Generic Linked List

[Scott Stark]

Hello,

The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
object.

You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would I
update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the code
in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I want to
use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it works and
I'm a little stuck.

I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
LinkedListItem( Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and _Tail
objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that point it
needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I won't know
the object type until I've added it to the list using my Add() method. I'm
sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this one.

Thanks in advance.

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim MyList As New LinkedList
MyList.Add("123 45")
MyList.Add(55)
MyList.Add("Kat hy")
MyList.Add(1.23 4)
End Sub

Public Class LinkedList
Private _Head As LinkedListItem
Private _Tail As LinkedListItem

Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
Get
Return _Head
End Get
End Property

Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _Head
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_Head = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)

If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
_Head = Item
End If

If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
_Tail = Item
Else
_Tail.NextItem = Item
_Tail = Item
End If
End Sub
End Class

Public Class LinkedListItem
Private _Data As Object
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem

Public Property Value() As Object
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Object)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property

Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class

[Scott Stark]

Re: Generic Linked List

Ok, I'm continuing to try this on my own. Here's what I have. It won't
compile yet so I'm not sure if I'm on the right track, but I thought I'd
keep giving it a shot. There are no error indications in my Form1_Load or my
LinkedListItem class.

My problem is in the LinkedList class (which hasn't been changed since the
last post).

Private _Head As LinkedListItem <--- This has to have a type declaration
(i.e. LinkedListItem( Of String)). At this point, the program doesn't know
what type will be passed. Where am I going wrong?

Public Class Form1
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim MyList As New LinkedList
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("12345" ))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Integer)(55))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("Some words"))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Double)(1.234))

Dim i = MyList.GetFirst Item

Do While Not i Is Nothing
TextBox1.Text += i.Value & vbCrLf
i = i.NextItem
Loop
End Sub
End Class

Public Class LinkedList
Private _Head As LinkedListItem
Private _Tail As LinkedListItem

Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
Get
Return _Head
End Get
End Property

Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _Head
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_Head = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)

If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
_Head = Item
End If

If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
_Tail = Item
Else
_Tail.NextItem = Item
_Tail = Item
End If
End Sub
End Class

Public Class LinkedListItem( Of T)
Private _Data As T
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem( Of T)

Public Property Value() As T
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As T)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property

Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem( Of T)
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem( Of T))
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub New(ByVal Data As T)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class


"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
news:u8JL5XOFJH A.4064@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

Hello,
>
The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
object.
>
You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would I
update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the code
in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I want to
use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it works and
I'm a little stuck.
>
I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
LinkedListItem( Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and _Tail
objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that point
it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I won't
know the object type until I've added it to the list using my Add()
method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this one.
>
Thanks in advance.
>
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim MyList As New LinkedList
MyList.Add("123 45")
MyList.Add(55)
MyList.Add("Kat hy")
MyList.Add(1.23 4)
End Sub
>
Public Class LinkedList
Private _Head As LinkedListItem
Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>
Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
Get
Return _Head
End Get
End Property
>
Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _Head
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_Head = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>
If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
_Head = Item
End If
>
If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
_Tail = Item
Else
_Tail.NextItem = Item
_Tail = Item
End If
End Sub
End Class
>
Public Class LinkedListItem
Private _Data As Object
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>
Public Property Value() As Object
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Object)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class

[Cor Ligthert[MVP]]

Re: Generic Linked List

Scott,

This is asked a thousand times to show that you can only use scripting and
that early binding is a fake.

However what kind of application are you building that you don't know which
values types are used.

Strongly typed means that the value type is known before runtime starts.

However, as you want this, then use reflection, thousand of persons have
been before you going this way, with the same result: The were using
strongly typed at the time they understood it.

Cor

"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
news:u8JL5XOFJH A.4064@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

Hello,
>
The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
object.
>
You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would I
update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the code
in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I want to
use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it works and
I'm a little stuck.
>
I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
LinkedListItem( Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and _Tail
objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that point
it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I won't
know the object type until I've added it to the list using my Add()
method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this one.
>
Thanks in advance.
>
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim MyList As New LinkedList
MyList.Add("123 45")
MyList.Add(55)
MyList.Add("Kat hy")
MyList.Add(1.23 4)
End Sub
>
Public Class LinkedList
Private _Head As LinkedListItem
Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>
Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
Get
Return _Head
End Get
End Property
>
Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _Head
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_Head = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>
If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
_Head = Item
End If
>
If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
_Tail = Item
Else
_Tail.NextItem = Item
_Tail = Item
End If
End Sub
End Class
>
Public Class LinkedListItem
Private _Data As Object
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>
Public Property Value() As Object
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Object)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class

[Scott Stark]

Re: Generic Linked List

Actually, it's an exercise in Chapter 1 of the prep book for the MCTS 70-536
exam.

