Dictionary Object in VBScript

Index -:
1. Dictionary Object

2. Disconnected recordset object

In Previous post, we seen usage of array in VB script, but array is bind with index. Obviously arrays provide a quick and easy way to track one-dimensional data, but when you have multidimensional data, it can become difficult to keep track of the various index based data. It can also become exceedingly complex to try to sort the data. Because of that, if you do have multidimensional data you might want to consider one of the following alternatives

VB Script engine provides two alternative ways mentioned as below.

1. Dictionary object - : We can say Dictionaries are great inventions, everything is in order and easy to use, can be access through string or keys.

A Dictionary object is a little bit like an array in that it can hold a list of values. Those values can be of just about any type: strings, dates, numbers, and so on. You can use a For each loop to loop through the objects in a Dictionary object. However, while an array is a great way to iterate through a list of values, its functionality is somewhat limited compared to the Dictionary object.

Dictionary object consists of a collection of that are called key-item pairs, each entry of collection consist of two elements keys and items.

A key is a unique entry: no two keys within a single Dictionary object can be the same the item is just value that that goes along with a particular key, you an have as many duplicate Items as you want and its only the  keys that need to be unique.

For example -:

Keys	Items
Oraganization1	Microsoft
Oraganization2	Google
Oraganization3	hpe

In above example keys are unique and it should be but Items can be duplicate or vary.

More important thing is Dictionary object works in memory, just like an array. You can create the Dictionary object within your script and use the object for whatever you need to use it for then it disappears when the script ends.

Usage of Dictionary Object -:  Create dictionary object using CreateObject method

‘ Create dictionary object instance Set objDictionary = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")

Once dictionary object instance is created using two parameter first is keys pair and second is items.

Syntax -: objDictionary.Add “Keys” , “Items” objDictionary.Add “Oraganization1”, “Microsoft” objDictionary.Add “Oraganization2”, “Google” objDictionary.Add “Oraganization3”, “hpe”

Once all keys with values are ready you can setup for each loop to iterate or for loop.

Now you can have dictionary object methods and properties access mentioned below

Methods	Description
Add	Adds a new item to the dictionary
Exists	Verifies whether a given key exists in the dictionary
Items	Returns an array with all the values in a dictionary
Keys	Returns an array with all the keys in a dictionary
Remove	Removes the item identified by the specified key
RemoveAll	Removes all the items in the dictionary

Dictionary object supported properties mentioned below

Properties	Description
Count	Returns number of items in dictionary
Item	Sets and returns an item for the specified key
Key	Change in item key

Examples for add and remove key -:

           

Set objDictionary = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary") ‘ Add keys in dictionary object objDictionary.Add “FirstKey”,”FirstValue” objDictionary.Add “SecondKey”,”SecondValue” ‘ remove first keys in dictionary object objDictionary.Remove(“FirstKey”) ‘ it will remove first key from dictionary object collection list

We can add multiple unique keys and items and while access them use unique key, also you can remove all or empty dictionary collection using RemoveAll method.

‘  remove all dictionary collections list objDictionary.RemoveAll

You can check existence of dictionary keys in collection using following method

‘  Check keys existence in collection   objDictionary.Exists(“SecondKey”)

You can take a count of keys using following properties

‘Check keys existence in collection   objDictionary.count ‘ also you can iterate loop until last key pair Dim DictKeys Dim DictItems DictKeys = objDictionary.keys DictItems = objDictionary.Items For iDictionaryIterator = 0 to objDictionary.count -1    Msgbox DictKeys(iDictionaryIterator)    Msgbox DictItems(iDictionaryIterator) Next

Alos you can view video tutorial for more details

 2. Disconnected recordset object - : to be continue....

if you have any query please comment below