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Associative Array (VB.Net and Access VBA Cross Reference Guide)

By Mike Prestwood

VB.Net versus Access VBA: A side by side comparison between VB.Net and Access VBA.

Data Structures

Data structures allow you to store and work with data. Common data structures include arrays, associative arrays, etc.

Associative Array

[Other Languages]

A set of unique keys linked to a set of values. Each unique key is associated with a value. Think of it as a two column table. MyArray['CA'] = 'California' MyArray['AR'] = 'Arizona'

Languages Focus

Associative arrays are also known as a dictionary or a hash table in other languages.

VB.Net: Dictionary

An associative array links a set of keys to a set of values. In Visual Basic, associative arrays are implemented as Dictionaries.

This code produces a message box saying "Nevada."

Syntax Example: 1 certification question.

//Imports System.Collections.Generic
�

Dim States As New Dictionary(Of String, String)


States.Add("CA", "California")
States.Add("NV", "Nevada")

MsgBox(States("NV"))

Associative Arrays in Visual Basic (a Dictionary)

Access VBA: Collection

In addition to Add and Item, collections also offer Count and Remove. Notice that Add uses the format of Value, Key (which is backwards from many other languages).

Syntax Example:

Dim States As New Collection
   
States.Add "California", "CA"
States.Add "Nevada", "NV"
     
MsgBox (States.Item("CA"))

Access VBA Associative Array (Collection)