"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a chain of
different object types."

I've been trying to accomplish this on my own for about three days and have
finally decided to ask for help moving in the right direction. I've gotten
all of the other "Suggested Practices" down, just not this one. Given that
it's in Chapter 1 and they haven't even touched on reflection yet, I'm
assuming there's a simpler way to do it.

"Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <notmyfirstname @planet.nlwrote in message
news:549073B5-3719-478D-A3CF-15936A3D2086@mi crosoft.com...

Scott,
>
This is asked a thousand times to show that you can only use scripting and
that early binding is a fake.
>
However what kind of application are you building that you don't know
which values types are used.
>
Strongly typed means that the value type is known before runtime starts.
>
However, as you want this, then use reflection, thousand of persons have
been before you going this way, with the same result: The were using
strongly typed at the time they understood it.
>
Cor
>
"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
news:u8JL5XOFJH A.4064@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

>Hello,
>>
>The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
>object.
>>
>You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would I
>update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the
>code in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I
>want to use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it
>works and I'm a little stuck.
>>
>I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
>LinkedListItem (Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
>variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and _Tail
>objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that point
>it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I won't
>know the object type until I've added it to the list using my Add()
>method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this one.
>>
>Thanks in advance.
>>
>Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>System.EventAr gs) Handles MyBase.Load
> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
> MyList.Add("123 45")
> MyList.Add(55)
> MyList.Add("Kat hy")
> MyList.Add(1.23 4)
>End Sub
>>
>Public Class LinkedList
> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>
> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> End Property
>>
> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
> _Head = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>
> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
> _Head = Item
> End If
>>
> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
> _Tail = Item
> Else
> _Tail.NextItem = Item
> _Tail = Item
> End If
> End Sub
>End Class
>>
>Public Class LinkedListItem
> Private _Data As Object
> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>>
> Public Property Value() As Object
> Get
> Return _Data
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As Object)
> _Data = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
> Get
> Return _NextLink
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
> _NextLink = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
> _Data = Data
> End Sub
>End Class

>

[Cor Ligthert[MVP]]

Re: Generic Linked List

Scott,

I don't have that book at hand now, I will see as nobody has answered if I
find your problem at monday.

Cor

"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
news:OkwDoHaFJH A.4936@TK2MSFTN GP03.phx.gbl...

Actually, it's an exercise in Chapter 1 of the prep book for the MCTS
70-536 exam.
>
"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a chain of
different object types."
>
I've been trying to accomplish this on my own for about three days and
have finally decided to ask for help moving in the right direction. I've
gotten all of the other "Suggested Practices" down, just not this one.
Given that it's in Chapter 1 and they haven't even touched on reflection
yet, I'm assuming there's a simpler way to do it.
>
"Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <notmyfirstname @planet.nlwrote in message
news:549073B5-3719-478D-A3CF-15936A3D2086@mi crosoft.com...

>Scott,
>>
>This is asked a thousand times to show that you can only use scripting
>and that early binding is a fake.
>>
>However what kind of application are you building that you don't know
>which values types are used.
>>
>Strongly typed means that the value type is known before runtime starts.
>>
>However, as you want this, then use reflection, thousand of persons have
>been before you going this way, with the same result: The were using
>strongly typed at the time they understood it.
>>
>Cor
>>
>"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
>news:u8JL5XOFJ HA.4064@TK2MSFT NGP05.phx.gbl.. .

