Need help with coding.. Im stuck.... Please help need answered ASAP... Textbox Question

Question

OK I was wondering how I can make this happen. I am making a app that basically is going to help me input things on a website faster. I am using Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate. I have a text box that has some of these fields on the side:

|membersonly=
|power=
|gender=
|race=
|job=
|minlevel=
|minrank=
|slot=
|notrade=
|nosell=

Here is a link to a picture of my application: My Picture

I have a bunch of fields that correspond with each part. How do I make it so that when I fill in a field it gets added onto the right line.

Like if I click the checkbox for members only it adds a "y" after the |membersonly=

And if I choose the number 1 of the radio buttons in power it would put a number one next to the |power=    

Also in the end I would like the Save button to copy the text in the textbox (the way it is) to the clipboard so that I could paste in on the website.

Answer 1

On the event of whatever you're doing on the form, something as simple as this should work:

*This is just giving you an idea*

Dim strValue As String = "lkjljkj" 'This can be the value of the radiobutton value or a textbox value, etc..
 
        For Each ln As String In TextBox1.Lines
            Select Case 0
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    TextBox1.Text = TextBox1.Text.Replace(ln, "|race=" & strValue)
            End Select
        Next

That case statement is basically like checking to see if the textbox line starts with "|race" or "|whatever", and if it's the line you want, then we change it.

Cheers 

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Answer 2

On the event of whatever you're doing on the form, something as simple as this should work:

*This is just giving you an idea*

Dim strValue As String = "lkjljkj" 'This can be the value of the radiobutton value or a textbox value, etc..
 
        For Each ln As String In TextBox1.Lines
            Select Case 0
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    TextBox1.Text = TextBox1.Text.Replace(ln, "|race=" & strValue)
            End Select
        Next

That case statement is basically like checking to see if the textbox line starts with "|race" or "|whatever", and if it's the line you want, then we change it.

Cheers 

---

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Im a little noobish with visual basic. Im having a little trouble understanding.

1. What would go in the As String = "lkjlkjlkj"???

2. What would I put this under... I named the text box on the right as txtitem.

3. Would a combo box be different?

Sorry lol... Im somewhat good at design but I need to learn coding better.

Answer 3

1. Textbox1.Text, RadioButton1.Text, etc...

2. Change Textbox1.Text to txtitem.Text then in my code, and this also would depend on what event you want to trigger the changes with; button click?

3. No, the same: Combobox1.SelectedItem will produce the selected item string value.

Cheers :)

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Answer 4

1. Textbox1.Text, RadioButton1.Text, etc...

2. Change Textbox1.Text to txtitem.Text then in my code, and this also would depend on what event you want to trigger the changes with; button click?

3. No, the same: Combobox1.SelectedItem will produce the selected item string value.

Cheers :)

---

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Ahh it worked lol... Race works now... Do I have to make a Dim string for each field????

And quick question about the radio buttons... how do I make it so that if they choose the white radio button instead of putting white next to |tier= it would be just the letter w

I appreciate the help XD

Answer 5

Cheers friend :)

>>Ahh it worked lol... Race works now... Do I have to make a Dim string for each field????

What do you mean by this?

>>And quick question about the radio buttons... how do I make it so that if they choose the white radio button instead of putting white next to |tier= it would be just the letter w

Define your own value then for each RadioButton

If WhiteRadioButton.Checked Then
            'Append only w here after the radiobutton entry in the textbox
        Else
            'Do something else or add more Radiobuttons here to check for
        End If

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Answer 6

>>Ahh it worked lol... Race works now... Do I have to make a Dim string for each field????

What do you mean by this?

I mean that I put Dim strValue As String = comrace.SelectedItem

Would i need to make a Dim strValue1 As String = comgender.SelectedItem?

>>And quick question about the radio buttons... how do I make it so that if they choose the white radio button instead of putting white next to |tier= it would be just the letter w

Define your own value then for each RadioButton

If WhiteRadioButton.Checked Then
            'Append only w here after the radiobutton entry in the textbox
        Else
            'Do something else or add more Radiobuttons here to check for
        End If

Am I confused about what you mean above X(

How do I append and is this is still under the button click event?

