Problem Code

[Tekken]

I have no clue why this piece of code doesn't work, It give a Null Reference exception even though the file has a bunch of lines in it. It only goes through once and fails when it actually tries to read the file

    
Function FileReader() As ArrayList          
  Dim oDataStore As System.IO.File          
  Dim srReader As System.IO.StreamReader          
  srReader = oDataStore.OpenText("c:\DataStore.txt")          
  While srReader.Peek <> -1              
    FileReader.Add(srReader.ReadLine)          
  End While
  srReader.Close()      
End Function

[DeadEyes]

I don't know much about VB.Net but your function is called FileReader.
In the middle of the loop your doing FileReader.Add()
Is this valid? should you not create a tmp ArrayList fill that in the loop and then return it.

[ThomasJones]

I believe the following line is giving you the problem: (If not, tell us what line you get the error)

FileReader.Add(srReader.ReadLine)

An instance of FileReader has not been created because you do not return a new array list.

Try this:

Function FileReader() As ArrayList          
  Dim oDataStore As System.IO.File          
  Dim srReader As System.IO.StreamReader          
  Dim FR as New ArrayList  'add this line
  srReader = oDataStore.OpenText("c:\DataStore.txt")          
  While srReader.Peek <> -1              
    FR.Add(srReader.ReadLine)          'modify this line
  End While
  srReader.Close()      
  Return FR  'add this line
End Function

[Tekken]

I'll give that a try, thank you. ==> Fixed the problem, Thank you. Would it be possible to ask Why it fixed the problem . Whats the difference between dim FR as New ArrayList and dim FR as ArrayList.

I.E. What does the 'new' modifier do?

Edit: New problem

|
\|/

alPlrDataRaw.CopyTo(alPlrDataSplitRaw)

gives

An unhandled exception of type 'System.ArgumentNullException' occurred in mscorlib.dll

Additional information: Array cannot be null.

Even though the array has 7 entries (Following is the rest of the code and it uses the function which was just fixed by my good friend ThomasJones)

    Private Sub cmdRead_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdRead.Click
        Dim alPlrDataRaw As ArrayList
        Dim alPlrDataSplitRaw() As Object
        '   Call The Read File Function and recieve a ArrayList containing a index for each line in the file
        alPlrDataRaw = FileReader()
        alPlrDataRaw.CopyTo(alPlrDataSplitRaw)

    End Sub

[taxes]

Originally posted by ThomasJones
I believe the following line is giving you the problem: (If not, tell us what line you get the error)

FileReader.Add(srReader.ReadLine)

An instance of FileReader has not been created because you do not return a new array list.

Try this:

Function FileReader() As ArrayList          
  Dim oDataStore As System.IO.File          
  Dim srReader As System.IO.StreamReader          
  Dim FR as New ArrayList  'add this line
  srReader = oDataStore.OpenText("c:\DataStore.txt")          
  While srReader.Peek <> -1              
    FR.Add(srReader.ReadLine)          'modify this line
  End While
  srReader.Close()      
  Return FR  'add this line
End Function

I'm puzzled by the use of two array lists here. The scope of FR is limited to the life of the function and why use it to return the values? Shouldn't it be something like

Dim FR As New ArrayList   'In the calling event
fr=FileReader
 
Function FileReader() As ArrayList          
  Dim oDataStore As System.IO.File          
  Dim srReader As System.IO.StreamReader          
  FileReader = New ArrayList  
  srReader = oDataStore.OpenText("c:\DataStore.txt")          
  While srReader.Peek <> -1              
    FileReader.Add(srReader.ReadLine)          
  End While
  srReader.Close()      
End Function

[ThomasJones]

Taxes:
It's a matter of preference. I did that all the time in vb6. I do not like to use functions as variables in the function itself. In most .net code samples that is not done. (atleast from what I've seen)

There is really only one array list because an instance had not been created for FileReader. FR is limited to the scope of the function but when you return it, FileReader becomes a new instance of the value of FR. FR is then no longer addressable but the value has already been transferred.

If I were to do it your way I would make only a small change:

'No need to declare it as new because of the assignment:
Dim FR as ArrayList = FileReader 'In the calling event
'OR
Dim FR as ArrayList
FR = FileReader

Tekken
The difference between:

Dim FR as ArrayList
and
Dim FR as New ArrayList

is that the new creates an actual instance of the object. Without the new the variable is only dimensioned and can only be used if set to an existing instance. The exception would be shared classes.

As far as the error you now have, the problem is the way alPlrDataSplitRaw is declared. I'm not sure if you want to use the copyto() or not but you could declare alPlrDataSplitRaw as an arraylist and pass in alPlrDataRaw in the constructor:

Private Sub cmdRead_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdRead.Click
        Dim alPlrDataRaw As ArrayList=FileReader()
        Dim alPlrDataSplitRaw As New ArrayList(alPlrDataRaw)
    End Sub

or if you want to use the CopyTo() try

Private Sub cmdRead_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdRead.Click
        Dim alPlrDataRaw As ArrayList=FileReader()
        Dim alPlrDataSplitRaw() As Object = Array.CreateInstance(GetType(Object), alPlrDataRaw.Count) 'Declaring it as Dim alPlrDataSplitRaw as Array is good also
 
        alPlrDataRaw.CopyTo(alPlrDataSplitRaw)
 
    End Sub