>>Hello,
>>>
>>The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
>>object.
>>>
>>You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would
>>I update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the
>>code in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I
>>want to use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it
>>works and I'm a little stuck.
>>>
>>I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
>>LinkedListIte m(Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
>>variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and
>>_Tail objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that
>>point it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I
>>won't know the object type until I've added it to the list using my
>>Add() method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this
>>one.
>>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>>System.EventA rgs) Handles MyBase.Load
>> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
>> MyList.Add("123 45")
>> MyList.Add(55)
>> MyList.Add("Kat hy")
>> MyList.Add(1.23 4)
>>End Sub
>>>
>>Public Class LinkedList
>> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
>> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>>
>> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
>> Get
>> Return _Head
>> End Get
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
>> Get
>> Return _Head
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>> _Head = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
>> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>>
>> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
>> _Head = Item
>> End If
>>>
>> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
>> _Tail = Item
>> Else
>> _Tail.NextItem = Item
>> _Tail = Item
>> End If
>> End Sub
>>End Class
>>>
>>Public Class LinkedListItem
>> Private _Data As Object
>> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>>>
>> Public Property Value() As Object
>> Get
>> Return _Data
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As Object)
>> _Data = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
>> Get
>> Return _NextLink
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>> _NextLink = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
>> _Data = Data
>> End Sub
>>End Class

>>

>

[Bill McCarthy]

Re: Generic Linked List

Hi Scott,

My problem is in the LinkedList class (which hasn't been changed since the
last post).
>
Private _Head As LinkedListItem <--- This has to have a type declaration
(i.e. LinkedListItem( Of String)). At this point, the program doesn't know
what type will be passed. Where am I going wrong?

There's two typical design patterns used for this:

The first, and most common is for the LinkedList to be generic,
LinkedList(Of T) and each item to be a LinkedListItem( Of T). In your case
however you are using different types, so the generic would need to be
instantiated as LinkedList(Of Object) and LinkedListItem( Of Object), which
is seldom of any value ;)

The other kind of pattern you can use is an interface or an abstract base
class, eg:

Public MustIntherit CLass LinkedListItem
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem

Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem( Of T))
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property

End CLass


Public Class LinkedListItem( Of T)
Inherits LinkedListItem

Private _Data As T

Public Property Value() As T
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As T)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub New(ByVal Data As T)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class


Although that may work, again you will have an issue actually getting the
data from the linked list as you would need to know the generic type before
hand, which makes it kind of useless in practice. You could have a
MustOverride property Data As Object, but then you have gone full circle,
and back to object. And reality is, that is the crux of your problem. you
have different types and their only common base is Object, so generics isn't
really a solution in those cases.

BTW: I strongly suggest you turn Option Strict On.





"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
news:uphy6EPFJH A.4628@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

Ok, I'm continuing to try this on my own. Here's what I have. It won't
compile yet so I'm not sure if I'm on the right track, but I thought I'd
keep giving it a shot. There are no error indications in my Form1_Load or
my LinkedListItem class.
>
My problem is in the LinkedList class (which hasn't been changed since the
last post).
>
Private _Head As LinkedListItem <--- This has to have a type declaration
(i.e. LinkedListItem( Of String)). At this point, the program doesn't know
what type will be passed. Where am I going wrong?
>
Public Class Form1
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArg s) Handles MyBase.Load
Dim MyList As New LinkedList
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("12345" ))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Integer)(55))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("Some words"))
MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Double)(1.234))
>
Dim i = MyList.GetFirst Item
>
Do While Not i Is Nothing
TextBox1.Text += i.Value & vbCrLf
i = i.NextItem
Loop
End Sub
End Class
>
Public Class LinkedList
Private _Head As LinkedListItem
Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>
Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
Get
Return _Head
End Get
End Property
>
Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _Head
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
_Head = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>
If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
_Head = Item
End If
>
If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
_Tail = Item
Else
_Tail.NextItem = Item
_Tail = Item
End If
End Sub
End Class
>
Public Class LinkedListItem( Of T)
Private _Data As T
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem( Of T)
>
Public Property Value() As T
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As T)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem( Of T)
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem( Of T))
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub New(ByVal Data As T)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class
>
>
"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
news:u8JL5XOFJH A.4064@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

