStr = CutData.Substring(Position, 990)
			Catch ex As ArgumentOutOfRangeException
				'MsgBox(Cities(i) & " station is not reporting")
			End Try


			StationString = SubStr
			Station = StationString.Substring(0, CityNameLength) 'Index 0
			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">")  'Index 10
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1) 'Index 16
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1) 'Index 23
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1) 'Index 41

			Elev = StationString.Substring(slash4, 4)
			If Elev.IndexOf(">") <> -1 Then
				Elev = StationString.Substring(slash4 + 1, 5)
			End If
			If Elev.IndexOf("&") <> -1 Then
				Dim a As String
				a = Elev.IndexOf("&")
				Elev = Elev.Substring(0, a)
			End If


			Elev = CInt(Elev)

			If Val(Elev) < 100 Then
				Elev = "  " & Elev
			End If


			Elev = CInt(Elev)
			If Elev < 1000 Then
				Elev = " " + Elev

			End If








			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 5)  'Index 59
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1) 'Index 64
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1) 'Index 71
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1) 'Index 90

			UTC = StationString.Substring(slash4 + 1, 7)
			UTC = UTC.Trim

			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 8)  'Index 10
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1) 'Index 109
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1) 'Index 116
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1) 'Index 135

			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4)  'Index 135
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1) 'Index 145
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1) 'Index 150
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1) 'Index 157
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1) 'Index 176

			CurrentTemp = StationString.Substring(slash5 + 1, 7)
			CurrentTemp = CurrentTemp.Trim
			If CurrentTemp = "-</font" Then
				CurrentTemp = "0"
			End If


			CurrentTemp = CInt(CurrentTemp)
			If CurrentTemp > -10 And CurrentTemp < 10 Then
				CurrentTemp = " " + CurrentTemp
			End If

			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash5)  'Index 176
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1) 'Index 190
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1) 'Index 195
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1) 'Index 202
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1) 'Index 221


			RH = StationString.Substring(slash5, 12)
			Dim start As Integer = RH.IndexOf(">")
			Dim EndStr As Integer = RH.IndexOf("<")
			RH = RH.Substring(start + 1, EndStr - 1)

			RH = RH.TrimStart
			If RH = "-" Then
				RH = ""
			End If


			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash5)
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1)
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1)
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1)
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1)

			Dwpt = StationString.Substring(slash5, 12)
			Dim Begin As Integer
			Dim EndPos As Integer
			Begin = Dwpt.IndexOf(">")
			EndPos = Dwpt.IndexOf("<")
			Dwpt = Dwpt.Substring(Begin + 1, EndPos - 1)

			If Dwpt = "-" Then
				Dwpt = ""
			End If
			Dwpt = Dwpt.TrimStart()


			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash5)
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1)
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1)
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1)
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1)

			Wind = StationString.Substring(slash5 - 1, 10)

			If Wind.IndexOf(">") <> -1 Then
				SS = Wind.IndexOf(">")
				Wind = Wind.Substring(SS + 1)
			End If
			If Wind.LastIndexOf("<") <> -1 Then
				WW = Wind.LastIndexOf("<")
				Wind = Wind.Substring(0, WW)
			End If
			Wind.Trim()
			If Wind = "-" Then
				Wind = ""
				If Wind = Nothing Then
					Wind = "0"
				End If
			End If
			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash5)
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1)
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1)
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1)
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1) '356

			Direction = StationString.Substring(slash5 - 1, 5)
			If Direction.IndexOf(">") <> -1 Then
				SS = Direction.IndexOf(">")
				Direction = Direction.Substring(SS + 1)
			End If
			If Direction.LastIndexOf("<") <> -1 Then
				WW = Direction.LastIndexOf("<")
				Direction = Direction.Substring(0, WW)
			End If
			Direction.Trim()
			If Direction = "-" Then
				Direction = ""
			End If
			If Wind = "-" Then
				Direction = ""
			End If

			slash1 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash5)
			slash2 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash1 + 1)
			slash3 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash2 + 1)
			slash4 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash3 + 1)
			slash5 = StationString.IndexOf(">", slash4 + 1) '396

			PeakWind = StationString.Substring(slash5 + 1, 10)

