Finding and Swapping text in URL

[neodammer]

Here is a question that bugs me because as easy as it seems in virtualy every text program I dont believe there is a simple VB.net command for "find this text" and "replace it with this text". or is there? For example I want to take this string "Hello the # 24 test in running" and upon the click of a button swap out the 24 for say 25.. is this easier than it sounds?

[Denaes]

[/color][/size]
[size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] myString [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]String[/color][/size][size=2] = "Stuff"
myString.Replace(OldText, NewText)

 

So you might have it say "Hello, this is button btnNumber."

 

and use myString.Replace("btnNumber", strButtonNumber)

[Arch4ngel]

You might also take a look at RegularExpression. It's a bit hard to learn at first ... but it worth the work. It can make validation, replacement and a lot of string operation.

[Ontani]

Here is a question that bugs me because as easy as it seems in virtualy every text program I dont believe there is a simple VB.net command for "find this text" and "replace it with this text". or is there? For example I want to take this string "Hello the # 24 test in running" and upon the click of a button swap out the 24 for say 25.. is this easier than it sounds?

 

Try This

 

Dim oldNumber As Integer = 24
Dim newNumber As Integer = 25
Dim oldString As String = "Hello the # " & oldNumber & " test in running"
Dim newString As String = Replace(oldString, oldNumber, newNumber)
TextBox1.Text = newString

 

Greetz

[Denaes]

Try This

 

Dim oldNumber As Integer = 24
Dim newNumber As Integer = 25
Dim oldString As String = "Hello the # " & oldNumber & " test in running"
Dim newString As String = Replace(oldString, oldNumber, newNumber)
TextBox1.Text = newString

 

Greetz

Those are poor programming habbits that can result in errors down the line.

 

Always insure that Option Strict is turned on (it's in your project properties).

 

This won't allow to use an integer as a string.

 

your code would then look like this:

 

Dim oldNumber As Integer = 24
Dim newNumber As Integer = 25
Dim oldString As String = "Hello the # " & oldNumber.toString() & " test in running"
Dim newString As String = Replace(oldString, oldNumber.toString(), newNumber.toString())
TextBox1.Text = newString

 

Next, the method I used above (String.Replace())is the .Net method. I'm not sure what Replace is, probobly a VB compatability wrapper.

 

doing this the .net way like you did would be like this:

 

Dim oldNumber As Integer = 24
Dim newNumber As Integer = 25
Dim oldString As String = "Hello the # " & oldNumber.toString() & " test in running"
Dim newString As String = oldString.Replace(oldNumber.toString(), newNumber.toString())
TextBox1.Text = newString

 

Not trying to be mean, just don't want to pass around sloppy habbits like not using Option Strict. If you don't use it, a compile error will never appear and down the road - especially on a more complex project - errors can be introduced. I think Int -> Strings are always ok, but there are other conversions that VB will "let you get away with" that can cause a LOT of problems.

[Ontani]

hey so when i enable this option what does it do?

 

i'm a realy newby on programming and have never realy used the toString() function i'm more someone that programs for fun and just dimension all as strings :)

 

never learn to program like in lessons. learned myself everything

 

Greetz

[neodammer]

Thanks, my goal is to be able to just click a button and it will increase the # of whatever I choose in the string. I do have one off topic question which is probably too simple to start a thread over: Do I need to run a shell command or is there something built into the webbrowser control that will just open up IE in a new window with an attached string url?

[Denaes]

hey so when i enable this option what does it do?

 

i'm a realy newby on programming and have never realy used the toString() function i'm more someone that programs for fun and just dimension all as strings :)

 

never learn to program like in lessons. learned myself everything

 

Greetz

The only beef I have with VB is that it lets you convert things (string to int, int to string, long to int, etc) automatically.

 

If you put Option Strict = On, it won't let you do this automatically.

 

Like you did, you had 3 arguments (String, String, String) and you passed in (String, Integer, Integer). That isn't allowed in most other programming languages and won't be allowed if you turn Option Strict On.

 

But Integers and Strings are pretty straight forward.

 

an int, ie a whole number, should always have a string equivilent. 19 = "19" right? how about the opposite?

 

[size=2][/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] strNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]String[/color][/size][size=2] = "19"
[/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] intNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Integer[/color][/size][size=2] = strNumber

[/size]

With Option Strict Off, this is allowed and works. 19 can become an integer with no problem.

So what's the big deal?

Something goes funny in your math and this is what you end up with:

 

[size=2][/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] strNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]String[/color][/size][size=2] = "19.5"

[/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] intNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Integer[/color][/size][size=2] = strNumber

MessageBox.Show(intNumber)

[/size]

I added the messagebox to show what intNumber is.

So what do you think the messagebox would say?

20. It rounded it up for you. If you needed 19.5, you just corrupted your data.

How about if your string gets messed up with a REAL string?

[/size]
[size=2][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] strNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]String[/color][/size][size=2] = "pie"

[/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] intNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Integer[/color][/size][size=2] = strNumber

MessageBox.Show(intNumber)

[/size][/size][size=2]

This throws an exception and crashes your program. You can't convert "Pie" to an integer. Well actually you could if you wanted to, but VB can't. You could choose to get the ASCII values of each letter and add them together or have it as a code. But YOU have to do it. Can't trust VB to do it.

