Strings.Left function in C#?

Question

I have added a reference to Microsoft.VisualBasic and a using statement but still get an error calling the Left function: eg)

string s = e.Row.Cells[3].Text;

e.Row.Cells[3].Text = Left(s, 10);

"The name 'Left' does not exist in the current context".

Also tried Strings.Left and Microsoft.VisualBasic.Left and Microsoft.VisualBasic.Strings.Left...

Any other ways to do this in C#?

Sorry for duplicating but the search didn't bring that up. "old vb function" suggests it is no longer used - which is not true. — JohnnyBizzle, Feb 09 '15 at 11:51
No, imo it suggests that it's old and - yes - should not be used anymore ;) — Tim Schmelter, Feb 10 '15 at 07:42

Tim Schmelter · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-09T15:39:15.937

4

Use .NET methods like String.Substring:

string firstTen = s.Substring(0, 10);

or String.Remove:

string firstTen = s.Remove(10);

Note that you should handle the case that s is null or that the input string is too short.

If you insist on VisualBasic.Left you could fully qualify it:

string firstTen = Microsoft.VisualBasic.Strings.Left(s, 10);

edited Feb 09 '15 at 15:39

answered Feb 09 '15 at 08:53

Tim Schmelter

Fully qualifying it didn't work - I tried that. I will try substring, thanks. – JohnnyBizzle Feb 09 '15 at 08:57
@JohnnyBizzle - Did you have a reference to the Microsoft.VisualBasic assembly? – Chris Dunaway Feb 09 '15 at 14:59
@ChrisDunaway: OP has mentioned that he has _"added a reference to Microsoft.VisualBasic"_. – Tim Schmelter Feb 09 '15 at 15:01
Hmmm.... I wonder why fully qualifying it didn't work then. We're missing some piece of information. – Chris Dunaway Feb 09 '15 at 15:03
1

Fully qualifying requires including the correct class - "Microsoft.VisualBasic.Strings.Left(s, 10);". VB allows omitting 'Strings' in the qualification since 'Strings' is a VB 'module' and methods within it do not require the module qualification (only VB allows this or has any concept of 'module'). (Just use 'Substring'!) – Dave Doknjas Feb 09 '15 at 15:37

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 09 '15 at 08:55

0

You can use the String.Substring :

string s = e.Row.Cells[3].Text;
e.Row.Cells[3].Text = s.Trim().Substring(0, 10);

answered Feb 09 '15 at 08:55

Dhaval Patel

2 Answers2