Replace Text

OK... here is what I want to do...

If the user enters some text "abc", I want to have the app replace that text with something else during their data entry..

What I imagine is this:

Private Sub TextBox5_KeyDown(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs) Handles TextBox5.KeyDown

Dim cursorposition As String

Dim currentlinetext As String


If e.KeyCode = Keys.Space Then
cursorposition = TextBox5.SelectionStart()

currentlinetext = TextBox5.Lines(TextBox5.GetLineFromCharIndex(TextBox5.SelectionStart))

TextBox5.Text = TextBox5.Text.Replace(" 2w ", " 2 weeks ")

TextBox5.SelectionStart = cursorposition


However, the function only saves the cursor position from the original text length, so it does not return the cursor to the end of the replaced string.

One more thing... i do not necessarily was the cursor to go to the end of the textbox

Can anyone help???

I'd imagine you would have to reduce or increase the cursor position based on the number of chars you removed or added. You most likely don't want to hard code the number because you will most likely be replacing different strings. So something like.

Dim replace1 as string = " 2w "
Dim replace2 as string = " 2 weeks "

if replace1.length > replace2.length then
cursorposition = cursorposition + (replace1.length - replace2.length)
elseif replace2.length > replace1.length then
cursorposition = cursorposition - (replace2.length - replace1.length)
end if

I have no idea if that code is right, but its just a theory. You also don't have to do anything when they are the same. Hense no else.

hmmm... interesting, i am going to play with that for a minute... thank you for the quick response

I have two concerns:

1. This code will be working on the spacebar keydown event - so it works as the person types

2. I have over 1000 "shortcuts" that will need to be replaced.

or if there is another way to do this -

sort of like ms word macros using an auto-replace

Use Select Case on Text.Chars(Text.Length-2). Then, put all of your shortcuts in Case blocks for replacing text after Text.Length - 2. At the end of all of these blocks, add:

TextBox.Select(Text.Length,0)

Sorry.. I do not follow :(

Will I have to write out each one?

Dim cursorposition As String
Dim cursorposition1 As String

If e.KeyCode = Keys.Space Then

If TextBox5.Text.Contains(" 2w ") Then
cursorposition1 = TextBox5.SelectionStart()
TextBox5.Text = TextBox5.Text.Replace(" 2w ", " 2 weeks")
cursorposition = cursorposition1 + 4
TextBox5.SelectionStart = cursorposition
End If

End If

is there a way to read this information from central source in order to input it? how about a table? so it can pull the shortcut phrase, the replacement text, and the text length to redefine the cursor position?

lets say i type in 2 w and the textbox then displays
2 weeks and then i place the cursor between the w and e of weeks and press space. will i end up with
2 weekseeks
or
2 weeks eeks

i hope you are thinking this all the way through. if it were me i would start by having a second textbox with the decoded result in that.

how would the second textbox work?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dbasnett

lets say i type in 2 w and the textbox then displays
2 weeks and then i place the cursor between the w and e of weeks and press space. will i end up with
2 weekseeks
or
2 weeks eeks

i hope you are thinking this all the way through. if it were me i would start by having a second textbox with the decoded result in that.

---

No, that's not what I meant. I meant do something like this:
(assuming that your textbox is called TextBox1)

vb.net Code:

'When the user presses space or whatever
Dim abbrlen As Integer = 2 'Set this to the length of your abbreviation
Select Case Me.TextBox1.Substring(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length-(abbrlen+1),abbrlen)
        Case "sb"
                Me.TextBox1.Text = Me.TextBox1.Text.Remove(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length-(abbrlen+1),abbrlen)
                Me.TextBox1.Text &= "somebody"
                Me.TextBox1.Select(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length,0)
        'etc.
End Select

You could also use a Sub to do all of this for you, just one line each Case.
You could read from a file, too, using a recursive Sub, but I'll let you figure that one out (unless you're really stuck.)

