1. Chapter 9 Processing Lists with Arrays

2. Class 9: Arrays Understand the concept of random numbers and how to generate random numbers Describe the similarities and differences between arrays and collections Understand and work with arrays, and use Do loops and For loops to examine array elements Sort, reverse, and search for elements in an array Find and diagnose common array errors Work with multidimensional arrays and arrays of objects

3. Introduction to Random Numbers Applications that require random numbers –Gaming and casino applications –Computer simulations –Test data generation The process of creating a sequence of random numbers is called random number generation

4. Operation of a Random Number Generator A random number generator is initialized based on a seed value –Given the same seed value, the same random number sequence will be generated –Different seed values will generate different random sequences The time of day is often used to create random seed values

5. The System.Random Class The System.Random class is used to create a random number generator and get random values The constructor creates the random number generator –Without arguments, a random seed value is used The seed value is based on the time of day Dim RandomSeed As New Random() –With an argument, a constant seed value is used Dim FixedSeed As New Random(10)

6. The Next Method Without arguments, the Next method gets a positive random Integer value Dim RandomValue As Integer RandomValue = RandomSeed.Next() With two arguments, a value within a range is returned –The first argument contains the lower bound and the second argument contains the upper bound RandomValue = RandomSeed.Next(1, 10)

7. The NextDouble Method The NextDouble method returns a random value between 0.0 and 1.0 Example: Dim RandomDouble As Double RandomDouble = _ RandomSeed.NextDouble()

8. Generating Many Random Values Most often, a sequence of random numbers is generated rather than just one Example to add random values to a list box: Dim CurrentRandom As New System.Random() Dim CurrentIndex As Integer Dim CurrentRandomValue As Double For CurrentIndex = 1 To 100 CurrentRandomValue = _ CurrentRandom.NextDouble() lstRandomList.Items.Add( _ CurrentRandomValue.ToString) Next

9. Introduction to Arrays Chapter 8 introduced the concept of a collection (list) This chapter introduces the concept of an array Lists and arrays have similarities and differences –Both arrays and instances of the List class store multiple items having the same data type –The size of both lists and arrays can be changed at run time The Add and RemoveAt methods work with lists An array's size is changed through a process called redimensioning

10. Characteristics of Arrays An array stores multiple data items, each having the same data type –An array can store a list of primary data types or other data types An array of integers or text boxes, for example An array has one or more dimensions –A one-dimensional array can be thought of as a list –A two-dimensional array can be though of as a grid or table –A Visual Basic array can have between 1 and 60 dimensions

11. Characteristics of Arrays (continued) The number of dimensions in an array is called the rank –A one-dimensional array has a rank of 1 –A two-dimensional array has a rank of 2 Each data item stored in an array is called an element An array element is referenced by a unique index value called a subscript –One subscript is used to reference elements in a one- dimensional array –Two subscripts are used to reference elements in a two- dimensional array

12. The Array Class (Members) The Length property gets the number of elements in the array –The Length property is 1-based The Rank property gets the number of dimensions –A one-dimensional array has a Rank of 1 The GetLength method gets the number of array elements in a particular dimension The GetUpperBound and GetLowerBound methods get the largest and smallest subscript for a dimension –These methods are 0-based –The array dimension is passed as an argument The Sort method sorts an array or part of an array

13. Common Array Tasks Arrays must be declared just as any variable must be declared It is possible to declare and initialize an array in the same statement It's possible to determine the bounds of an array An array's size can be changed at run time Data must be stored and retrieved to and from array elements

14. Declaring Arrays (Syntax) [Public | Friend | Private | Dim] arrayName ([size]) As dataType = initExpr –The access modifier ( Public, Private, Friend ) defines the array's visibility –The identifier (name) is defined by arrayName –The optional size contains the value of the largest subscript The size argument is 0-based Omit the size to declare a dynamic uninitialized array –dataType defines the data type of the array –initExpr is used to assign initial values to the array's elements

15. Declaring Arrays (Examples) Declare an uninitialized array –Dim EmptyArray() As Integer Declare a one-dimensional array with one element –Dim IntegerArray(0) As Integer Declare a one-dimensional array with four elements –Dim IntegerArray(3) As Integer

16. Implementation of Arrays The Array class is a reference type Thus, any array variable stores the memory address of the actual array An uninitialized array has a value of Nothing

17. Figure 9-2: How Memory is Allocated to an Array

18. Initializing an Array An array can be initialized when it is declared –The initialization list appears in braces ({}) –A comma separates each initialization value –The array must be dynamic (declared without an initial subscript value) Example to declare and initialize an Integer array with four elements: Dim IntegerList() As Integer = _ {24, 12, 34, 42}

19. Figure 9-3: Declaring and Initializing an Array

20. Declaring and Initializing Boolean and String Arrays Declare and initialize a Boolean array Dim WeekDayArray() As Boolean = _ {False, False, True, True, True, True, True} Declare and initialize a String array Dim MonthNames() As String = _ {"January", "February", "March", "April", "May", _ "June", "July", "August", "September", _ "October", "November", "December"}

