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ljaques

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Can Several Form instances change Module Array

I have a program that creates several instances of a form.
I also have a Module which includes a global array so as to allow all of the instanced forms to have access to.

My question is: What happens when several forms try to access AND change that array? Can 2 or more instanced forms access the same indexed area of an array and change it or does windows intervene and prevent another form from changing this array while another is working on it (and once done it allows the other to do whatever it wants to it as well)?  

I was thinking of accessing this global array inside the form itself like so:

private sub form_load()
 Global_Array(0)= Global_Array(0) & "Hello" 'Global_Array() is defined in Module1.bas
 Global_Array(1)=  Global_Array(0) & Global_Array(1) & "Hi"
 Global_Array(2)= Global_Array(0) &  Global_Array(1) &  Global_Array(2) & "Aloha"
end sub

BUT if i have several instances that are also created and who also change this global array i am wondering if it gets really messy or does windows halt an instance while another instance is working on the same index area of an array.

If it is messy then what about this idea: I place a procdure inside the Module1.bas file which includes an argument to the form object. With this i now know who is calling me and say maybe i have a static variable which tells me which form was in here last and if it isn't set to NULL then that tells me someone is still in here and so i should go into an infiinite loop until this static variable is set back to NULL.  Take a look:

public sub Change_Global(thisform as form1)
  static lastform as form1

  if lastform <> Nothing then
     do
       DoEvents
     loop until lastform = Nothing
  endif
  Set lastform = thisform

 Global_Array(0)= Global_Array(0) & "Hello"
 Global_Array(1)=  Global_Array(0) & Global_Array(1) & "Hi"
 Global_Array(2)= Global_Array(0) &  Global_Array(1) &  Global_Array(2) & "Aloha"
 
   Set lastform=Nothing
end sub


Hope this makes sense..If there is a better way or i am completely off or just plain idiotic please let me know. I am interested to find out what is the best solution.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Éric Moreau
Éric Moreau
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ljaques

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thanks very much emoreau...those were the wonderful words i was looking for.