Answer 7

>>How do I append and is this is still under the button click event?

If you want it to be... Doesn't have to be there though, but it's essentially using the same idea as above.

Are you trying to add ALL of the data throughout the form at once to the values on the right by a button click?

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Answer 8

>>How do I append and is this is still under the button click event?

If you want it to be... Doesn't have to be there though, but it's essentially using the same idea as above.

Are you trying to add ALL of the data throughout the form at once to the values on the right by a button click?

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Are you trying to add ALL of the data throughout the form at once to the values on the right by a button click?....... Yes lol.... At first I was hoping it was possible for it to change either as soon as its typed into the text box or as soon as it gets selected from a combo box. And the only button I was going to use was to save all the text in the text box to the clipboard so I could paste it on the website.

Answer 9

>>At first I was hoping it was possible for it to change either as soon as its typed into the text box or as soon as it gets selected from a combo box

It is though (possible), but in the case of just a single button, then complete my case statement above.

Dim strValue As String = "lkjljkj" 'This can be the value of the radiobutton value or a textbox value, etc..
 
        For Each ln As String In TextBox1.Lines
            Select Case 0
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    TextBox1.Text = TextBox1.Text.Replace(ln, "|race=" & strValue)
                Case ln.IndexOf("|membersonly=")
                    'Textbox/Radiobutton/Checkbox value here using the method in the first Case
                Case ln.IndexOf("|power=")
                    If WhiteRadioButton.Checked Then
                        'Append only w here after the radiobutton entry in the textbox
                    ElseIf SomeOtherRadioButton.Checked Then
 
                    Else
                        'Do something else or add more Radiobuttons here to check for
                    End If
                Case ln.IndexOf("|gender=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|job=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|minlevel=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|minrank=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|slot=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|notrade=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|nosell=")
                    'Code here
            End Select
        Next

Cheers :)

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Answer 10

Dim strValue As String = "lkjljkj" 'This can be the value of the radiobutton value or a textbox value, etc..
 
        For Each ln As String In TextBox1.Lines
            Select Case 0
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    TextBox1.Text = TextBox1.Text.Replace(ln, "|race=" & strValue)
                Case ln.IndexOf("|membersonly=")
                    'Textbox/Radiobutton/Checkbox value here using the method in the first Case
                Case ln.IndexOf("|power=")
                    If WhiteRadioButton.Checked Then
                        'Append only w here after the radiobutton entry in the textbox
                    ElseIf SomeOtherRadioButton.Checked Then
 
                    Else
                        'Do something else or add more Radiobuttons here to check for
                    End If
                Case ln.IndexOf("|gender=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|race=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|job=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|minlevel=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|minrank=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|slot=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|notrade=")
                    'Code here
                Case ln.IndexOf("|nosell=")
                    'Code here
            End Select
        Next

Thank you so much!!!!!! Ive gotten everything done except that last part... the extra section is meant to add lines to the textbox. Like if Talent is chosen from the combobox then it would add the line |talent= and whatever gets added to the textbox next to it would be put next to the equals sign... I know how to put the textbox text in (thanks to you :D) but how to I make it so that it addes lines?

Answer 11

You should not try to update the textbox 'on the fly'.  Maintain your data separately from the text box display.  Change it in the event that indicates it has changed, and refresh your display of the whole data when anything changes. 

The data should be an array of string.   Assume it is called lines.  Array elements 0 and 17 never change.  The others may change. 

    Dim lines() As String = {"{{FRitem", "|tier=", "|memberonly=", "|description", "|spawn", "|sc", "|power", "|gender", "|races", "|jobs"} 'etc

When a change occurs, update the item that is being changed. For instance, when someone types in the gender box, the array element will be changed like this:

    Private Sub txtGender_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtGender.TextChanged
        lines(7) = "|gender=" & txtGender.Text
    End Sub

When any change is completed, the text box is updated:

    Private Sub txtGender_Leave(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtGender.Leave
        txtAllLines.Text = ""
        For I As Integer = 0 To 9
            txtAllLines.Text &= lines(I) & vbCrLf
        Next
    End Sub

That last example should be in one function that is called any time a change is completed. For some controls, such as a check box, the refresh can occur for every change.  For others, such as the text box example above, you can choose to process each character as it changes (as the above example), or do the whole change in the leave event.  