			If PeakWind.IndexOf(">") <> -1 Then
				SS = PeakWind.IndexOf(">")
				PeakWind = PeakWind.Substring(SS + 1)
			End If
			If PeakWind.LastIndexOf("<") <> -1 Then
				WW = PeakWind.LastIndexOf("<")
				PeakWind = PeakWind.Substring(0, WW)
			End If
			PeakWind.Trim()
			If PeakWind = "-" Then
				PeakWind = "0"
			End If
			If PeakWind = "" Then
				PeakWind = "0"
			End If
			PeakWind.Trim()
			If Val(PeakWind) < 10 Then
				PeakWind = "0"
			End If
			Wind = Wind.Trim()
			Wind = Wind.TrimStart()
			PeakWind = PeakWind.Trim()
			PeakWind.TrimStart()
			Wind.Trim()
			If Val(Wind) = 0 Then
				Wind = ""
			End If
			PeakWind.Trim()
			If Val(PeakWind) = 0 Then
				PeakWind = ""
			End If

			If PeakWind <> "0" And PeakWind <> "" Then
				PeakWind = " G" & PeakWind

			End If


			WDSP = (Direction & " " & Wind & PeakWind)



			End If

This post has been edited by Schmit38: 23 January 2008 - 09:11 PM

[Martyr2]

When you do threads you have to start thinking parallel processing. We showed you how to process in the background using one thread, the rest of your forms and such are on another thread.

To keep things simple don't do too much with the background thread we had setup for you. Keep everything going on the main thread.

And btw... DoEvents is just fine if you know how to use it.

[Nayana]

Martyr is of course correct. You don't need to do threading for the sake of threading.

But learning how to access controls from another thread is something you'll probably have to do sooner or later, so you may as well learn now.

You also haven't shown the code for the function DownloadPageOregon() !!

Because inside that function, (from what I assume) you are trying to access some controls on the form. I need to see that code, so I can show you how to use Invoke to do what you are trying to do.

If the thread is constantly accessing the controls, then it should probably not be in that thread.

But this is all conjecture until I see that code. Then we can see whether or not it deserves to have another thread.

As for where you declare the threads, well that really depends on the context of the thread. Where and why is it going to be used?


---
Though personally, I don't see much use for the DoEvents function; if something is going to run for a long time, it may as well run in a thread.

[Schmit38]

I have read several article/tutorials about starting and switching threads since my last post.

Here is the sub that is causing my progress bar to freeze. I need this to load on a different thread somehow

BTW , thank you Martyr2 and Nayana for helping me.. you guys are the best!

	Sub DownloadPageOregon()

		Dim uri As New Uri("http://www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/raws_ca_monitor.cgi?state=OR&rawsflag=290")
		Dim builder As New StringBuilder

		builder.Append("AbsolutePath: " & uri.AbsolutePath & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("AbsoluteUri: " & uri.AbsoluteUri & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Host: " & uri.Host & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("HostNameType: " & uri.HostNameType.ToString() & _
		vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("LocalPath: " & uri.LocalPath & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("PathAndQuery: " & uri.PathAndQuery & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Port: " & uri.Port & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Query: " & uri.Query & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Scheme: " & uri.Scheme)
		'MsgBox(builder.ToString())

		Dim request As WebRequest = WebRequest.Create(uri)
		Dim response As WebResponse = request.GetResponse()
		builder = New StringBuilder
		builder.Append("Request type: " & request.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Response type: " & response.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Content length: " & response.ContentLength & _
		" bytes" & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Content type: " & response.ContentType & vbCrLf)
		'MsgBox(builder.ToString())

		Dim stream As Stream = response.GetResponseStream()
		Dim reader As New StreamReader(stream)
		System.Windows.Forms.Application.DoEvents()
		data = reader.ReadToEnd()

		reader.Close()
		stream.Close()
		response.Close()
	End Sub

This post has been edited by PsychoCoder: 24 January 2008 - 11:04 PM

[Nayana]

No, DoEvents will not work in this situation, because the pausing is actually happening on the lines

Dim response As WebResponse = request.GetResponse()
'AND
reader.ReadToEnd()

The first, because it is waiting for an HTTP response, and the second because it is waiting for the data to download.

Your only choice is to put it in another thread. This is fairly easy. When you call DownloadPageOregon, do it like this:

Dim oregonThread As New Threading.Thread(AddressOf DownloadPageOregon)

oregonThread.Start()

The oregonThread object will continue to exist, until the sub, DownloadPageOregon has completed.