21. Determining an Array's Bounds The GetUpperBound method gets the largest subscript for a particular dimension –It returns the largest subscript, not the number of elements The GetLowerBound method gets the smallest subscript for a particular dimension The 0-based dimension is passed as an argument to each method –The method will throw an exception if the array dimension does not exist

22. Determining an Array's Bounds (Examples) Get the lower and upper bound of the first array dimension for the array named MonthNames Dim SmallestSubscript, _ LargestSubscript As Integer SmallestSubscript = _ MonthNames.GetLowerBound(0) ' 0 LargestSubscript = _ MonthNames.GetUpperBound(0) ' 12

23. Redimensioning an Array An array's size is determined by the number of dimensions in the array and the number of elements in each dimension An array is redimensioned with the ReDim statement –Arrays must be redimensioned when the size cannot be determined in advance

24. The ReDim Statement (Syntax) ReDim [Preserve] varname(size) –The ReDim statement redimensions an array The ReDim statement is an executable statement It must appear inside of a procedure –The optional Preserve keyword preserves the array's contents There are restrictions on the use of the Preserve keyword –varname contains the name of the array to redimension –size contains the new array size

25. Redimensioning an Array (Example) Declare an array Dim IntegerList() As Integer = _ {24, 12, 34, 42} Redimension the array (increasing the size by one to five elements) ReDim IntegerList(4) Redimension the array and preserve its contents ReDim Preserve IntegerList(4)

26. Performing Assignment Statements with Arrays Assignment statements using arrays require a subscript –The subscript appears in parentheses after the array name The data types of the left and right side of the assignment statement must be compatible

27. Performing Assignment Statements with Arrays (Example) Declare an array with 12 elements (subscript values from 0 to 11) Dim SalesList(11) As Double Store and retrieve a value from the second array element (a subscript value of 1) Dim SalesListItem As Double SalesList(1) = 84616.12 SalesListItem = SalesList(1)

28. Figure 9-4: Storing and Retrieving Array Values

29. Type Conversion and Arrays Explicit type conversion of array elements is possible Call methods of the System.Convert class or call the ToString method to convert an element to a string Convert an array element ( Double ) to a string Dim OutputString As String OutputString = SalesList(1).ToString Convert a String to a Double and store the result in an array element SalesList(1) = ToDouble(txtSalesAmount.Text)

30. Type Conversion and Arrays (Errors) Use care to apply the subscript when working with arrays The following statement is missing a subscript and will return the data type of the array's elements: OutputString = SalesList.ToString Example output: System.Double[]

31. Variables and Array Subscripts Variables are often used as array subscripts –Especially when using loops to examine all the elements in an array Variables used as subscripts must have an integral data type

32. Variables and Array Subscripts (Example) Reference an array element with a variable as a subscript: Dim SubscriptValue As Integer = 1 Dim SalesListItem As Double SalesListItem = _ SalesList(SubscriptValue)

33. Using Loops to Examine Array Elements Common array tasks involving loops –Calculate the total value of all array elements using an accumulator –Calculate the minimum value stored in an array –Calculate the maximum value stored in an array –Calculate the average value of the elements in an array

34. Figure 9-7: Using a Loop to Examine Array Elements

35. Examine an Array's Elements (Example) Tally the values of an array's elements. Total contains the total value Dim Total As Double = 0.0 Dim Counter As Integer = 1 Do While Counter <= _ SalesList.GetUpperBound(0) Total += SalesList(Counter) Loop

36. Determining the Minimum Value of an Array Element First, initialize the current minimum value –Use the value of the first array element, or –Use the largest value for the underlying data type Use a loop to find the current minimum value comparing the current minimum value with the current array element –Replace the current minimum value, if necessary

37. Determining the Minimum Value of an Array Element (Example) Find the minimum value in the array named SalesList –Note the first element is not used in the example Dim Counter As Integer = 1 Dim CurrentMinimum As Double = _ SalesList(Counter) For Counter = 1 To _ SalesList.GetUpperBound(0) If CurrentMinimum > _ SalesList(Counter) Then CurrentMinimum = SalesList(Counter) End If Next

38. Determining the Maximum Value of an Array Element The process is nearly the same as finding the minimum value –The condition in the decision-making statement is reversed –Initialize the current minimum value to the value of the first element or the minimum value for the data type

39. Determining the Maximum Value of an Array Element (Example) Find the maximum value in the array named SalesList –Note the first element is not used in the example Dim Counter As Integer = 1 Dim CurrentMaximum As Double = _ SalesList(Counter) For Counter = 1 To _ SalesList.GetUpperBound(0) If CurrentMaximum < _ SalesList(Counter) Then CurrentMaximum = SalesList(Counter) End If Next

40. Determining the Average Value of an Array's Elements Using an accumulator, tally the value of all array elements Divide the total value by the number of array elements to determine the average