Trying to find items from the text box and trim off existing values and update them and reinset intot he right location and so on is just too complex. 

Answer 12

@Acamar - Very true, however, if you want to go that way, why use a loop? String.Join() is much faster as well

lines(0) = "|membersonly=" & "testing"
lines(1) = "|power=" & "testing"
lines(2) = "|gender=" & "testing"
lines(3) = "|race=" & "testing"
lines(4) = "|job=" & "testing"
lines(5) = "|minlevel=" & "sdfsdfsd"
lines(6) = "|minrank=" & "testing"
lines(7) = "|slot=" & "testing"
lines(8) = "|notrade=" & "testing"
lines(9) = "|nosell=" & "testing"
 
TextBox1.Text = String.Empty
TextBox1.Text = String.Join(vbCrLf, lines)

@OP - Acamar is right in this case, I actually think his method is better, although I would go with String.Join() to concat the items in the array to avoid the loop and increase the speed of the process as well. Remember the values set in each index of the array and change them accordingly, then set the array to the textbox.text value when you want to update it.

Cheers :)

---

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Answer 13

@Acamar - Very true, however, if you want to go that way, why use a loop? String.Join() is much faster as well

lines(0) = "|membersonly=" & "testing"
lines(1) = "|power=" & "testing"
lines(2) = "|gender=" & "testing"
lines(3) = "|race=" & "testing"
lines(4) = "|job=" & "testing"
lines(5) = "|minlevel=" & "sdfsdfsd"
lines(6) = "|minrank=" & "testing"
lines(7) = "|slot=" & "testing"
lines(8) = "|notrade=" & "testing"
lines(9) = "|nosell=" & "testing"
 
TextBox1.Text = String.Empty
TextBox1.Text = String.Join(vbCrLf, lines)

@OP - Acamar is right in this case, I actually think his method is better, although I would go with String.Join() to concat the items in the array to avoid the loop and increase the speed of the process as well. Remember the values set in each index of the array and change them accordingly, then set the array to the textbox.text value when you want to update it.

Cheers :)

---

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Remember guys... Im not that experienced with coding... Im trying to learn and understand, but its a little confusing.

1. Can somebody explain Acamars post? Its a little hard to understand.

2. What does String.Join() do and mean?

3. So how do I add lines lol?

Answer 14

I am using Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate.

Over here that costs about £10,000 (about $16,000).

If I had paid that amount for a piece of software I'd spend a bit of time learning how to use it.

Answer 15

Yeah, maybe there was no money left for a F1 key.  

---

Armin

Answer 16

I am using Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate.

Over here that costs about £10,000 (about $16,000).

If I had paid that amount for a piece of software I'd spend a bit of time learning how to use it.

I acutally got it for free... because im going for a computer technology degree I can get any microsoft software for free... Except Office 2010 at the moment lol. Only catch is that I need to stay in college to be able to renew the license each year.

Answer 17

Create an array of string that contains the 18 lines of text that is in the text box. This is the whole text, even though some of those lines are not being changed.  This is re-created from your image and therefore may be wrong.

    Dim lines() As String = {"{{FRitem", _
                             "|tier=", _
                             "|memberonly=", _
                             "|description", _
                             "|spawn", _
                             "|sc", _
                             "|power", _
                             "|gender", _
                             "|races", _
                             "|job", _
                             "|minlevel", _
                             "|minrank", _
                             "|slot", _
                             "|notrade", _
                             "|nosell", _
                             "|unlimited", _
                             "|coinshop", _
                             "|}}"}

Create a routine you can use to display the current state of the text at any time.  Ignore  join - just use a simple loop for now.  Those sorts of improvements can be implemented at any time after you get your code working properly.