>Hello,
>>
>The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
>object.
>>
>You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would I
>update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the
>code in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I
>want to use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it
>works and I'm a little stuck.
>>
>I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
>LinkedListItem (Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
>variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and _Tail
>objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that point
>it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I won't
>know the object type until I've added it to the list using my Add()
>method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this one.
>>
>Thanks in advance.
>>
>Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>System.EventAr gs) Handles MyBase.Load
> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
> MyList.Add("123 45")
> MyList.Add(55)
> MyList.Add("Kat hy")
> MyList.Add(1.23 4)
>End Sub
>>
>Public Class LinkedList
> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>
> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> End Property
>>
> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
> _Head = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>
> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
> _Head = Item
> End If
>>
> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
> _Tail = Item
> Else
> _Tail.NextItem = Item
> _Tail = Item
> End If
> End Sub
>End Class
>>
>Public Class LinkedListItem
> Private _Data As Object
> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>>
> Public Property Value() As Object
> Get
> Return _Data
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As Object)
> _Data = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
> Get
> Return _NextLink
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
> _NextLink = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
> _Data = Data
> End Sub
>End Class

>

[Scott Stark]

Re: Generic Linked List

Hi Bill,

That was basically the problem I was running into. I can just cast the type
to Object, but then I might as well just not use generics, as you said.

I told the other poster that I'm doing this as an exercise in Chapter 1 of
the prep book for the MCTS 70-536 exam. Specifically, the question states:

"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a chain of
different object types."

I'm at a total loss as to how to accomplish this without incuring boxing and
unboxing penalties by using Object, which seems to defeat the purpose of
this exercise in generics...

"Bill McCarthy" <Bill@localhost .comwrote in message
news:EB4C4B7A-B4E4-4322-B5D3-F08DBCEACC07@mi crosoft.com...

Hi Scott,
>

>My problem is in the LinkedList class (which hasn't been changed since
>the last post).
>>
>Private _Head As LinkedListItem <--- This has to have a type
>declaration (i.e. LinkedListItem( Of String)). At this point, the program
>doesn't know what type will be passed. Where am I going wrong?

>
There's two typical design patterns used for this:
>
The first, and most common is for the LinkedList to be generic,
LinkedList(Of T) and each item to be a LinkedListItem( Of T). In your case
however you are using different types, so the generic would need to be
instantiated as LinkedList(Of Object) and LinkedListItem( Of Object), which
is seldom of any value ;)
>
The other kind of pattern you can use is an interface or an abstract base
class, eg:
>
Public MustIntherit CLass LinkedListItem
Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>
Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
Get
Return _NextLink
End Get
Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem( Of T))
_NextLink = value
End Set
End Property
>
End CLass
>
>
Public Class LinkedListItem( Of T)
Inherits LinkedListItem
>
Private _Data As T
>
Public Property Value() As T
Get
Return _Data
End Get
Set(ByVal value As T)
_Data = value
End Set
End Property
>
Public Sub New(ByVal Data As T)
_Data = Data
End Sub
End Class
>
>
Although that may work, again you will have an issue actually getting the
data from the linked list as you would need to know the generic type
before hand, which makes it kind of useless in practice. You could have a
MustOverride property Data As Object, but then you have gone full circle,
and back to object. And reality is, that is the crux of your problem.
you have different types and their only common base is Object, so generics
isn't really a solution in those cases.
>
BTW: I strongly suggest you turn Option Strict On.
>
>
>
>
>
"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
news:uphy6EPFJH A.4628@TK2MSFTN GP05.phx.gbl...

>Ok, I'm continuing to try this on my own. Here's what I have. It won't
>compile yet so I'm not sure if I'm on the right track, but I thought I'd
>keep giving it a shot. There are no error indications in my Form1_Load or
>my LinkedListItem class.
>>
>My problem is in the LinkedList class (which hasn't been changed since
>the last post).
>>
>Private _Head As LinkedListItem <--- This has to have a type
>declaration (i.e. LinkedListItem( Of String)). At this point, the program
>doesn't know what type will be passed. Where am I going wrong?
>>
>Public Class Form1
> Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>System.EventAr gs) Handles MyBase.Load
> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
> MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("12345" ))
> MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Integer)(55))
> MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of String)("Some words"))
> MyList.Add(New LinkedListItem( Of Double)(1.234))
>>
> Dim i = MyList.GetFirst Item
>>
> Do While Not i Is Nothing
> TextBox1.Text += i.Value & vbCrLf
> i = i.NextItem
> Loop
> End Sub
>End Class
>>
>Public Class LinkedList
> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>
> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> End Property
>>
> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
> Get
> Return _Head
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
> _Head = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>
> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
> _Head = Item
> End If
>>
> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
> _Tail = Item
> Else
> _Tail.NextItem = Item
> _Tail = Item
> End If
> End Sub
>End Class
>>
>Public Class LinkedListItem( Of T)
> Private _Data As T
> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem( Of T)
>>
> Public Property Value() As T
> Get
> Return _Data
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As T)
> _Data = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem( Of T)
> Get
> Return _NextLink
> End Get
> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem( Of T))
> _NextLink = value
> End Set
> End Property
>>
> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As T)
> _Data = Data
> End Sub
>End Class
>>
>>
>"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
>news:u8JL5XOFJ HA.4064@TK2MSFT NGP05.phx.gbl.. .

