Ext

The Extract function returns a field, subfield, or sub-subfield value from a dynamic array.

Group: Dynamic Array Extensions

Syntax: vVAL = Ext(vREC, vFLD, [vSUB], [vSSUB])

vVAL (Variant) is the string value extracted from the array.

vREC (Variant) is the dynamic array variable name

vFLD (Variant) is the array field number to search

vSUB (Variant) Optional – is the array subfield number

vSSUB (Variant) Optional – is the array sub-subfield number

Example:

Dim sNames As String

Dim sValue As String

sNames = "John&Mike&Albert" ' Three records of names

sValue = Ext(sNames, 2) 'sValue becomes "Mike"

sNames = "John&Mike&Albert" ' Three records of names

sValue = Ext(sNames, 3) 'sValue becomes "Albert"

This next example shows each record with 3 values; Name, Age and Language.

sNames = "John#31#English&Mike#34#Spanish&Albert#40#English"

sValue = Ext(sNames, 2, 3) 'sValue becomes "Spanish"

Here Mike#34#Spanish is the second record and the third subfield value was retrieved.

Using the Sub-subfield concept, maybe the language has sub categories like Canadian English and United Kingdom English.

sNames = "John#31#Canadian English@UnitedKingdom English&Mike...

sValue = Ext(sNames, 1, 3, 1) 'sValue becomes "Canadian English"

There are times when the Extract function can be very helpful. For example, if you create a comma-delimited list of items and must parse through it, writing code to manipulate the string and keep track of the pointer can be extensive. Instead use a statement like:

sList = Replace(sList, ",", Chr(1))

This replaces the comma with the Chr(1) character. Then in the loop you only need to EXT(sList, i) to get each entry out. Use the DCount command to get the length of the list.