    Private Sub ShowText(ByVal L() As String)
        txtAllLines.Text = ""
        For I As Integer = 0 To 9
            txtAllLines.Text &= L(I) & vbCrLf
        Next
    End Sub

You will call this routine at the start of your program to show the text (stubs only) before any changes have been made.  You will also call it immediately after the user makes any change to one of the items in the list. 

For text items. like Description, you can use the text changed event of the text box to record each character as it is typed, or you can use the Leave event to indicate when all the text has been entered. For text changed it would be

    Private Sub txtDescription_TextChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles txtDescription.TextChanged
        lines(2) = "|description=" & txtDescription.Text
        ShowText(lines)
    End Sub

For a combobox such as gender the selected index changed event indicates that something has changed, so it it would be

    Private Sub cbxGender_SelectedIndexChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cbxGender.SelectedIndexChanged
        lines(7) = "|gender=" & cbxGender.Text
        ShowText(lines)
    End Sub

For a checkbox it might be this:

    Private Sub chkNoTrade_CheckedChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles chkNoTrade.CheckedChanged
        If chkNoTrade.Checked Then
            lines(13) = "|notrade=y"
        Else
            lines(13) = "|notrade=n"
        End If
        ShowText(lines)
    End Sub

Just repeat that structure (rebuild the line, show all the lines) for each change that the user can make, using the appropriate line number and text for the item being changed, and selecting the event of the control that tells you the change has been made.  How you handle the power or unlimited items depends on how you have arranged the radio buttons - you can work that out after the basic structure is in place.

If you use this process there is no need to add a line - the stub for each line already exists, and you are only making changes by appending text to the end of each line. If that's not the way it works, you will need to indicate just what you mean by 'add lines'.

Answer 18

    Dim lines() As String = {"{{FRitem", _
                             "|tier=", _
                             "|memberonly=", _
                             "|description", _
                             "|spawn", _
                             "|sc", _
                             "|power", _
                             "|gender", _
                             "|races", _
                             "|job", _
                             "|minlevel", _
                             "|minrank", _
                             "|slot", _
                             "|notrade", _
                             "|nosell", _
                             "|unlimited", _
                             "|coinshop", _
                             "|}}"}

If you use this process there is no need to add a line - the stub for each line already exists, and you are only making changes by appending text to the end of each line. If that's not the way it works, you will need to indicate just what you mean by 'add lines'.

What I meant by adding lines is that some items give extra stats while others do not. Instead of showing each stat field like(which takes up space):

|talent=

|health=

|toughness=

I would like it to add the field when its chosen from the combo box.

So if they chose Energy and typed 36 in the textbox next to it, it would put:

|energy=36

Or if they chose Abilities (which pops up two textboxs.. I got that to work) and typed Ice Arrow in one and Blizzard Barrage in the other,then it would put:

|abilities=Ice Arrow, Blizzard Barrage

Answer 19

I proposed Acamar's answer as the answer. Mostly because it's the easiest to manage, he's storing the values of each line into an array, and as long as you keep tabs on which index resides to which line, it can be easily interchanged with a line and particular value that you want. Instead of the iteration through the array for each line though in what Acamar suggested, I proposed the addition of using String.Join() instead to join each element of the array with the separator of a new line feed, which is what that line in my modified code does. It's also a bit faster than looping through, but Acamar there has a good idea if you want something that is easily manageable.

Cheers :)

---

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~ "The universe is an intelligence test." - Timothy Leary ~

Answer 20

I proposed Acamar's answer as the answer. Mostly because it's the easiest to manage, he's storing the values of each line into an array, and as long as you keep tabs on which index resides to which line, it can be easily interchanged with a line and particular value that you want. Instead of the iteration through the array for each line though in what Acamar suggested, I proposed the addition of using String.Join() instead to join each element of the array with the separator of a new line feed, which is what that line in my modified code does. It's also a bit faster than looping through, but Acamar there has a good idea if you want something that is easily manageable.