>>Hello,
>>>
>>The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
>>object.
>>>
>>You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would
>>I update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the
>>code in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I
>>want to use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how it
>>works and I'm a little stuck.
>>>
>>I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
>>LinkedListIte m(Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
>>variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and
>>_Tail objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at that
>>point it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double, etc). I
>>won't know the object type until I've added it to the list using my
>>Add() method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck on this
>>one.
>>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>>System.EventA rgs) Handles MyBase.Load
>> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
>> MyList.Add("123 45")
>> MyList.Add(55)
>> MyList.Add("Kat hy")
>> MyList.Add(1.23 4)
>>End Sub
>>>
>>Public Class LinkedList
>> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
>> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>>
>> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
>> Get
>> Return _Head
>> End Get
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
>> Get
>> Return _Head
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>> _Head = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
>> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>>
>> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
>> _Head = Item
>> End If
>>>
>> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
>> _Tail = Item
>> Else
>> _Tail.NextItem = Item
>> _Tail = Item
>> End If
>> End Sub
>>End Class
>>>
>>Public Class LinkedListItem
>> Private _Data As Object
>> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>>>
>> Public Property Value() As Object
>> Get
>> Return _Data
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As Object)
>> _Data = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
>> Get
>> Return _NextLink
>> End Get
>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>> _NextLink = value
>> End Set
>> End Property
>>>
>> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
>> _Data = Data
>> End Sub
>>End Class

>>

>

[Bill McCarthy]

Re: Generic Linked List

Hi Scott,

"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comwrote in message
news:O%23cHfBnF JHA.1280@TK2MSF TNGP02.phx.gbl. ..

Hi Bill,
>
That was basically the problem I was running into. I can just cast the
type to Object, but then I might as well just not use generics, as you
said.
>
I told the other poster that I'm doing this as an exercise in Chapter 1 of
the prep book for the MCTS 70-536 exam. Specifically, the question states:
>
"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a chain of
different object types."
>

I'm guessing, but sounds like they worded that poorly. I think they just
want you to create a generic linked list where all the members are of the
same type and access to them is strongly typed. I think what they were
trying to do was explain that the generic type allows you to specify
different types, but each instantiation of the linked list has only one type
for it's items

I'm at a total loss as to how to accomplish this without incuring boxing
and unboxing penalties by using Object, which seems to defeat the purpose
of this exercise in generics...
>

FWIW: You'll only get boxing with value types. But the real benefit of
generics, especially when you have Option Strict On, is you have strongly
typed access which allows for greater design time feedback and compile time
type checking.

[Steve Gerrard]

Re: Generic Linked List

Scott Stark wrote:

Hi Bill,
>
That was basically the problem I was running into. I can just cast
the type to Object, but then I might as well just not use generics,
as you said.
I told the other poster that I'm doing this as an exercise in Chapter
1 of the prep book for the MCTS 70-536 exam. Specifically, the
question states:
"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a
chain of different object types."
>
I'm at a total loss as to how to accomplish this without incuring
boxing and unboxing penalties by using Object, which seems to defeat
the purpose of this exercise in generics...
>

Is it supposed to be an exercise in Generics?

The question could be interpreted two ways:

1. (real Generics) Create a linked-list (Of T) generic class that enables you to
create a chain of objects, all of the same type, where the type can be specified
at the point in your code where the list will be used. Examples of use would be
Dim A As LinkList(Of String)
Dim B As LinkList(Of Integer)

2. (not real Generics, but a general purpose, or "generic", linked list) Create
a linked-list class that enables you to create a chain of objects of mixed type,
by handling all objects as type Object.

