Using an Array with a textbox

[jlwesq]

I'm trying to use a textbox to locate a specific product. It partially works (ie, it doesn't crash) but what I am trying to do is get the textbox to autoload the description as the user types. I have several products of similar description and the user needs to see the entire description in order to make a selection. Any help greatly appreciated.

Public Class Form1

    Dim ContractorsName As Contractors
    Dim JobName As Job_Name
    Dim JobAddress As Job_Name
    Dim InventoryProduct(25) As Products

    Dim IndexInteger As Integer = 0

    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        InventoryProduct(0).Description = "Stud 2X4X8' "
        InventoryProduct(0).PriceEach = "1.75"
        InventoryProduct(1).Description = " Stud 2X4X10'"
        InventoryProduct(1).PriceEach = "2.35"
        InventoryProduct(2).Description = "Post 4X4X8' "
        InventoryProduct(2).PriceEach = "6.35"
        InventoryProduct(3).Description = "Post 4X4X10'"
        InventoryProduct(3).PriceEach = "7.25"
        InventoryProduct(4).Description = "Post 4X4X14'"
        InventoryProduct(4).PriceEach = "7.95"
        InventoryProduct(5).Description = "Board 1X6X8' "
        InventoryProduct(5).PriceEach = "8.90"
        InventoryProduct(6).Description = "Board 1X6X12' "
        InventoryProduct(6).PriceEach = "9.25"
        InventoryProduct(7).Description = "Board 1X6X18' "
        InventoryProduct(7).PriceEach = "15.50"
        InventoryProduct(8).Description = "Board 2X8X8' "
        InventoryProduct(8).PriceEach = "11.42"
        InventoryProduct(9).Description = "Post 2X8X14' "
        InventoryProduct(9).PriceEach = "9.95"
        InventoryProduct(10).Description = "Nail 8D 5#"
        InventoryProduct(10).PriceEach = "16.81"
        InventoryProduct(11).Description = "Nail 8D 5000 Strip"
        InventoryProduct(11).PriceEach = "89.95"
        InventoryProduct(12).Description = "Nail 10D 5#"
        InventoryProduct(12).PriceEach = "16.81"
        InventoryProduct(13).Description = "Nail 10D 5000 Strip"
        InventoryProduct(13).PriceEach = "89.95"
        InventoryProduct(14).Description = "Nail 16D 5#"
        InventoryProduct(14).PriceEach = "16.81"
        InventoryProduct(15).Description = "Nail 16D 5000 Strip"
        InventoryProduct(15).PriceEach = "89.95"
        InventoryProduct(16).Description = "Nail Roofing  #11X1 1/2 5#"
        InventoryProduct(16).PriceEach = "10.47"
        InventoryProduct(17).Description = "Nail Roofing Grip Rite #11X 1 1/2 5#"
        InventoryProduct(17).PriceEach = "33.50"
        InventoryProduct(18).Description = "Nail Roofing #11X1 3/4 5#"
        InventoryProduct(18).PriceEach = "6.89"
        InventoryProduct(19).Description = "Nail Roofing #12X1 5#"
        InventoryProduct(19).PriceEach = "8.75"
        InventoryProduct(20).Description = "Plywood Sheathing 4'X8'X15/32 "
        InventoryProduct(20).PriceEach = "14.77"
        InventoryProduct(21).Description = "Plywood Sheathing 4'X8'X19/32"
        InventoryProduct(21).PriceEach = "18.59"
        InventoryProduct(22).Description = "Plywood Sheathing 4'X8'X23/32  Press. Treat."
        InventoryProduct(22).PriceEach = "43.97"
        InventoryProduct(23).Description = "Floor Board 4'X8'X23/32 T&G "
        InventoryProduct(23).PriceEach = "23.57"
        InventoryProduct(24).Description = "Sheetrock 4'X8'X1/2 "
        InventoryProduct(24).PriceEach = "9.38"

    End Sub

    Private Sub AddButton_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles AddButton.Click
        ProductTextBox.Text = InventoryProduct(IndexInteger).Description
        PriceLabel.Text = InventoryProduct(IndexInteger).PriceEach
    End Sub

    Private Sub DescTextBox_TextChanged(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles DescTextBox.TextChanged
        Dim Found As Boolean = False
        Dim TableCompareString As String
        Dim TextCompareString As String

        Do While Not Found And IndexInteger < 25

            TableCompareString = InventoryProduct(IndexInteger).Description.ToString().ToUpper()
            TextCompareString = DescTextBox.Text.ToUpper()

            If TableCompareString.StartsWith(TextCompareString) Then

                Found = True

            Else
                IndexInteger += 1
                IndexLabel.Text = IndexInteger
            End If

        Loop
    End Sub
End Class

[jmcilhinney]

I would suggest that you use the auto-complete functionality already built into the TextBox control. Take a look at the properties whose names begin with "AutoComplete". Read the documentation for those properties and search online for examples if required. If you still have issues, post back and show us what you've done and let us know where the problem is.

[jlwesq]

It work just the way I want. Only problem is now when I exit the program it throws and exception.

{"Cannot bind to the property or column ZIP Code on the DataSource.
Parameter name: dataMember"}

I simply can't resolve this.