Cheers :)

---

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This was my last question then I will mark your proposed answer as the answer.

If you use this process there is no need to add a line - the stub for each line already exists, and you are only making changes by appending text to the end of each line. If that's not the way it works, you will need to indicate just what you mean by 'add lines'.

What I meant by adding lines is that some items give extra stats while others do not. Instead of showing each stat field like(which takes up space):

|talent=

|health=

|toughness=

I would like it to add the field when its chosen from the combo box.

So if they chose Energy and typed 36 in the textbox next to it, it would put:

|energy=36

Or if they chose Abilities (which pops up two textboxs.. I got that to work) and typed Ice Arrow in one and Blizzard Barrage in the other,then it would put:

|abilities=Ice Arrow, Blizzard Barrage

Answer 21

The process I described makes it possible to ignore the fact that these optional ines are 'added'.  Create your array of 'stub' items so it includes all items.     Add code to your display routine to skip items that do not yet have a value.  This might be or all of the list, or just for items beyond a certain index.  But note that trick only works if your items end in "=", which I accidentally left off most of the items in the code I provided. Also, first and last seem to be special.

    Dim lines() As String = {"{", _
                             "|FRitem=", _
                             "|tier=", _
                             "|memberonly=", _
                             "|description=", _
                             ...
                             "|coinshop=", _
                             "|energy=", _
                             "|health=", _
                             "|}}"}

    Private Sub ShowText(ByVal L() As String)
        txtAllLines.Text = L(0)
        For I As Integer = 1 To L.Count - 2
            If Not L(I).EndsWith("=") Then
                txtAllLines.Text &= L(I) & vbCrLf
            End If
        Next
        txtAllLines.Text &= L((L.Count - 1)) & vbCrLf
    End Sub

Then treat these optional lines exactly like you treated all the others.  They won't display until they have a value.

You might need similar code when you prepare a string to paste into the www site - it depends on whether or not you want to paste empty lines.

If you want to stick with the conept of 'add' then that means the the number of items in the array mightchange, so a list is better than an array.  You will initialise a list differently, and some small syntax changes might be required in accessing list items.  The initialisation would be

Dim lines as List(Of string) = New List(Of String)
...

  lines.add("{{FRitem")
  lines.add("|tier=")
  lines.add("|memberonly=")

and so on.

Then, to add a line (to use your example):
    lines.add("|energy=" & txtEnergy.Text)

Change the display routine so it goes to the end of the list, not to an arbitrary 18.   Note that the problem you will have (and what I was wondering about when you mentioned an add process) is how you control whether or not that line has already been added.  You may need to examine the contents of the list.  If the list contains that line, use the line index and replace the list item as per the first examples I provided.  If the list does not already contain the item, add the item to the list like I describe above. This starts to get complex, so the first option might be the best one.

Answer 22

The process I described makes it possible to ignore the fact that these optional ines are 'added'.  Create your array of 'stub' items so it includes all items.     Add code to your display routine to skip items that do not yet have a value.  This might be or all of the list, or just for items beyond a certain index.  But note that trick only works if your items end in "=", which I accidentally left off most of the items in the code I provided. Also, first and last seem to be special.

    Dim lines() As String = {"{", _
                             "|FRitem=", _
                             "|tier=", _
                             "|memberonly=", _
                             "|description=", _
                             ...
                             "|coinshop=", _
                             "|energy=", _
                             "|health=", _
                             "|}}"}

    Private Sub ShowText(ByVal L() As String)
        txtAllLines.Text = L(0)
        For I As Integer = 1 To L.Count - 2
            If Not L(I).EndsWith("=") Then
                txtAllLines.Text &= L(I) & vbCrLf
            End If
        Next
        txtAllLines.Text &= L((L.Count - 1)) & vbCrLf
    End Sub

Then treat these optional lines exactly like you treated all the others.  They won't display until they have a value.

You might need similar code when you prepare a string to paste into the www site - it depends on whether or not you want to paste empty lines.

Last thing.... then I can finally do the rest XD... I dont know what the problem is. Sorry for bothering everybody about this...

