Removing a specific string from an array, and redimming?

[VaxoP]

How can you remove a specific string from an array (totally), and redim it so that the blank doesnt remain?

IE> In an array (3)

Hello
Test
Help

and i want to remove "Test".. to make the new array(2) look like this:

Hello
Help


anyone know?

[MartinLiss]

While it can be done with an array, it's easier to use a collection.

Dim MyCollection As New Collection
    Dim intIndex As Integer
    
    ' Create the test data
    MyCollection.Add "Hello", "Hello" ' 1st is Item, 2nd is key. Keys must be unique
    MyCollection.Add "Test", "Test"
    MyCollection.Add "Help", "Help"
    
    
    ' Remove one of them
    MyCollection.Remove "Test"
    
    
    ' Show the results
    For intIndex = 1 To MyCollection.Count
        Debug.Print MyCollection(intIndex)
    Next

[VaxoP]

arent collections a lot slower than arrays though?

[MartinLiss]

They are also bigger do, but you won't notice either disadvantage unless you have thousands of strings. They will be faster than the array for doing what you want to do.

[kebo]

how about:

if a() contains your array of strings

 
for i = lbound(a) to ubound(a)
if a(i) <> YourSearchString then
b(j) = a(i)
j=j+1
next i
redim a(j)
a=b

just a thought
kevin

ps I haven't tested it

[VaxoP]

the only drawback to the collection is that unique key..
i wont be adding all unique items to the array tho
how can i get around that?

[BuggyProgrammer]

You don't need to inclue a key. It is an optional thing. Just don't enter anything there.

[MartinLiss]

In that case

Dim intIndex As Integer
    Dim MyArray() As String
    Dim intTwo As Integer
    Dim bDeleted As Boolean
    
    ReDim MyArray(4)
    MyArray(0) = "Hello"
    MyArray(1) = "Test"
    MyArray(2) = "Help"
    MyArray(3) = "one"
    MyArray(4) = "Test"
    
    bDeleted = True
    Do Until bDeleted = False
        bDeleted = False
        For intIndex = 0 To UBound(MyArray)
            If MyArray(intIndex) = "Test" Then
                For intTwo = intIndex To UBound(MyArray) - 1
                    MyArray(intTwo) = MyArray(intTwo + 1)
                    bDeleted = True
                Next
                ReDim Preserve MyArray(UBound(MyArray) - 1)
            End If
            If bDeleted Then
                Exit For
            End If
        Next
    Loop

[MartinLiss]

Originally posted by BuggyProgrammer
You don't need to inclue a key. It is an optional thing. Just don't enter anything there.

But then you can't remove an item without looping through the collection, and the ability to "grab" the item in this case is the advantage of the collection.