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Use an array to avoid using database

I am trying to avoid using a database but i need to store some information for data comparison. I can hard code the information into an array or something. THe data is fairly straight forward BUT it is somewhat relational.

- Folder
- item1
- item2
- item3

- Folder2
- item1
- item2
- item3

Any ideas?

Dave_Greene

Why don't you put it in a Resouce file, essentially the same look and feel of a database, but without one.

Éric Moreau

A treeview?

svfafel

ASKER

sorry for the lack of info...this will be a formless app...running in the background...

Dave_Greene

Still, I suggest a resource file :)

Éric Moreau

You can use a treeview that will be placed on a form that will never be displayed.

Another way should be to use ADO hierarchical recordset.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

PaulHews

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nutwiss

yes, you can easily use an array as a heirarchical data store (this code off the top of my head):

Private Type tpData
Data As Variant 'your data
Parent As Long
End type

Dim atData() As tpData

Private Sub Form_Load()
redim atData(whatever)

atData(0).Data = whatever
atData(0).Parent = -1 'root 'node'

atData(1).Data = whatever
atData(1).Parent = 0 'child of atData(0)

atData(2).Data = whatever
atData(2).Parent = 0

atData(3).Data = whatever
atData(3).Parent = 0

atData(4).Data = whatever
atData(4).Parent = -1 'root 'node'

atData(5).Data = whatever
atData(5).Parent = 4 'child of atData(4)

atData(6).Data = whatever
atData(6).Parent = 4

atData(7).Data = whatever
atData(7).Parent = 4

'you can even go as deep as you want:

atData(8).Data = whatever
atData(8).Parent = 7

atData(9).Data = whatever
atData(9).Parent = 8

End Sub

Okay - it's not terribly versatile, but you get the idea, and should work fine for reasonably static data.

DennisBorg

If your data is static (i.e. unchanging), you can use a resource file as Dave Greene has suggested. You can think of a Resource File as a datafile embedded into your program.

If your data is dynamic, you can store the data into a text file which can be stored in the same directory as your executable. If the data is of a sensitive nature, you can encrypt it so that it is not readable from merely looking at the file. Your program can then load the data from the file at the beginning of your Sub Main(); it could be read into array(s) or collection(s), and depending upon the nature of your data you might find creating Classes advantageous.

-Dennis Borg

Z_Beeblebrox

Hi,

You may find it more readable to use a type to store the information and to write it to a file. This type can contain arrays, strings, even other types if you want. You can write the entire type to a file using Put. Unfortunately, you may run into problems where you type needs to be part of a publicly creatable class, so that you can coerce it into a variant, which is a pain.

Zaphod.

cjswimmer

nutwiss

cj, hahahaha :) he just doesn't want to lose any points :)

cjswimmer

kind of strange because as soon as you offer up points for a question, you lose them unless you delete the question. S/He doesn't have anything to lose by clearing up the questions...

nutwiss

yes, I know :)

Ignorance is bliss

svfafel

ASKER

I am happy to give up points...just get a little busy sometimes... :)

Éric Moreau

How is this question going?

Éric Moreau

Maybe you can use XML: http://www.xmlmag.com/upload/free/features/xml/2000/03sum00/rj0300/rj0300.asp

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Éric Moreau

Give the points to PaulHews

Moondancer

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