[Scott Stark]

Re: Generic Linked List

It's supposed to be an exercise in generics, and keep in mind it's from the
very first chapter in the book so it's probably supposed to be relatively
simple.

Dim A As LinkList(Of String)
Dim B As LinkList(Of Integer)

This, I've got down. Pretty straightforward , simplistic approach. I also am
starting to believe this is all they are asking for, in which case I wasted
a whole lot of time, LOL.

2. (not real Generics, but a general purpose, or "generic", linked list)
Create a linked-list class that enables you to create a chain of objects
of mixed type, by handling all objects as type Object.

I also have a linked list class written to do just this. My interpretation
of the question was that they wanted a combination of the two apporaches,
something like:

Dim A As LinkList(Of T) (which i know is not syntactically correct)
A.Add(1.234)
A.Add("Some words"
A.Add(New MailMessage())

Etc...

Doesn't seem that this is possible without casting everything as an Object,
which was my initial trouble spot. I think the question is just a bit
misleading.

"Steve Gerrard" <mynamehere@com cast.netwrote in message
news:l_idnUpbQ_ q7wFDVnZ2dnUVZ_ rTinZ2d@comcast .com...

Scott Stark wrote:

>Hi Bill,
>>
>That was basically the problem I was running into. I can just cast
>the type to Object, but then I might as well just not use generics,
>as you said.
>I told the other poster that I'm doing this as an exercise in Chapter
>1 of the prep book for the MCTS 70-536 exam. Specifically, the
>question states:
>"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a
>chain of different object types."
>>
>I'm at a total loss as to how to accomplish this without incuring
>boxing and unboxing penalties by using Object, which seems to defeat
>the purpose of this exercise in generics...
>>

>
Is it supposed to be an exercise in Generics?
>
The question could be interpreted two ways:
>
1. (real Generics) Create a linked-list (Of T) generic class that enables
you to create a chain of objects, all of the same type, where the type can
be specified at the point in your code where the list will be used.
Examples of use would be
Dim A As LinkList(Of String)
Dim B As LinkList(Of Integer)
>
2. (not real Generics, but a general purpose, or "generic", linked list)
Create a linked-list class that enables you to create a chain of objects
of mixed type, by handling all objects as type Object.
>
>

[Steve Gerrard]

Re: Generic Linked List

Scott Stark wrote:

It's supposed to be an exercise in generics, and keep in mind it's
from the very first chapter in the book so it's probably supposed to
be relatively simple.
>

> Dim A As LinkList(Of String)
> Dim B As LinkList(Of Integer)

>
This, I've got down. Pretty straightforward , simplistic approach. I
also am starting to believe this is all they are asking for, in which
case I wasted a whole lot of time, LOL.
>

>2. (not real Generics, but a general purpose, or "generic", linked
>list) Create a linked-list class that enables you to create a chain
>of objects of mixed type, by handling all objects as type Object.

>
I also have a linked list class written to do just this. My
interpretation of the question was that they wanted a combination of
the two apporaches, something like:
>
Dim A As LinkList(Of T) (which i know is not syntactically correct)
A.Add(1.234)
A.Add("Some words"
A.Add(New MailMessage())
>
Etc...
>
Doesn't seem that this is possible without casting everything as an
Object, which was my initial trouble spot. I think the question is
just a bit misleading.
>

I suspect they meant the first one as well, and the question was just not worded
very well. If the list were able to contain objects of any class, it would have
to be typed as containing Object, and it wouldn't be good for much, since it
would be the proverbial box of chocolates, where you never know what you are
going to get.

[Cor Ligthert [MVP]]

Re: Generic Linked List

Scott,

I assume that you confusing the the class using non generics showed on page
40 with the class using the generics.

In my idea are in the generic sample the types T and U used, however not
described what they are, but it are types, not raw objects.

Cor

"Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <notmyfirstname @planet.nlschre ef in bericht
news:526B9970-0E0C-4E39-B70D-87532D77C1D6@mi crosoft.com...

Scott,
>
I don't have that book at hand now, I will see as nobody has answered if I
find your problem at monday.
>
Cor
>
"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
news:OkwDoHaFJH A.4936@TK2MSFTN GP03.phx.gbl...