Enjoy!! (not sure why I said that)
minitech

Me.TextBox1.Select(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length,0)

Was exactly what he was trying to avoid. What if they are typing in the middle of a 3 page essay. That's going to zoom them to the end of their text instead of where they were typing.

I hate to say it but I am really stuck...

will this work for different lengths of shortcuts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minitech

No, that's not what I meant. I meant do something like this:
(assuming that your textbox is called TextBox1)

vb.net Code:

'When the user presses space or whatever
Dim abbrlen As Integer = 2 'Set this to the length of your abbreviation
Select Case Me.TextBox1.Substring(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length-(abbrlen+1),abbrlen)
        Case "sb"
                Me.TextBox1.Text = Me.TextBox1.Text.Remove(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length-(abbrlen+1),abbrlen)
                Me.TextBox1.Text &= "somebody"
                Me.TextBox1.Select(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length,0)
        'etc.
End Select

You could also use a Sub to do all of this for you, just one line each Case.
You could read from a file, too, using a recursive Sub, but I'll let you figure that one out (unless you're really stuck.)

Enjoy!! (not sure why I said that)
minitech

---

yeah, that's where it gets tough...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Darkwanderer

Me.TextBox1.Select(Me.TextBox1.Text.Length,0)

Was exactly what he was trying to avoid. What if they are typing in the middle of a 3 page essay. That's going to zoom them to the end of their text instead of where they were typing.

---

Oh! You're right, my code only works if the user is typing at the end. Ok, then, I'll submit the proper code in a minute.

And yes. To fix all your problems, put my code in a Sub, and call it for each line in a file, with the proper length. But like I said, it only works if the user is typing at the end.

Thanks so much for your help so far..

I should let you know I am getting this error from your previous code

'Substring' is not a member of 'System.Windows.Forms.TextBox'.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minitech

Oh! You're right, my code only works if the user is typing at the end. Ok, then, I'll submit the proper code in a minute.

And yes. To fix all your problems, put my code in a Sub, and call it for each line in a file, with the proper length. But like I said, it only works if the user is typing at the end.

---

Ok, here it is, the working code:

vb.net Code:

Public Class Form1
    Structure Abbr
        Dim Abbreviation As String
        Dim Extended As String
    End Structure
    Dim abbrs As List(Of Abbr) = New List(Of Abbr)
    Private Function GetAbbr(ByVal abbrS As String) As Abbr
        Dim rt As Abbr
        Dim cchr As Char
        Dim i As Integer = 0
        rt.Abbreviation = ""
        While i < abbrS.Length
            cchr = abbrS.Chars(i)
            If cchr = " "c Then
                rt.Extended = abbrS.Substring(i + 1, abbrS.Length)
                If rt.Abbreviation = "" Then Return Nothing
                Return rt
            End If
            rt.Abbreviation &= cchr
            i += 1
        End While
        Return Nothing
    End Function
    Private Sub txtMain_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtMain.TextChanged
        If Me.txtMain.Text.Chars(Me.txtMain.Text.Length - 1) <> " "c Then Exit Sub
        Dim abbr As Abbr
        For Each abbr In abbrs
            ReplaceAbbr(abbr)
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub ReplaceAbbr(ByVal abbr As Abbr)
        Dim original As String = Me.txtMain.Text
        Me.txtMain.Text = Me.txtMain.Text.Replace(abbr.Abbreviation, abbr.Extended)
        If Not (Me.txtMain.Text = original) Then
            Me.txtMain.Select(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + (abbr.Extended.Length - abbr.Abbreviation.Length), 0)
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub LoadData()
        Try
            Dim fi As New IO.FileInfo("abbr_info.dat")
            If Not fi.Exists Then Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException()
            Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat", IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            Dim rf As New IO.StreamReader(fs)
            While rf.Peek() > -1
                Dim tmp As Abbr = GetAbbr(rf.ReadLine())
                If Not Object.Equals(tmp, Nothing) Then
                    abbrs.Add(tmp)
                End If
            End While
            rf.Close()
            fs.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")
        End Try
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        LoadData()
    End Sub
End Class

This is great - how do the strings get saved in the file?

ie. how does it know " acx " = " acromioclavicular "?