41. Determining the Average Value of an Array's Elements (Example) Store in Average, the value of all array elements –Note the first element is not used Dim Counter As Integer = 1 Dim Total, Average As Double For Counter = 1 To SalesList.GetUpperBound(0) Total += SalesList(Counter) Next Average = Total / SalesList.GetUpperBound(0)

42. Arrays as Function Arguments An array can be passed to a procedure as an argument –In the Function declaration, declare the argument with parentheses in the same way a dynamic array is declared Example: Public Shared Function Total( _ ByVal argList() As Double) As Double End Function

43. Sorting Array Elements Use the Sort method of the System.Array class to sort array elements Example: Private SampleArray() As Double = _ {6.11, 4.12, 5.88, 6.44} System.Array.Sort(SampleArray) Example output: 4.12 5.88 6.11, 6.44

44. Sorting Array Elements (continued) It's possible to sort part of an array Call the Sort method with additional arguments –The first argument contains the array to sort –The second argument contains the starting array subscript –The third argument contains the number of elements to sort

45. Sorting Array Elements (continued) Sort the array named SampleArray excluding the first element Private SampleArray() As Double = _ {0, 6.11, 4.12, 5.88, 6.44} System.Array.Sort(SampleArray, 1, _ SampleArray.GetUpperBound(0))

46. Reversing Array Elements Calling the Reverse method of the System.Array class reverses the order of the array elements It's possible to reverse all array elements or a range of elements –The arguments to the Reverse method are the same as the arguments to the Sort method Example: –System.Array.Reverse(SampleArray)

47. Introduction to Searching It's often necessary to search for an array element Searching can be performed in different ways –A sequential search examines each element, in order, until the element is found or the entire array has been searched –A sorted array can be efficiently searched using a binary search

48. Using a Sequential Search A sequential search works on an unordered (unsorted) array Each element is examined sequentially using a loop –If the item is found, the loop exits –If all elements are examined, the item is not found and the loop exits

49. Using a Sequential Search (Example) Search for a value in the array named DataArray Dim Counter As Integer Dim SearchValue As Integer Dim Found As Boolean = False SearchValue = ToInt32(txtSearch.Text) For Counter = 0 To DataArray.GetUpperBound(0) If SearchValue = DataArray(Counter) Then Found = True Exit For End If Next

50. Using a Binary Search If an array is sorted, a binary search can be used to find an array element –The performance is much better than a sequential search Algorithm –Compare the search value with the value of the item in the middle of the array –Divide the array in half based on the results –Continue the previous two steps until the desired array element is found

51. Figure 9-10: Comparisons Using the Binary Search

52. Common Array Errors Errors are commonly made when processing arrays Forgetting to include a subscript Dim DemoArray(12) As Integer DemoArray = 100 Subscript out of range errors Dim DemoArray(10) As Integer DemoArray(20) = 100 DemoArray(–1) = 100

53. Common Array Errors (continued) Forgetting to examine the first or last array element Dim DemoArray(12) As Double Dim Total As Double For Counter = 1 to _ DemoArray.GetUpperBound(0) Total += DemoArray(Counter) Next

54. Introduction to Two-dimensional Arrays A two-dimensional array has rows and columns –Conceptually, it's similar to a grid or table –Two-dimensional arrays have two subscripts instead of one Declare a dynamic two-dimensional array Dim Table(,) As Integer Declare a two-dimensional array with 10 rows and 10 columns Dim Table(9, 9) As Integer

55. Initializing Two-dimensional Arrays Two-dimensional arrays can be initialized just as one-dimensional arrays can be initialized –The array must not be given an initial size The initialization list is nested as follows: Private SalesArray(,) As Integer = { _ {150, 140, 170, 178}, _ {155, 148, 182, 190}, _ {162, 153, 191, 184}, _ {181, 176, 201, 203} _ }

56. Referencing Elements in a Two-dimensional Array Two-dimensional arrays require two subscripts instead of one –A comma separates the two subscripts Reference the first row and column in the array named SalesArray Dim Cell As Integer Cell = SalesArray(0, 0)

57. Redimensioning Two-dimensional Arrays Two-dimensional arrays are redimensioned with the ReDim statement too Restrictions –It's not possible to use the ReDim statement to change the number of array dimensions –When using the Preserve keyword, only the size of the last array dimension can be changed A System.ArrayTypeMismatchException will be thrown otherwise

58. Introduction to Three-dimensional Arrays It's possible to create arrays with three dimensions A three-dimensional array has three subscripts instead of two Declare a dynamic three-dimensional array Dim Cube(,,) Declare a 10 by 10 by 10 array (1000 elements) Dim Cube(9, 9, 9)

59. Working with Arrays of Objects Arrays can store object references in addition to storing primary data types Example to store text box references: Dim TextBoxList(2) As TextBox TextBoxList(0) = txtFirstName TextBoxList(1) = txtLastName TextBoxList(2) = txtAddress

60. Figure 9-13: Memory Allocation to Store an Array of Text Boxes