HashTable vs Jagged Array

[NeuralJack]

[PLAIN]HashTable vs Jagged Array for an array of arrays[vb.net][/PLAIN]

 

I have a custom class which holds about 8 different variables of differing types. I need to create various Arrays of those classes... but i'd also like to sort all of those arrays for easier programming by enumerating those arrays.

Is Hashtable a low-system resource thing or what? I'd like to simply use a jagged array but the documentation says they're not CLS compliant.

 

I'm wondering what the best solution to this is, performance is probably an issue.

Is there a simple way to enumerate class arrays?

Edited August 11, 2006 by NeuralJack

[PlausiblyDamp]

As you are using .Net 2 then you might want to investigate generics as an alternative to both arrays / HashTables.

[NeuralJack]

Thanks PD , the generic class "List" seems to be perfect.

 

As you are using .Net 2 then you might want to investigate generics as an alternative to both arrays / HashTables.

[NeuralJack]

Actually, I spoke too soon. I'm having the same problem figuring out how to declare and initialize an array of an array with List as I am with other types of arrays. Any help with the syntax would be appreciated.

Lets say I need an array of an array of this class:

Public Class AnyClass
Public int1 As Integer = 0
Public int2 As Integer = 1
Public str1 As String = String.Empty
Public str2 As String = String.Empty
End Class

 

This has evolved mainly into a syntax question , i think. Eventually I want to be able to access one of the entries like:

Integer2 = ArrayOfArrays(1)(1).int2

 

Lets say I want to make 2 different Array of Arrays We'll name them ArrayOfArraysOne And ArrayOfArraysTwo. In ArrayOfArraysOne I want 5 different Arrays of the class AnyClass. Lets say the subarrays in that array need 5, 3, 3, 4, 5 elements in each of those subarrays.

 

In ArrayOfArraysTwo I want 10 different Arrays of the class AnyClass.Lets say the subarrays in that array need 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 elements in each of those subarrays.

 

I'd, ideally, like to use the List object from System.Collections.Generic.. which doesnt look all that different to implement than other arrays.

[NeuralJack]

Ok, i've figured this out after lots o trial and error. To create an array of arrays with the generic List obect do this. The array will be an array of arrays of the class 'AnyClass'.

 

 

 

'The Class:
Public Class AnyClass
Public int1 As Integer = 0
Public int2 As Integer = 1
Public str1 As String = String.Empty
Public str2 As String = String.Empty
End Class 



'To Declare:
Public ArrayOfArrays As List(Of List(Of AnyClass)) = New List(Of List(Of AnyClass))(2)  

'To Initialize:
For i As Integer = 0 To 1  'Add 2 Subarrays to ArrayOfArrays
ArrayOfArrays.Add(New List(Of AnyClass))
Next
       	    
For j As Integer = 0 To 4   'Add 5 elements to the first subarray of ArrayOfArrays
ArrayOfArrays(0).Add(New AnyClass)
Next

For j As Integer = 0 To 9   'Add 10 elements to the second subarray of ArrayOfArrays
ArrayOfArrays(1).Add(New AnyClass)
Next

'To Use:
ArrayOfArrays(0)(0).str1 = "Hello World"
Debug.WriteLine(ArrayOfArrays(0)(0).str1)