Comparing 3 values

I did read the forums but I didn't quite find anything that was dumbed down enough for me being new to VB and all.

I have a simple question:

If I wanted to write a program that compared 3 numeric values and placed them in sequence from 1st to 3rd place how would I do that? Could anyone give me a template or somewhere to start?

Keep in mind that in my introductory class all I have to work with here is logical operators, relational operators, and select case. I haven't studied arrays or sorting at this point.

Bottom line I was told to write a program for class that involves a race. Three individuals times are put into the form in seconds and I calculate the first, second, and third place. I started out doing the following:

VB Code:

If var1 < var2 And var1 < var3 then
 If var2 < var3 then
txt1st = var1 
txt2nd = var2 
txt3rd =var3

Realizing that I would have to do this 27 times I figured there would HAVE to be an easier even beginner way to accomplish this task. Can any of you great indivduals help me out?

You could make 3 seperate functions that take in 3 different parameters. Have one that returns the min value of the 3, have one that returns the middle value, and one that returns the max value.

I am kind of following what your saying but not quite could you provide me with an example?

Coded that is so I gather an idea what what your working with.

Maybe you could use an ArrayList. add the values as integers and call the sort() method. Next you could loop through the array and retreive the values and place them in the textboxes...

Quote:

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Keep in mind that in my introductory class all I have to work with here is logical operators, relational operators, and select case. I haven't studied arrays or sorting at this point.

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Would be the nicest way to do it though.

its really pretty simple. You don't even need an array list, standard arrays can be sorted.

This subroutine would sort values.

VB Code:

Public Sub OrderValues(ByRef Values() As Integer)
        Array.Sort(Values)
    End Sub

this is code to show an example of that routine

VB Code:

Dim MyValues() As Integer = {70, 5, 13, 54}
        For Each I As Integer In MyValues
            MessageBox.Show(I.ToString)
        Next
        OrderValues(MyValues)
        For Each I As Integer In MyValues
            MessageBox.Show(I.ToString)
        Next

well kinda a pain to not being be able to use arrays for sorting. have you learn how to use do or for loops? If so I can help you get started.

kleinma he hasn't learned how to use arrays yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by high6

well kinda a pain to not being be able to use arrays for sorting. have you learn how to use do or for loops? If so I can help you get started.

kleinma he hasn't learned how to use arrays yet.

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They're extremely simple. Much more simple than creating a convaluded for/next loop, especially if you have several numbers to sort.

An array is the easiest, shortest way. And besides, he really SHOULD learn to learn how to use arrays at SOME point, the earlier the better. They're extremely useful.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by high6

kleinma he hasn't learned how to use arrays yet.

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he has now, hasn't he?? ;)

You could do it without arrays (since you are adamant about not using them :) ), with a little more code... I believe the below code loops for a maximum of three times, depending on the initial order of the variables...

VB Code:

Dim Value1 As Integer = 1000
        Dim Value2 As Integer = 100
        Dim Value3 As Integer = 10
        DoSort(Value1, Value2, Value3)
        Dim Counter As Integer = 0 'counter just to see how many times it loops
        Do Until Value1 < Value2 AndAlso Value2 < Value3
            If Value1 > Value2 Then
                'switch em
                Dim Temp As Integer = Value2
                Value2 = Value1
                Value1 = Temp
            Else
                If Value2 > Value3 Then
                   'switch em
                    Dim Temp As Integer = Value3
                    Value3 = Value2
                    Value2 = Temp
                End If
            End If
            Counter += 1
        Loop
        'From Lowest To Highest
        MessageBox.Show(Value1.ToString & ", " & _
                        Value2.ToString & ", " & _
                        Value3.ToString & ", loop count: " & _
                        Counter.ToString)

Seems like a lot of code, but it really doesn't loop much at all...