>Actually, it's an exercise in Chapter 1 of the prep book for the MCTS
>70-536 exam.
>>
>"Create a linked-list generic class that enables you to create a chain of
>different object types."
>>
>I've been trying to accomplish this on my own for about three days and
>have finally decided to ask for help moving in the right direction. I've
>gotten all of the other "Suggested Practices" down, just not this one.
>Given that it's in Chapter 1 and they haven't even touched on reflection
>yet, I'm assuming there's a simpler way to do it.
>>
>"Cor Ligthert[MVP]" <notmyfirstname @planet.nlwrote in message
>news:549073B 5-3719-478D-A3CF-15936A3D2086@mi crosoft.com...

>>Scott,
>>>
>>This is asked a thousand times to show that you can only use scripting
>>and that early binding is a fake.
>>>
>>However what kind of application are you building that you don't know
>>which values types are used.
>>>
>>Strongly typed means that the value type is known before runtime starts.
>>>
>>However, as you want this, then use reflection, thousand of persons have
>>been before you going this way, with the same result: The were using
>>strongly typed at the time they understood it.
>>>
>>Cor
>>>
>>"Scott Stark" <scott@webservi cesinc.comschre ef in bericht
>>news:u8JL5XOF JHA.4064@TK2MSF TNGP05.phx.gbl. ..
>>>Hello,
>>>>
>>>The code below represents a singly-linked list that accepts any type of
>>>object.
>>>>
>>>You can see I'm represting the Data variable a System.Object. How would
>>>I update this code to use generics instead of System.Object. I want the
>>>code in Form1_Load to remain exactly the same, but in the background I
>>>want to use generics. I'm trying to get a better understanding of how
>>>it works and I'm a little stuck.
>>>>
>>>I tried converting the LinkedListItem class to: Public Class
>>>LinkedListIt em(Of T) and then, of course switching the System.Object
>>>variables to type T. But then in the LinkedList class, my _Head and
>>>_Tail objects would need to be case as LinkedListItem( Of T), but at
>>>that point it needs to know the object type (String, Integer, Double,
>>>etc). I won't know the object type until I've added it to the list
>>>using my Add() method. I'm sure it's a simple solution, I'm just stuck
>>>on this one.
>>>>
>>>Thanks in advance.
>>>>
>>>Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVa l sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
>>>System.Event Args) Handles MyBase.Load
>>> Dim MyList As New LinkedList
>>> MyList.Add("123 45")
>>> MyList.Add(55)
>>> MyList.Add("Kat hy")
>>> MyList.Add(1.23 4)
>>>End Sub
>>>>
>>>Public Class LinkedList
>>> Private _Head As LinkedListItem
>>> Private _Tail As LinkedListItem
>>>>
>>> Public ReadOnly Property GetFirstItem()
>>> Get
>>> Return _Head
>>> End Get
>>> End Property
>>>>
>>> Public Property Head() As LinkedListItem
>>> Get
>>> Return _Head
>>> End Get
>>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>>> _Head = value
>>> End Set
>>> End Property
>>>>
>>> Public Sub Add(ByVal Data As Object)
>>> Dim Item As New LinkedListItem( Data)
>>>>
>>> If (_Head Is Nothing) Then
>>> _Head = Item
>>> End If
>>>>
>>> If (_Tail Is Nothing) Then
>>> _Tail = Item
>>> Else
>>> _Tail.NextItem = Item
>>> _Tail = Item
>>> End If
>>> End Sub
>>>End Class
>>>>
>>>Public Class LinkedListItem
>>> Private _Data As Object
>>> Private _NextLink As LinkedListItem
>>>>
>>> Public Property Value() As Object
>>> Get
>>> Return _Data
>>> End Get
>>> Set(ByVal value As Object)
>>> _Data = value
>>> End Set
>>> End Property
>>>>
>>> Public Property NextItem() As LinkedListItem
>>> Get
>>> Return _NextLink
>>> End Get
>>> Set(ByVal value As LinkedListItem)
>>> _NextLink = value
>>> End Set
>>> End Property
>>>>
>>> Public Sub New(ByVal Data As Object)
>>> _Data = Data
>>> End Sub
>>>End Class
>>>

>>

>