How do I create a dynamic array?

[muzle6074]

Hi all,

Long time no scripting, how can I declare a dynamic array in au3? By this I mean an array that I can just keep re-adding values to without changing the size of the array.

Regards

muzle6074

[Jos]

To my knowledge dynamic arrays are array that can be resized but that doiesn't happen automatically.

You either declare an Array that is large enough to hold all instances or you redim the array when you need more.

Jos

[Armand]

@muzle6074

if you want to add something to the array you have to change it's size but it doesn't mean it can't be dynamically done.

#include <Array.au3>
Dim $yourAr

For $i = 0 To 5
    $retNew = InputBox("Extend array", "Add something new to this array:")
    If IsArray($yourAr) = 1 Then
        $Bound = UBound($yourAr)
        ReDim $yourAr[$Bound+1]
        $yourAr[$Bound] = $retNew
    Else
        Dim $yourAr[1]
        $yourAr[0] = $retNew
    EndIf
Next

_ArrayDisplay($yourAr)

(E)Njoy

[Melba23]

muzle6074,

To the best of my knowledge, AutoIt arrays are inherently dynamic in the sense that the values within a declared array can be updated any time you wish to any value you require without problem, and without affecting the number of elements.

From the Help file:

Data types in Arrays

It was said that an Array contains only one datatype of the same type. But technically speaking, a Variant in AutoIt can contain anything from a number to a boolean value. So an AutoIt-Array could also contain different types, even other Arrays:

$Array[0]=1

$Array[1]=true

$Array[2]="Text"

$Array[3]=$AnotherArray

This has not been strictly forbidden in AutoIt. However, it is NOT ADVISABLE to mix different datatypes in an Array.

If you do need to change the number of elements, Dim or ReDim are the functions to use - the latter preserves existing values within surviving elements. Additionally, the include file Array.au3 contains a whole bunch of interesting functions to add and delete elements from within code, but the functions tend to be quite slow if used within loops because of the ReDim calls that they use.

M23

[muzle6074]

Thank you all for your input!

[BugFix]

Another way: use array alternatives (object) like i.e. System.Collections.ArrayList or Scripting.Dictionary.

So you can increase/decrease your array object without ReDim.

Here an example:

$ObjList = ObjCreate("System.Collections.ArrayList") ; create
$ObjList.Add($VALUE)      ; add value
$VALUE = $ObjList.Item($Index)     ; get value
$ObjList.Remove($VALUE)   ; delete by name
$ObjList.RemoveAt($Index) ; delete by index
$Array = $ObjList.ToArray ; list to array
; and more...

$oDICT = ObjCreate('Scripting.Dictionary')
$oDICT.Add($KEY, $VALUE)   ; add pair (key/value)
$VALUE = $oDICT.Item($KEY) ; get value
$oDICT.Item($KEY) = $VALUE ; set value
$oDICT.Remove($KEY)        ; delete key
$oDICT.RemoveAll           ; delete all keys
; and more...

[nazikus]

Great. ArrayList is so much easier to use. But any idea how to call static methods like IndexOf() ?

Another way: use array alternatives (object) like i.e. System.Collections.ArrayList or Scripting.Dictionary.
So you can increase/decrease your array object without ReDim.
Here an example:

$ObjList = ObjCreate("System.Collections.ArrayList") ; create
$ObjList.Add($VALUE)      ; add value
$VALUE = $ObjList.Item($Index)     ; get value
$ObjList.Remove($VALUE)   ; delete by name
$ObjList.RemoveAt($Index) ; delete by index
$Array = $ObjList.ToArray ; list to array
; and more...

$oDICT = ObjCreate('Scripting.Dictionary')
$oDICT.Add($KEY, $VALUE)   ; add pair (key/value)
$VALUE = $oDICT.Item($KEY) ; get value
$oDICT.Item($KEY) = $VALUE ; set value
$oDICT.Remove($KEY)        ; delete key
$oDICT.RemoveAll           ; delete all keys
; and more...

[Melba23]

nazikus,

Welcome to the AutoIt forums.

In future, please do not necro-post in threads this old - that functionality has already been incorporated into AutoIt. Look for the Map datatype in the latest Beta versions.

M23