Lets try with two numbers:

[/size]
[size=2][size=2][/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] lngNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Long[/color][/size][size=2] = 28.99

[/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Dim[/color][/size][size=2] intNumber [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]As[/color][/size][size=2] [/size][size=2][color=#0000ff]Integer[/color][/size][size=2] = lngNumber

MessageBox.Show(intNumber)

[/size][/size][size=2]

I bet you can guess what might pop up. Yep, it rounded up again.

Now if you're moving numbers back and forth, dividing them then rounding up, then dividing again and you'll be REALLY far off.

Can you get away without Option Strict? Yeah, if you know your types and which datatypes convert without a hitch. But it's a better habbit to throw Option Strict on, just in case.

What happens if you make strName into a long (say it's a database app and instead of the name, you're now referencing the index of the name). strName looks like a string still, but it's not. I'd rather have VB throw a compile error saying "Hey wait, you're trying to use a Long as a string" then to find out 2 weeks down the line and scratch my head trying to figure it out. :D

In this I speak from experience. about 11 forms, 5 classes and 2 databases into an app I realized my problem and turned Option Strict On. I spent 4 hours fixing errors. I think I had like 130 type errors :)

[Denaes]

Thanks' date=' my goal is to be able to just click a button and it will increase the # of whatever I choose in the string. I do have one off topic question which is probably too simple to start a thread over: Do I need to run a shell command or is there something built into the webbrowser control that will just open up IE in a new window with an attached string url?[/quote']

[size=2]System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE", [url="http://www.aol.com/"]www.aol.com[/url])

 

stupid forum :P

 

the link www.aol.com isn't supposed to be a naked link but "ww.aol.com" - a string inside of quotes... but of course with 3 w's, not 2.

 

That's System.Diagnostics.Proscess.Start(ApplicationPathAndName as String, Arguments as String).

 

In this case I provided the path for Internet Explorer (on XP home) and the argument was the webpage.

[/size]

[Nerseus]

Also note that the Replace method only returns the modified string, it does not update the original. So the following will NOT work:

Dim myString AsString = "Stuff"
myString.Replace(OldText, NewText)

 

You should do this instead:

Dim myString AsString = "Stuff"
myString = myString.Replace(OldText, NewText)

 

-ner

[Denaes]

Also note that the Replace method only returns the modified string, it does not update the original. So the following will NOT work:

Dim myString AsString = "Stuff"
myString.Replace(OldText, NewText)

 

You should do this instead:

Dim myString AsString = "Stuff"
myString = myString.Replace(OldText, NewText)

 

-ner

Whoops, left that part out. I was using it like that so that "btnNumber" or whatever would always be replaced. I forgot the string on the other side of the equation. sorry.:o

[neodammer]

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

 

#Region " Windows Form Designer generated code "

 

Public Sub New()

MyBase.New()

 

'This call is required by the Windows Form Designer.

InitializeComponent()

 

'Add any initialization after the InitializeComponent() call

 

End Sub

 

'Form overrides dispose to clean up the component list.

Protected Overloads Overrides Sub Dispose(ByVal disposing As Boolean)

If disposing Then

If Not (components Is Nothing) Then

components.Dispose()

End If

End If

MyBase.Dispose(disposing)

End Sub

 

'Required by the Windows Form Designer

Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer

 

'NOTE: The following procedure is required by the Windows Form Designer

'It can be modified using the Windows Form Designer.

'Do not modify it using the code editor.

Friend WithEvents TextBox1 As System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Friend WithEvents Button1 As System.Windows.Forms.Button

Friend WithEvents Button2 As System.Windows.Forms.Button

Friend WithEvents Button3 As System.Windows.Forms.Button

Friend WithEvents TextBox2 As System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Friend WithEvents Button4 As System.Windows.Forms.Button

Friend WithEvents AxWebBrowser1 As AxSHDocVw.AxWebBrowser

<System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> Private Sub InitializeComponent()

Dim resources As System.Resources.ResourceManager = New System.Resources.ResourceManager(GetType(Form1))

Me.TextBox1 = New System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Me.Button1 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button

Me.Button2 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button

Me.Button3 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button

Me.TextBox2 = New System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Me.Button4 = New System.Windows.Forms.Button

Me.AxWebBrowser1 = New AxSHDocVw.AxWebBrowser

CType(Me.AxWebBrowser1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()

Me.SuspendLayout()

'

'TextBox1

'

Me.TextBox1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(64, 8)

Me.TextBox1.Name = "TextBox1"

Me.TextBox1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(248, 20)

Me.TextBox1.TabIndex = 0

Me.TextBox1.Text = "TYPE URL IN HERE"

'

'Button1

'

Me.Button1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(56, 96)

Me.Button1.Name = "Button1"

Me.Button1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(104, 32)

Me.Button1.TabIndex = 1

Me.Button1.Text = "+ #"

'

'Button2

'

Me.Button2.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(176, 96)

Me.Button2.Name = "Button2"

