[RESOLVED] How to handle bit-wise information recieved in an Byte-Array

Hi, I'm recieving data in an ByteArray.
Most of the data is easily converted into numeric values, but I'm having problems handling those Bytes that hold information at Bit-Level.
For example Items 3-4 of my ByteArray, which are 16 Bits are holding the information for 16 ON-OFF Type Properties.

I tried something like:

Code:

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Dim BitInfo(15) As BitArray
Buffer.BlockCopy(ByteArray, 3, BitInfo, 0, 2) 'Raising error        -2147024809 Object has to be an Array

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Code:

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Dim BitInfo As new  BitArray(4)
Buffer.BlockCopy(ByteArray, 3, BitInfo, 0, 2) 'Doesn't compile because an BitArray can't be converted into an Array

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Is the BitArray the best way, or should I stay with the Bytes and try to read (and later write) each Bit form there?

Here are some methods that may be of use to you:

vb.net Code:

Public Function IsBitSet(data As Byte, index As Integer) As Boolean
    If EnsureValidIndex(index) Then
        Dim mask = GetBitMask(index)
 
        Return (data And mask) = mask
    End If
End Function
 
Public Sub SetBit(ByRef data As Byte, index As Integer)
    If EnsureValidIndex(index) Then
        data = data Or GetBitMask(index)
    End If
End Sub
 
Public Sub ClearBit(ByRef data As Byte, index As Integer)
    If EnsureValidIndex(index) Then
        data = data And Not GetBitMask(index)
    End If
End Sub
 
Public Sub ToggleBit(ByRef data As Byte, index As Integer)
    If EnsureValidIndex(index) Then
        data = data Xor GetBitMask(index)
    End If
End Sub
 
Private Function EnsureValidIndex(index As Integer) As Boolean
    If index < 0 OrElse index > 7 Then
        Throw New ArgumentOutOfRangeException("index", index, "Value must be in the range 0 to 7 inclusive.")
    End If
 
    Return True
End Function
 
Private Function GetBitMask(index As Integer) As Byte
    Return CByte(2 ^ index)
End Function

Thanks for those.
In other words, you would suggest just to keep the data in a Byte-Format and procecute the reading and writing using those functions/Subs?

I've looked at the BitArray class before and it's never really seemed to be as useful as it should be so yes, I would stick with raw Bytes.

Roger that, I'll be working with your code.
Leaving into the depth of my code;-)

Dankeschön

If these on/off values have some kind of names I would use an Enum and modify the code JMC provided.

Code:

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    Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim somebytes() As Byte = {3, 5, 7, 2, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29}
        If IsBitSet(somebytes(3), namesofbits.byt3bit1) Then
            SetBit(somebytes(3), namesofbits.byt3bit7)
            Stop
        End If
        If IsBitSet(somebytes(4), namesofbits.byt4bit3) Then
            ClearBit(somebytes(4), namesofbits.byt4bit3)
            Stop
        End If
    End Sub

    'give meaningful names
    <Flags> _
    Enum namesofbits As Byte
        byt3bit0 = 1 << 0
        byt3bit1 = 1 << 1
        byt3bit2 = 1 << 2
        byt3bit3 = 1 << 3
        byt3bit4 = 1 << 4
        byt3bit5 = 1 << 5
        byt3bit6 = 1 << 6
        byt3bit7 = 1 << 7

        byt4bit0 = 1 << 0
        byt4bit1 = 1 << 1
        byt4bit2 = 1 << 2
        byt4bit3 = 1 << 3
        byt4bit4 = 1 << 4
        byt4bit5 = 1 << 5
        byt4bit6 = 1 << 6
        byt4bit7 = 1 << 7
    End Enum

    Public Function IsBitSet(data As Byte, whbit As namesofbits) As Boolean
        Return (data And whbit) = whbit
    End Function

    Public Sub SetBit(ByRef data As Byte, whbit As namesofbits)
        data = data Or whbit
    End Sub

    Public Sub ClearBit(ByRef data As Byte, whbit As namesofbits)
        data = data And Not whbit
    End Sub

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