Extracting Data from encrypted, multi-level datafiles?

[matt09524]

To help me streamline this project I am working on, I need to solicite opinion. Without being too specific, I am working on a program that will essentially, when tasked, pull a LOT of information and display it for dissemination.

 

My questions are as follows:

 

1. What is the best way to store this information so that when the user clicks a button or link on the app, it will go to a file, pull ONLY that information the user wants (look below) and display it on a single form. The data base should look like

 

----------(datafile 1, record 1)

worda, wordb, wordc, wordd

 

worde, wordf, wordg

 

paraa

parab

parac

parad

parae

 

-----------(datafile 1 record 2)

 

repeat above.

 

I basically need a data file that will have, say, 10 blocks of large bits of information. In each block, I will need, say, 10 smallers bits of information and at most 10 block of larger information (paragraph size each).

 

Would that be like having it load a data file, and having the file act like an array? example:

 

Dim leadup(0, 0) = 1861
Dim leadup(0, 1) = 1862
Dim leadupnames(1, 0) = John Smith
Dim leadupnames(1, 1) = Anne Smith

 

...and so on? if I could create a seperate file that could declare these arrays, then I could use each sub to call each appropriate array into the next form. Using the same form for each selected item instead of using multiple forms.

 

also, for this data file, could the actual plain english inside the data file be encrypted as to prevent user modification?

 

Last question, I have already designed the form that would display all this information when pulled. Can this information be pulled from the use of applied buttons/linklabels in VB .net via the toolbox in the design editor?

 

edit: is it really an option to create class files, assign DIM varibales in each class that I need (im under the impression that a DIMed variable can be of any length and contain any characters (cha, num and special)) and call that class when the control is activated? Will those class files be compiled into the executable along with the main program?

 

Also, will using Excel or Access be an option here?

 

You see why I am at a loss. I have never done such an extreme database before, and I don't want the executable to be huge, use up too much memory (for the type of app it is) or bear too much of a load.

Edited September 17, 2005 by matt09524