[2005] Reading Bits in a Byte Array

[Daystar]

Okay here is the problem, I want to read a Base64 Encoded Message. Which can be converted back to a Byte Array. But I need to read the bits in specific positions to retrieve the information. In VB.Net is this possible or does the program need to be written in C# or C++?

I am using the following count to return the bit value

  Public Function GetBits(byVal [Byte] as Byte, OffSet as Integer, Count as Integer) As Integer
   Return ([Byte] >> Offset) + ((1 << Count) - 1)
 End Function

The following should return the bit count that needs to be read for the total bits used to encode the profession in the string.

  bits_per_profession = code * 2 + 4

Since they say it should be stored in the second byte since the first 8 bits are set aside for version information I am doing the following.

  dim cBits as Integer = GetBits([ByteArray](2), 0, 2)

It just seems that doesn't return anything useful.