My |abilities= field doesnt want to work with the textboxes

Here is a link to a picture: Picture

Here is a link to my code: Code

Answer 23

Last thing.... then I can finally do the rest XD... I dont know what the problem is. Sorry for bothering everybody about this...

My |abilities= field doesnt want to work with the textboxes

Here is a link to a picture: Picture

Here is a link to my code: Code

Unfortunately, I don't download code from unknown sources - sorry.  Post the code from the item change event here instead.

What event are you using?  Two procedures are relevant.  Firstly, compare the code for the text item that isn't working with the code for a text item that is working.  A difference might indicate the problem.  Secondly, insert a breakpoint at the start of the code for the event for the item that isn't working, and trace it through be stepping a line at a time.  Use the locals window and the watch window to examine vairable values at each step.  That should indicate where the error is occurring.  My guess is that you have used cut and paste to create the code and missed an item that needed to be changed.  I guess that because it's what I do very often.

Disconnecting your display from your data so that the data update is simplified as much as possible, even if it means you have to write a small display update routine, is a very common design approach that can be very useful for tasks that initially appear quite complex.

Answer 24

Unfortunately, I don't download code from unknown sources - sorry.  Post the code from the item change event here instead.

No Problem :)

    Private Sub comextra_SelectedIndexChanged(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles comextra.SelectedIndexChanged
        If comextra.SelectedItem = "Abilities" Then
            txtextra2.Visible = True
        Else
            txtextra2.Visible = False
        End If

        If comextra.SelectedItem = "Abilities" Then
            itemlines(18) = "|abilities=" & txtextra1.Text & ", " & txtextra2.Text
        End If
        ShowText(itemlines)
    End Sub

If Abilities is chosen it makes the second textbox visible. Lets say that the first textbox has Ice Arrow. And the second textbox has Blizzard Blast. The output should be this:

|abilities=Ice Arrow, Blizzard Blast

What event are you using?  Two procedures are relevant.  Firstly, compare the code for the text item that isn't working with the code for a text item that is working.  A difference might indicate the problem.  Secondly, insert a breakpoint at the start of the code for the event for the item that isn't working, and trace it through be stepping a line at a time.  Use the locals window and the watch window to examine vairable values at each step.  That should indicate where the error is occurring.  My guess is that you have used cut and paste to create the code and missed an item that needed to be changed.  I guess that because it's what I do very often.

And I didn't copy and paste.... this time XD

Answer 25

When you inserted a breakpoint at the line
    If comextra.SelectedItem = "Abilities" Then
and ran your applciation and changed the selection in the Extras combobo box, did it stop at that line?  When you stepped through one line at a time, did it get to the line
         itemlines(18) = "|abilities=" & txtextra1.Text & ", " & txtextra2.Text
If so, what was the value of each of the text box text properties at that point, and what was the value of itemlines(18) when you stepped off that line?
If it didn't hit the breakpoint then there is a problem in the method declaration - the only possibility I can see is that the name of the combobox control is not comextra.   If it gets to the method but doesn't get to the line to calculate a new value for itemlines(18) then you have the wrong literal value at "Abilities". If it got to that line but puts the wrong values in itemlines(18) then you are referencing the wrong text boxes for the text. If it correctly updates itemlines(18) then you need to step through the line display routine and see why it is not putting the correct text for itemlines(18) into the textbox.

Answer 26

When you inserted a breakpoint at the line
    If comextra.SelectedItem = "Abilities" Then
and ran your applciation and changed the selection in the Extras combobo box, did it stop at that line?  When you stepped through one line at a time, did it get to the line
         itemlines(18) = "|abilities=" & txtextra1.Text & ", " & txtextra2.Text
If so, what was the value of each of the text box text properties at that point, and what was the value of itemlines(18) when you stepped off that line?
If it didn't hit the breakpoint then there is a problem in the method declaration - the only possibility I can see is that the name of the combobox control is not comextra.   If it gets to the method but doesn't get to the line to calculate a new value for itemlines(18) then you have the wrong literal value at "Abilities". If it got to that line but puts the wrong values in itemlines(18) then you are referencing the wrong text boxes for the text. If it correctly updates itemlines(18) then you need to step through the line display routine and see why it is not putting the correct text for itemlines(18) into the textbox.