Me.Button2.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(104, 32)

Me.Button2.TabIndex = 2

Me.Button2.Text = "- #"

'

'Button3

'

Me.Button3.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(296, 96)

Me.Button3.Name = "Button3"

Me.Button3.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(104, 32)

Me.Button3.TabIndex = 3

Me.Button3.Text = "Clear"

'

'TextBox2

'

Me.TextBox2.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(144, 40)

Me.TextBox2.Name = "TextBox2"

Me.TextBox2.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(96, 20)

Me.TextBox2.TabIndex = 4

Me.TextBox2.Text = "# to change here"

'

'Button4

'

Me.Button4.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(64, 40)

Me.Button4.Name = "Button4"

Me.Button4.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(72, 24)

Me.Button4.TabIndex = 5

Me.Button4.Text = "Set #"

'

'AxWebBrowser1

'

Me.AxWebBrowser1.Enabled = True

Me.AxWebBrowser1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(16, 152)

Me.AxWebBrowser1.OcxState = CType(resources.GetObject("AxWebBrowser1.OcxState"), System.Windows.Forms.AxHost.State)

Me.AxWebBrowser1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(416, 288)

Me.AxWebBrowser1.TabIndex = 6

'

'Form1

'

Me.AutoScaleBaseSize = New System.Drawing.Size(5, 13)

Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(456, 469)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.AxWebBrowser1)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.Button4)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.TextBox2)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.Button3)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.Button2)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.Button1)

Me.Controls.Add(Me.TextBox1)

Me.Name = "Form1"

Me.Text = "Form1"

CType(Me.AxWebBrowser1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()

Me.ResumeLayout(False)

 

End Sub

 

#End Region

Private oldNumber As Integer

Private newNumber As Integer

Private urls As String

 

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

urls = TextBox1.Text

newNumber = oldNumber + 1

urls.Replace(oldNumber, newNumber)

TextBox1.Text = urls

AxWebBrowser1.Navigate(urls)

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button4_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

oldNumber = TextBox2.Text

Button4.Enabled() = False

 

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click

urls = TextBox1.Text

newNumber = oldNumber - 1

urls.Replace(oldNumber, newNumber)

TextBox1.Text = urls

AxWebBrowser1.Navigate(urls)

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button3_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button3.Click

urls = ""

TextBox1.Text = ""

TextBox2.Text = ""

newNumber = 0

oldNumber = 0

Button4.Enabled() = True

 

End Sub

End Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see im trying to take a typed in URL and then the user tells the program what # inside the URL to either add 1 or subtract 1 to then execute that new one in the browser. Any suggestions why its not working? lol ill attach the project.

Webapp.zip

[Denaes]

As you can see im trying to take a typed in URL and then the user tells the program what # inside the URL to either add 1 or subtract 1 to then execute that new one in the browser. Any suggestions why its not working? lol ill attach the project.

When you have this much code, don't post what is in the Windows Form Designers Region, or anything else like that.

 

First off I fixed some of the problems. I turned Option Strict on, fixed the Types.

 

I have no clue what you're trying to do with the #.

 

I put in www.aol.com and 1 into # and hit add number and nothing. I clicked the # + or # - and it loaded AOL. I did the same for Yahoo and #2 and yahoo came up.

 

I don't see what the app is supposed to do really.

 

Is this like making a "favorites"? what if I put in "Pie" or "Turkey" into the textbox. Are you allowing for that?

 

How about if I add one site and type in 4 and another site and type in 500. Whats that do?

[neodammer]

I figured it out lol..

[Denaes]

I figured it out lol..

I have it where if I type a number in the address and in the box it incriments it.

 

Example:

 

www3.yahoo.com

 

Number I type in: 3

 

I can increase this to www4.yahoo.com or lower it to www2.yahoo.com

 

also if you have w3w3w3.ya3hoo3.com and incriment it, it becomes:

 

w4w4w4.ya4hoo4.com

 

is this what you're trying to do?

[neodammer]

Yeah but here is my current dilema: using this code

 

 

 

Private oldNumber As Integer

Private newNumber As Integer

Private urls As String

 

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

urls = TextBox1.Text

newNumber = oldNumber + 1

 

urls = urls.Replace(oldNumber, newNumber)

oldNumber = oldNumber + 1

TextBox1.Text = urls

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE", urls)

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button4_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

oldNumber = TextBox2.Text

Button4.Enabled() = False

 

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click

urls = TextBox1.Text

newNumber = oldNumber - 1

 

urls = urls.Replace(oldNumber, newNumber)

oldNumber = oldNumber - 1

TextBox1.Text = urls

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE", urls)

End Sub

 

Private Sub Button3_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button3.Click

urls = ""

TextBox1.Text = ""

TextBox2.Text = ""

newNumber = 0

oldNumber = 0

Button4.Enabled() = True

 

End Sub

 

 

if the url has something like 0002 in it... I cant really say 00 in the box..because by default VB takes out the extra zero's and if i hit + it was just end up 3 not 0003 which is an invalid page.. of course another bug is what you stated.. im hoping the url's only have that exact # once in the url if there is more like www3.yah3.com im in trouble lol