QUOTE=minitech;3473993]Ok, here it is, the working code:

vb.net Code:

Public Class Form1
    Structure Abbr
        Dim Abbreviation As String
        Dim Extended As String
    End Structure
    Dim abbrs As List(Of Abbr) = New List(Of Abbr)
    Private Function GetAbbr(ByVal abbrS As String) As Abbr
        Dim rt As Abbr
        Dim cchr As Char
        Dim i As Integer = 0
        rt.Abbreviation = ""
        While i < abbrS.Length
            cchr = abbrS.Chars(i)
            If cchr = " "c Then
                rt.Extended = abbrS.Substring(i + 1, abbrS.Length)
                If rt.Abbreviation = "" Then Return Nothing
                Return rt
            End If
            rt.Abbreviation &= cchr
            i += 1
        End While
        Return Nothing
    End Function
    Private Sub txtMain_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtMain.TextChanged
        If Me.txtMain.Text.Chars(Me.txtMain.Text.Length - 1) <> " "c Then Exit Sub
        Dim abbr As Abbr
        For Each abbr In abbrs
            ReplaceAbbr(abbr)
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub ReplaceAbbr(ByVal abbr As Abbr)
        Dim original As String = Me.txtMain.Text
        Me.txtMain.Text = Me.txtMain.Text.Replace(abbr.Abbreviation, abbr.Extended)
        If Not (Me.txtMain.Text = original) Then
            Me.txtMain.Select(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + (abbr.Extended.Length - abbr.Abbreviation.Length), 0)
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub LoadData()
        Try
            Dim fi As New IO.FileInfo("abbr_info.dat")
            If Not fi.Exists Then Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException()
            Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat", IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            Dim rf As New IO.StreamReader(fs)
            While rf.Peek() > -1
                Dim tmp As Abbr = GetAbbr(rf.ReadLine())
                If Not Object.Equals(tmp, Nothing) Then
                    abbrs.Add(tmp)
                End If
            End While
            rf.Close()
            fs.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")
        End Try
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        LoadData()
    End Sub
End Class

[/QUOTE]

And a line-by-line:

vb.net Code:

