How to replace an object name with a variable?

[pmcarl]

I am very new to object oriented programming, I used to program in a variety of languages. I stopped about 15 years ago as my needs diminished. I last programmed in clipper5. I am trying to learn VB and am using VB6. I used to replace names of variables with other variables that I could change in a loop

I have a list of check boxes named “check1” through “check5”, I want to replace the object name with a variable that I can change in a loop

var = “check”

i = 1
do while i < 6
var = var & str$(i)
var.Caption = Trim(adoCustRecordset("Name"))
adoCustRecordset.MoveNext
i = i + 1
loop


I have tried to Dim a variable as an object and then Set the object but to no avail, I could list all the check boxes but the above method was a standard for me in clipper5 and other languages. I am wondering if a method exists in VB6?

[Killer42]

In VB6 you have two options. You can build a name in a string and use it as an index in the Control collection. Or, by far the better option, just use a control array. What you're doing with the names is sort of simulating an array, but in VB6 you can create a real one.

For a demonstration, just create a form, place a control on it (doesn't really matter what sort) then copy the control and paste it back into the form. You'll be asked whether you want to create a control array - say "yes". These work just like "normal" controls, except that they have an index, just like an array of variables.

[pmcarl]

a control array , of course!

Thanks Killer42, I am dough head.

[Killer42]

Glad we could help. :)

[btoyer]

Could you please explain the first method as I already have 81 text boxes on a form with code references to them and would not like to start over with a control array?

[Killer42]

Could you please explain the first method as I already have 81 text boxes on a form with code references to them and would not like to start over with a control array?

The form's Controls collection is indexed by the control name, I believe. So for example, the control Text1 could also be referenced as Me.Controls("Text1").

Since the index is a string, it follows that you can build the string any way you like, including by sticking a number together with a standard name. In this way, you can produce similar functionality to a control array.

For example...

Dim I As Long, Ctl As Control
For I = 1 To 5
  Set Ctl = Me.Controls("Text" & format(I))
  Debug.? Ctl.Name, Ctl.Text
Next

Note, I haven't tested this - just typed it straight in here. But it should be fairly close.

[btoyer]

I didn't need the format(), but the Me.Controls worked wonders. Thanks.

[Killer42]

I didn't need the format(), but the Me.Controls worked wonders. Thanks.

Glad to help. :)

I'm a bit surprised about the Format() though. In my experience, when convertoing numbers to strings VB usually leaves a space. But I can never remember whether it's on the left or right, so maybe a space on the right didn't bother it.