When you want to pass the data back to the user interface, you must use Invoke. (Actually, in VS2003 you don't have to, but funny things will happen if you don't. In VS'05 and 08 it is a requirement)

You can do it by making a delegate and a sub:

Delegate Sub dDataReady(ByVal text As String)

Sub DataReady(ByVal text As String)
  TextBox1.Text = text
End Sub

I've changed the code in your sub, so that it will work:

Sub DownloadPageOregon()

	Dim uri As New Uri("http://www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/raws_ca_monitor.cgi?state=OR&rawsflag=290")
	Dim builder As New StringBuilder

	builder.Append("AbsolutePath: " & uri.AbsolutePath & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("AbsoluteUri: " & uri.AbsoluteUri & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Host: " & uri.Host & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("HostNameType: " & uri.HostNameType.ToString() & _
	vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("LocalPath: " & uri.LocalPath & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("PathAndQuery: " & uri.PathAndQuery & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Port: " & uri.Port & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Query: " & uri.Query & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Scheme: " & uri.Scheme)

	Dim request As WebRequest = WebRequest.Create(uri)

	Dim response As WebResponse = request.GetResponse()

	builder = New StringBuilder

	builder.Append("Request type: " & request.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Response type: " & response.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Content length: " & response.ContentLength & _
	" bytes" & vbCrLf)
	builder.Append("Content type: " & response.ContentType & vbCrLf)

	Dim stream As Stream = response.GetResponseStream()

	Dim reader As New StreamReader(stream)


' I made a new variable, because it is dangerous to access variables across different threads.
	Dim text As String = reader.ReadToEnd()

	reader.Close()
	stream.Close()
	response.Close()

'Here we are basically calling DataReady(text)
'But we have to do this funny stuff because of
'the requirements of Invoke and BeginInvoke.
'In my opinion they should build it in the syntax
	Dim arguments(0) As String
	arguments(0) = text

'This line makes the code run in the same thread as Me (which is the Form)
	Me.BeginInvoke(New dDataReady(AddressOf DataReady), arguments)
End Sub

I've even tested it

This post has been edited by Nayana: 25 January 2008 - 12:10 AM

[Schmit38]

Thank you for the code snippets!!

The only problem I am having now is the fact that I want to call DownloadPageOregon when the splash screen progress bar begins. When I try to start the thread from the splash screen form I get an error on this line

  Me.BeginInvoke(New dDataReady(AddressOf DataReady), arguments)

And error message says: Invoke or BeginInvoke cannot be called
on a control until the
window handle has been created.

How would I change the splash screen code to start the thread there?
Would I have to move the current code you gave me from DownloadPageOregon?

As it stands now, both threads run fine since your code fix. But the DownloadPageOregon thread only starts after the progress bar is finished. Wonder if I should move the Me.BeginInvoke statement to the splash form instead?

Its was rather confusing trying to debug two threads running at once. Guess I need to learn thread tracing.

This post has been edited by Schmit38: 25 January 2008 - 09:04 PM

[Nayana]

From looking at your code, it would appear that the thread starts soon after the value of your progress bar is 10. The point is that it takes a long time to finish, so it will probably finish after your progress bar has already reached 100.

You could probably make it appear to finish around the same time, by making your progress bar go slower.

Moving the Me.BeginInvoke to the splash screen will not make it go any faster.

[Schmit38]

Still not able to get DownloadPageOregon data stream THREAD to load while progress bar does its thing. Seems as though the thread is still not starting until the progress bar is finished. Below is the code which has been edited for me by Nayana . I am sure I have something in the wrong place

Splash screen , I want the Oregon thread to kick off when the progress bar reaches 10%

Imports System.Threading
Public NotInheritable Class SplashScreen1
	Private Sub splash_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load	
		Timer1.Start()
	End Sub
	Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
		If (Me.ProgressBar1.Value < 100) Then
			Me.ProgressBar1.Value += 1
		Else
			Me.Timer1.Enabled = False
			Me.Hide()
		End If
		If (Me.ProgressBar1.Value = 10) Then
			Dim frm As New frmPortland
		End If
	End Sub
End Class

Below is the frmPortland_loading event which should start in the loading as a seperate background thread while the progress bar is moving

Private Sub frmPortland_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
		Dim oregonThread As New Threading.Thread(AddressOf Me.DownloadPageOregon)
		oregonThread.Start()
		DownloadPageOregon()

		btnMaxMin.BackColor = Color.LightGray
		btnElev.BackColor = Color.LightGray
		btnCurrent.BackColor = Color.LightGray
		btnName.BackColor = Color.LightGray
		btnPrecip.BackColor = Color.LightGray
		Button1.BackColor = Color.LightGray

		Cities(1) = "Baker City"
		Cities(2) = "Corvallis"
		Cities(3) = "Astoria"
		Cities(4) = "Scappoose"
		Cities(5) = "North Bend"
		Cities(6) = "Brookings"
		Cities(7) = "Redmond"
		Cities(8) = "Roseburg"
		Cities(9) = "John Day"
		Cities(10) = "Burns"
		Cities(11) = "Cascade Locks"
		Cities(12) = "Medford"
		Cities(13) = "Sexton Summit"
		Cities(14) = "Klamath Falls"
		Cities(15) = "Lakeview"
		Cities(16) = "Eugene"
		Cities(17) = "Newport"
		Cities(18) = "Ontario"
		Cities(19) = "Rome"
		Cities(20) = "Aurora"
		Cities(21) = "Salem"
		Cities(22) = "Portland Intern"
		Cities(23) = "Portland-Trout"
		Cities(24) = "Tillamook Air"
		Cities(25) = "Hermiston"
		Cities(26) = "Meacham"
		Cities(27) = "Pendleton"
		Cities(28) = "La Grande"
		Cities(29) = "Portland-Hills"
		Cities(30) = "McMinnville"