Public Class Form1 'The class
    Structure Abbr 'A structure, used to hold one abbreviation
        Dim Abbreviation As String
        Dim Extended As String
    End Structure
    Dim abbrs As List(Of Abbr) = New List(Of Abbr) 'A list of Abbr structures that holds all abbreviations
    Private Function GetAbbr(ByVal abbrS As String) As Abbr 'Retrieves an Abbr object from a string by splitting it
        Dim rt As Abbr 'The ReTurn value (an abbreviation object)
        Dim cchr As Char 'Current CHaRacter
        Dim i As Integer = 0 'Current Index
        rt.Abbreviation = "" 'Set the abbreviation to "", just in case something goes wrong
        While i < abbrS.Length 'While loop, loops through all chars inside passed string
            cchr = abbrS.Chars(i) 'set current char
            If cchr = " "c Then 'If it's a space...
                rt.Extended = abbrS.Substring(i + 1, abbrS.Length) 'Set the extended version to the rest of the string
                If rt.Abbreviation = "" Then Return Nothing 'If the space is the first char, return nothing
                Return rt 'otherwise, return the completed abbreviation.
            End If
            rt.Abbreviation &= cchr 'add the cchr to the current abbreviation
            i += 1 'increment i
        End While
        Return Nothing 'If there was no space, return Nothing (it's the error value)
    End Function
    Private Sub txtMain_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtMain.TextChanged
        'Text changed
        If Me.txtMain.Text.Chars(Me.txtMain.Text.Length - 1) <> " "c Then Exit Sub 'If they didn't just type a space, exit.
        Dim abbr As Abbr 'Create another abbr object
        For Each abbr In abbrs 'For Each loop; get all abbreviations in the list
            ReplaceAbbr(abbr) 'Call ReplaceAbbr sub to replace the abbreviation with the extended version.
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub ReplaceAbbr(ByVal abbr As Abbr)
        Dim original As String = Me.txtMain.Text 'The original
        Me.txtMain.Text = Me.txtMain.Text.Replace(abbr.Abbreviation, abbr.Extended) 'Replace all abbreviations
        If Not (Me.txtMain.Text = original) Then 'If they're different then select the end of it
            Me.txtMain.Select(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + (abbr.Extended.Length - abbr.Abbreviation.Length), 0)
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub LoadData()
        Try
            Dim fi As New IO.FileInfo("abbr_info.dat")
            If Not fi.Exists Then Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException() 'If it doesn't exist, tell the user.
            Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat", IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read) 'Create a file stream for reading
            Dim rf As New IO.StreamReader(fs) 'set up an object to read from that stream
            While rf.Peek() > -1 'While there's still text in the file
                Dim tmp As Abbr = GetAbbr(rf.ReadLine()) 'Get the abbreviation
                If Not Object.Equals(tmp, Nothing) Then 'If there wasn't an error...
                    abbrs.Add(tmp) 'add the abbreviation to the list.
                End If
            End While
            rf.Close() 'Close the streams
            fs.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception 'If there was an error.
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")
        End Try
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        LoadData() 'Load the data
    End Sub
End Class

Oh, and I just realized... if they're in the middle of the text, then it doesn't register a space. Just change the sub to handle a KeyPress, then execute the instructions if it was a space. :D

Hope this helped!!!

___________________________________
MINITECH, Beginning VB Programmer
Remember to rate helpful posts.

And for your last question...
If you don't want to type it out :D,use a FileStream with mode set to "Append" with a StreamWriter, like this:

Code:

---

Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat",IO.FileMode.Append,IO.FileAccess.Write)
Dim sw As New IO.StreamWriter(fs)
sw.WriteLine()
sw.Write(abbreviation & " ")
sw.Write(extended)
sw.Close()
fs.Close()

---

Attached is an example file. (ext. is .txt, change to .dat.)

so the structure of the .dat file is parsed with a , or tab or space?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minitech

And for your last question...
If you don't want to type it out :D,use a FileStream with mode set to "Append" with a StreamWriter, like this:

Code:

---

Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat",IO.FileMode.Append,IO.FileAccess.Write)
Dim sw As New IO.StreamWriter(fs)
sw.WriteLine()
sw.Write(abbreviation & " ")
sw.Write(extended)
sw.Close()
fs.Close()

---

---

No, look at my attachment on my last post (just edited at the same time as you posted.)
It can only be separated with a space.

Hmm. Error - Index and length must refer to a location within the string. Parameter name: Length

Did you come across that one?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minitech

No, look at my attachment on my last post (just edited at the same time as you posted.)
It can only be separated with a space.

---

I am at a loss right now, maybe I will come back later with fresh eyes and see if it will work - thanks for all of your help and effort. it is truly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cmalloy

Hmm. Error - Index and length must refer to a location within the string. Parameter name: Length

Did you come across that one?

---

Sorry, I've got some updated code that fixes that error. (It also fixes another one.)

vb.net Code:

Public Class Form1
    Structure Abbr
        Dim Abbreviation As String
        Dim Extended As String
    End Structure
    Dim abbrs As List(Of Abbr) = New List(Of Abbr)
    Private Function GetAbbr(ByVal abbrS As String) As Abbr
        Dim rt As Abbr
        Dim cchr As Char
        Dim i As Integer = 0
        rt.Abbreviation = ""
        While i < abbrS.Length
            cchr = abbrS.Chars(i)
            If cchr = " "c Then
                rt.Extended = abbrS.Substring(i + 1, abbrS.Length - (i + 1))
                If rt.Abbreviation = "" Then Return Nothing
                Return rt
            End If
            rt.Abbreviation &= cchr
            i += 1
        End While
        Return Nothing
    End Function
    Private Sub txtMain_KeyPress(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As KeyPressEventArgs) Handles txtMain.KeyPress
        If e.KeyChar <> " "c Then Exit Sub
        Dim abbr As Abbr
        For Each abbr In abbrs
            ReplaceAbbr(abbr)
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub ReplaceAbbr(ByVal abbr As Abbr)
        Dim original As String = Me.txtMain.Text
        Me.txtMain.Text = Me.txtMain.Text.Replace(abbr.Abbreviation, abbr.Extended)
        If Not (Me.txtMain.Text = original) Then
            Me.txtMain.Select(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + abbr.Extended.Length + IIf(Me.txtMain.Text.Chars(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + abbr.Extended.Length) = " "c, 1, 0), 0)
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub LoadData()
        Try
            Dim fi As New IO.FileInfo("abbr_info.dat")
            If Not fi.Exists Then Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException()
            Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat", IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            Dim rf As New IO.StreamReader(fs)
            While rf.Peek() > -1
                Dim tmp As Abbr = GetAbbr(rf.ReadLine())
                If Not Object.Equals(tmp, Nothing) Then
                    abbrs.Add(tmp)
                End If
            End While
            rf.Close()
            fs.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")
        End Try
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        LoadData()
    End Sub
End Class

Works like a charm! Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by minitech

Sorry, I've got some updated code that fixes that error. (It also fixes another one.)

vb.net Code:

Public Class Form1
    Structure Abbr
        Dim Abbreviation As String
        Dim Extended As String
    End Structure
    Dim abbrs As List(Of Abbr) = New List(Of Abbr)
    Private Function GetAbbr(ByVal abbrS As String) As Abbr
        Dim rt As Abbr
        Dim cchr As Char
        Dim i As Integer = 0
        rt.Abbreviation = ""
        While i < abbrS.Length
            cchr = abbrS.Chars(i)
            If cchr = " "c Then
                rt.Extended = abbrS.Substring(i + 1, abbrS.Length - (i + 1))
                If rt.Abbreviation = "" Then Return Nothing
                Return rt
            End If
            rt.Abbreviation &= cchr
            i += 1
        End While
        Return Nothing
    End Function
    Private Sub txtMain_KeyPress(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As KeyPressEventArgs) Handles txtMain.KeyPress
        If e.KeyChar <> " "c Then Exit Sub
        Dim abbr As Abbr
        For Each abbr In abbrs
            ReplaceAbbr(abbr)
        Next
    End Sub
    Private Sub ReplaceAbbr(ByVal abbr As Abbr)
        Dim original As String = Me.txtMain.Text
        Me.txtMain.Text = Me.txtMain.Text.Replace(abbr.Abbreviation, abbr.Extended)
        If Not (Me.txtMain.Text = original) Then
            Me.txtMain.Select(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + abbr.Extended.Length + IIf(Me.txtMain.Text.Chars(original.LastIndexOf(abbr.Abbreviation) + abbr.Extended.Length) = " "c, 1, 0), 0)
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub LoadData()
        Try
            Dim fi As New IO.FileInfo("abbr_info.dat")
            If Not fi.Exists Then Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException()
            Dim fs As New IO.FileStream("abbr_info.dat", IO.FileMode.Open, IO.FileAccess.Read)
            Dim rf As New IO.StreamReader(fs)
            While rf.Peek() > -1
                Dim tmp As Abbr = GetAbbr(rf.ReadLine())
                If Not Object.Equals(tmp, Nothing) Then
                    abbrs.Add(tmp)
                End If
            End While
            rf.Close()
            fs.Close()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")
        End Try
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        LoadData()
    End Sub
End Class

---

So is it resolved