I cant figure it out.... Also Its 11:00 pm and I cant think straight lol... Ill try again tomorrow in the afternoon. But I know that you can probably figure it out. Good Night lol.

I know you said you dont download from outside sources but in case this changes your mind:

1. Link to picture of antivirus scan (using avg) on zip file: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75584896@N03/6942849783/

2. Antivirus scanning policy of the file sharing website I'm using: http://www.4shared.com/features/anti-virus/index.jsp

3. Link to the zip file containing the published program and the code/design files: http://www.4shared.com/zip/LyG4Pm34/My_ZAM_App_with_Project_Code_a.html        

Answer 27

Hi Tythesly1,

First I want to say that while you did a good job describing the issue in your post, the thread title could be improved a little.  We tend to discourage verbage like "help me asap" because it is not useful to others when searching for answers.  A descriptive title, even if you're not quite sure how to word it, is better than "please help me".  In this case you might use something like "...need help inserting variables into a string".  Its not a big deal, so please take it as more a "for future referece" kind of thing.

Second, I wanted to show you an alternate solution using an object model of your data.  This isn't to say that there is anything wrong with the direction you've been given thus far, this is just an alternate solution offered as something you might learn from.

To use this sample, just start a new Windows Forms Application project and paste this code over the default Form1 code.  Please note that I haven't actually played the game very much so you'll have to adjust the enumerations as needed.  You may also want additional helper methods for the output as I'm not entirely sure what the valid values are for the web data.

Public Class Form1
    Friend WithEvents LayoutPanel As New FlowLayoutPanel With {.AutoScroll = True, .Dock = DockStyle.Fill}
    Friend WithEvents SaveButton As New Button With {.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom, .Text = "Save"}

    Private _EditItem As New FRItem

    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        For Each info As System.Reflection.PropertyInfo In GetType(FRItem).GetProperties
            Dim titleLabel As New Label With {.AutoSize = True, .Text = info.Name}
            Dim editControl As Control = Nothing
            If info.PropertyType.IsEnum Then
                Dim editComboBox As New ComboBox With {.DropDownStyle = ComboBoxStyle.DropDownList}
                editComboBox.Items.AddRange(info.PropertyType.GetEnumNames)
                editComboBox.DataBindings.Add("SelectedItem", _EditItem, info.Name, True)
                editComboBox.SelectedIndex = 0
                editControl = editComboBox
            ElseIf info.PropertyType Is GetType(Boolean) Then
                Dim editYesButton As New RadioButton With {.AutoSize = True, .Text = "Yes", .Top = 1}
                Dim editNoButton As New RadioButton With {.AutoSize = True, .Text = "No", .Top = 1}
                Dim editPanel As New Panel
                editYesButton.DataBindings.Add("Checked", _EditItem, info.Name)
                editPanel.Controls.Add(editYesButton)
                editPanel.Controls.Add(editNoButton)
                editNoButton.Left = editYesButton.Width
                editPanel.Width = editYesButton.Width + editNoButton.Width
                editPanel.Height = editYesButton.Height
                editControl = editPanel
            ElseIf info.PropertyType Is GetType(Integer) Then
                Dim editUpDown As New NumericUpDown
                editUpDown.DataBindings.Add("Value", _EditItem, info.Name)
                editControl = editUpDown
            Else
                Dim editTextBox As New TextBox
                editTextBox.DataBindings.Add("Text", _EditItem, info.Name)
                editControl = editTextBox
            End If
            LayoutPanel.Controls.Add(titleLabel)
            LayoutPanel.Controls.Add(editControl)
            LayoutPanel.SetFlowBreak(editControl, True)
        Next
        Controls.Add(LayoutPanel)
        Controls.Add(SaveButton)
    End Sub

