dynamic string array

hi all
i want to create dynamic string array for example
dim name() as string
names is a global array

in other function i want to initiate the array with the Directory.Getfiles method which returns me string array. how can i do that???
i was told to use collection???
i dont know the collection object - can someone guide me???

mabe to declare

dim names() as new collection
.
.
.

names.add(Directory.Getfiles(strPath, "*.gif"))
..
but this does not work to me

keep ur name() variable Public or Friend so that all classes can access it.

suppose ur name() variable is in Module1 then

Module1.name = Directory.Getfiles()

If in Form1 then

Form1.name = Directory.Getfiles()

hope it works

First of all would you rather use a collection or a String Array?

VB Code:

'string array sample
 
Dim strFiles() as String
 
'For example we will fill strFiles() in the forms' load event
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
 
        strFiles = IO.Directory.GetFiles("c:", "*.*")
 
        'Lets Display the list of files for fun....
 
        For I As Integer = 0 To strFiles.GetUpperBound(0)
            MsgBox(strFiles(I))
        Next
 
    End Sub

VB Code:

'Example using a collection...
 
Dim colFiles as New Collection
 
'Again we will use the form load event...
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
 
        x = New Collection ' remove all previous data (really not needed here)
 
        Dim strFiles() As String = IO.Directory.GetFiles("c:\", "*.*")
 
        For I As Integer = 0 To strFiles.GetUpperBound(0)
            x.Add(strFiles(I))
        Next
 
        'now read the files from the collection
 
        For y As Integer = 1 To x.Count
            MsgBox(CType(x.Item(y), String))
        Next
 
 
    End Sub

The reason why your collection wasnt working was because when you called Names.Add you passed the the string array
so the whole array was stored as one Item in the collection

~abx

thanks thanks thanks - thats really helped me~~~~!!!

how can i iterate with the "for each" statemant in the array??

you can only do that with collections

for example this code would replace the "For y as Integer ..." in my sample above

VB Code:

For Each obj As Object In x
            MsgBox(CType(obj, String))
        Next

or you could be explicit

VB Code:

For Each str As String In x
            MsgBox(str)
        Next

thanks alllllllooooooooot!