		'ListView1.Visible = False
		Me.Text = "Multnomah County Round-Up"
		'lblTime.Visible = False
		'DownloadPage()
		' Set to Details view.
		Me.ListView1.View = View.Details
		' Add columns using the ColHeader class. The fourth	
		' parameter specifies true for an ascending sort order.
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Station", 110, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Temp", 45, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("High", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Low", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Chg", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Prec.", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Elev", 40, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))
		ListView1.Columns.Add(New ColHeader("Time", 60, HorizontalAlignment.Center, True))

		Me.Controls.Add(Me.ListView1)

		AddHandler Me.ListView1.ColumnClick, AddressOf ListView1_ColumnClick
		ListView1.BringToFront()
		Dim currenttime As String
		Dim s As String
		Dim t As String
		currenttime = Date.Now.ToString
		t = currenttime.IndexOf("2008")
		s = currenttime.Substring(t + 4, 6)
		s = s.Trim
		If s(4) = ":" Then
			s = currenttime.Substring(t + 4, 5)
			s = s.Trim

		End If
		Dim ampm As String
		ampm = currenttime.Substring(currenttime.Length - 2)

		Dim CPUtime As String
		CPUtime = s & ampm
		txtTime.Text = "Multnomah County observations at " & CPUtime

		' 
		loadgrid()

	End Sub

And here is the delegate sub used

	Delegate Sub dDataReady(ByVal text As String)

	Sub DataReady(ByVal text As String)
		pagestream = text
	End Sub

Here is the DownloadPageOregon Sub()

Sub DownloadPageOregon()

		Dim uri As New Uri("http://www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/raws_ca_monitor.cgi?state=OR&rawsflag=290")
		Dim builder As New StringBuilder

		builder.Append("AbsolutePath: " & uri.AbsolutePath & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("AbsoluteUri: " & uri.AbsoluteUri & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Host: " & uri.Host & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("HostNameType: " & uri.HostNameType.ToString() & _
		vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("LocalPath: " & uri.LocalPath & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("PathAndQuery: " & uri.PathAndQuery & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Port: " & uri.Port & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Query: " & uri.Query & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Scheme: " & uri.Scheme)

		Dim request As WebRequest = WebRequest.Create(uri)

		Dim response As WebResponse = request.GetResponse()

		builder = New StringBuilder

		builder.Append("Request type: " & request.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Response type: " & response.GetType().ToString() & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Content length: " & response.ContentLength & _
		" bytes" & vbCrLf)
		builder.Append("Content type: " & response.ContentType & vbCrLf)

		Dim stream As Stream = response.GetResponseStream()

		Dim reader As New StreamReader(stream)


		' I made a new variable, because it is dangerous to access variables across different threads.
		datatext = reader.ReadToEnd()

		reader.Close()
		stream.Close()
		response.Close()

		'Here we are basically calling DataReady(text)
		'But we have to do this funny stuff because of
		'the requirements of Invoke and BeginInvoke.
		'In my opinion they should build it in the syntax
		Dim arguments(0) As String
		arguments(0) = datatext

		'This line makes the code run in the same thread as Me (which is the Form)
		Me.BeginInvoke(New dDataReady(AddressOf DataReady), arguments)
	End Sub

Not sure whats wrong , maybe you can tell me? thank you

[Nayana]

Hi,

Your problem is right here:

Private Sub frmPortland_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
		Dim oregonThread As New Threading.Thread(AddressOf Me.DownloadPageOregon)
		oregonThread.Start()
		DownloadPageOregon()  ' <----- delete

You don't need that last line, because, oregonThread.Start() already starts the download. So the program is actually downloading the information twice.

[Schmit38]

I had a feeling that you would say that.

If I remove that line then I get a null reference exception when I try to access the data.

	  oregonThread.Start() 

This code by itself is not starting the DownloadPageOregon Sub.

Maybe the invoke is in the wrong spot?

Why is this so hard?

[Nayana]

Because you're trying to access the data before the thread finishes.

Do not access the data until, you reach this point:

	Sub DataReady(ByVal text As String)
		pagestream = text
	End Sub

This post has been edited by Nayana: 31 January 2008 - 07:09 PM