    Private Sub SaveButton_Click(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles SaveButton.Click
        Clipboard.SetText(_EditItem.ToString)
        My.Computer.Audio.PlaySystemSound(Media.SystemSounds.Exclamation)
    End Sub
End Class

Public Class FRItem
    Public Shared ReadOnly WebFormat As String = "FR Item|tier={0}|membersonly={1}|description={2}|spawn={3}|sc={4}|power={5}|gender={6}|race={7}|job={8}|minlevel={9}|minrank={10}|slot={11}|notrade={12}|nosell={13}|unlimited={14}|coinshop={15}|"

    Public Property Tier As ItemTier
    Public Property MemberOnly As Boolean
    Public Property Description As String = String.Empty
    Public Property Spawn As String = String.Empty
    Public Property StationCash As Integer
    Public Property Power As ItemPower
    Public Property Gender As PlayerGender
    Public Property Race As PlayerRace
    Public Property Job As PlayerJob
    Public Property MinLevel As Integer
    Public Property MinRank As Integer
    Public Property Slot As ItemSlot
    Public Property NoTrade As Boolean
    Public Property NoSell As Boolean
    Public Property Unlimited As Boolean
    Public Property CoinShop As ItemCoinShop

    Public Overrides Function ToString() As String
        Return String.Concat("{{",
                             String.Format(WebFormat, IsNone(Tier), YesNo(MemberOnly), Description, Spawn, StationCash, CInt(Power),
                                           IsNone(Gender), IsNone(Race), IsNone(Job), MinLevel, MinRank, IsNone(Slot), YesNo(NoTrade),
                                           YesNo(NoSell), YesNo(Unlimited), IsNone(CoinShop)),
                             "}}")
    End Function

    Private Function IsNone(value As [Enum]) As String
        Dim valueName As String = value.ToString
        If valueName = "None" Then Return String.Empty
        Return valueName
    End Function

    Private Function YesNo(value As Boolean) As String
        If value Then Return "y"
        Return "n"
    End Function
End Class

Public Enum ItemTier
    None
    White
    Green
    Blue
    Purple
    Orange
    Gold
End Enum

Public Enum ItemPower
    None = 0
    One = 1
    Two = 2
    Three = 3
    Four = 4
    Five = 5
End Enum

Public Enum PlayerGender
    None
    Guy
    Gal
End Enum

Public Enum PlayerRace
    None
    Human
    Pixie
End Enum

Public Enum PlayerJob
    None
    Warrior
    Wizard
    Brawler
    Archer
    Ninja
    Medic
    Miner
    Blacksmith
    Chef
    Fisherman
    Postman
    SoccerStar
    KartDriver
    CardDuelist
End Enum

Public Enum ItemSlot
    None
    Head
    Chest
    Hands
    Legs
    Feet
End Enum

<Flags()>
Public Enum ItemCoinShop
    None = 0
    CoinShop = 1
    Marketplace = 2
    Both = 3
End Enum

---

Reed Kimble - "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all"

Answer 28

ALRIGHT!! I got the combo box to work the way I want. It now shows the selected text ... but for some reason any text I put in the text boxes next to it dont show up in the right window.

Answer 29

Thanks for letting me know about the title, and thanks for the alternate solution. But I'm going to stick with what I've learned from here. :D

Answer 30

What was the result from inserting the breakpoint and single stepping the code?

If you change the text in the text boxes after selecting the item in the combobox, then you need the code that's in the combobox index changed event handler to be also inserted into the text changed event handlers for the text boxes.

Answer 31

You did it!!! Thats what was wrong! Thank you everybody who helped me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 32

You did it!!! Thats what was wrong! Thank you everybody who helped me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that before too long you will take a look at the object-based solution posted at the end of this thread.  You will see that it is a further development of some of the design principles that have been implemented in the solution you currently have.

Answer 33

You did it!!! Thats what was wrong! Thank you everybody who helped me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that before too long you will take a look at the object-based solution posted at the end of this thread.  You will see that it is a further development of some of the design principles that have been implemented in the solution you currently have.

I saved everything as a word document :D