[SOLVED][2005] Reg_multi_sz

[Starf0x]

After an extensive search trough our worlwide encyclopedia I have to bother you all, my apologies, but here goes;

I'm trying to read an REG_MULTI_SZ registry key, I already know how to write it, but it flakes on the reading part, here is how far I got:

Dim key As Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey
key = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("SYSTEM\Program\Attr\")
	If key IsNot Nothing Then
	Dim strNotes() As String
	strNotes = CType(key.GetValue("Notes"), String())
	If strNotes IsNot Nothing Then
		For X = 0 To UBound(strNotes)
			strInfo = strInfo & vbCrLf & strNotes(X)
		Next
	End If

I get this error:

"Unable to cast object of type 'System.String' to type 'System.String[]'

But I'm sure the regvalue is a array, so I'm a bit confused.

Could you help me with some suggestions?

Kind Regards, Starf0x

[dynamic_sysop]

you are trying to retrieve a string value, but your code is specifying a string() array on the following line ...

strNotes = CType(key.GetValue("Notes"), String())

try making it a normal string, eg:

Dim strNotes As String = CType(key.GetValue("Notes"), String)
Console.Writeline(strNotes)

[Starf0x]

Thank you Dynamic_sysop for your quick response;

If I try this, the error is opposite from the previous one:

"Conversion from type 'String()' to type 'String' is not valid."

Kind Regards, Starf0x

[dynamic_sysop]

ok, you can check the type of data you are retrieving, then depending if it's a string or string[] handle it as req.
eg:

'/// not tested this on a reg key, but did it with a string / string[] example i made.
Dim key As Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey
key = Microsoft.Win32.Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("SYSTEM\Program\Attr\")
	If key IsNot Nothing Then
                 If key.GetValue("Notes").GetType Is Type.GetType("System.String[]", False, True) Then
                 '/// it's an array.
	    Dim strNotes() As String = CType(key.GetValue("Notes"), String())
	    If strNotes IsNot Nothing Then
		    For X = 0 To UBound(strNotes)
			    strInfo = strInfo & vbCrLf & strNotes(X)
		    Next
                 Else
                     '/// it's a normal string.
                     Dim strNotes As String = CType(key.GetValue("Notes"), String)
                     '/// NO ARRAY HANDLING THIS TIME DUE TO NORMAL STRING...
                     strInfo = strInfo & strNotes
	End If

[schoolbusdriver]

A REG_MULTI_SZ is a simple string which uses a null as a seperator for the different elements it contains. This is a snippet.... but you'll see how it works.

The value in the registry is:

"UserName PassWord 123456789 Easter Egg".

When retrieved it appears in a text box as:

0 'Indicates success...
UserName '1st part
PassWord '2nd part
123456789 '3rd part
Easter Egg '4th part

Dim strRet() As String = Nothing
 
Case butMultiSz_2.Name 'Read a REG_MULTI_SZ.
   txtMsgs.Text = NetReadMultiSZ(hKeyString, (txtSubKey.Text), (txtValueName.Text), strRet)
   If strRet Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
   For i As Integer = 0 To strRet.Length - 1
      txtMsgs.Text = txtMsgs.Text & vbCrLf & Trim$(strRet(i))
   Next

Public Function NetReadMultiSZ(ByRef strhKey As String, ByRef strSubKey As String, ByRef strValueName As String, ByRef strRetVal() As String) As Integer
   On Error GoTo NetERROR
   Dim strKey As String = strhKey & "\" & strSubKey
   strRetVal = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue(strKey, strValueName, ERROR_FAILED)
   Return ERROR_SUCCESS '0
   Exit Function
NetERROR:
   Return ERROR_FAILED 'Custom error -999
End Function

[jmcilhinney]

When you read a REG_MULTI_SZ from the Registry it is returned as a String array. If it's not in your case then it's not a REG_MULTI_SZ in the first place. I just tested this and it worked perfectly:

1. Create a new WinForms project.
2. Add two Buttons to the form.
3. Add this code:

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
                          ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim values As String() = {"Hello", "World"}

    My.Computer.Registry.SetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software", _
                                  "Test", _
                                  values, _
                                  Microsoft.Win32.RegistryValueKind.MultiString)

End Sub

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
                          ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click
    Dim values As String() = TryCast(My.Computer.Registry.GetValue("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software", _
                                                                   "Test", _
                                                                   Nothing), _
                                     String())

    For Each value As String In values
        MessageBox.Show(value)
    Next
End Sub

4. Run the project.
5. Click Button1.
6. Open the Registry to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software and confirm that the value 'Test' exists and that its value is "Hello World".
7. Click Button2 and see that the array contains elements "Hello" and "World".

This is exactly the expected behaviour.

[Starf0x]

ok, you can check the type of data you are retrieving, then depending if it's a string or string[] handle it as req.
eg:

.....

I See what you mean Dynamic_Sysop, I shouldn't assume it would be an array, but check first.
This is something I was looping in, I needed an eye opener, Thank You, I will proceed with this idea.

Kind Regards, Starf0x

[jmcilhinney]

I would tend to disagree a bit here. I would not get the data and then test its type. A REG_MULTI_SZ is going to be returned as a String array EVERY time. If you know that the Registry value you're retrieving is a REG_MULTI_SZ then you know it will be returned as a String array. If you aren't 100% sure what the type of the value you're retrieving is then you can use the GetValueKind method:

Dim key As RegistryKey = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("key path here")
 
Select Case key.GetValueKind("value name here")
    Case RegistryValueKind.String
        'The value is type REG_SZ and will be returned as a String.
    Case RegistryValueKind.MultiString
        'The value is type REG_MULTI_SZ and will be returned as a String array.
    'And so on for the other types.
End Select

[Starf0x]

I would tend to disagree a bit here. I would not get the data and then test its type. A REG_MULTI_SZ is going to be returned as a String array EVERY time. If you know that the Registry value you're retrieving is a REG_MULTI_SZ then you know it will be returned as a String array. If you aren't 100% sure what the type of the value you're retrieving is then you can use the GetValueKind method

This is a good approach, I'll use this to approach my problem, Thank you

Kind Regards, Starf0x