Converting a list of Strings to an array using .ToArray()

Question

When using the .ToArray() function is it necessary to implicitly define the size of the array in order to hold of the characters that were in the list you're converting?

String [] array = List.ToArray();

I tried doing this because I needed to use the .GetValue() ability of the array, however, the array is maintaining a size of 1 and not holding the material from the list. Am I trying to use the .ToArray() incorrectly?

colAndDelimiter = new List<string>();
colAndDelimiter.Add(text);

String [] cd = colAndDelimiter.ToArray();

This is all of the code I have that effects the array. When I Console.WriteLine() the list it gives me the entirety of the text. I may be confused about how list works. Is it storing everything as a single item, and that's why the array only shows one place?

Have you debugged to make sure the list definitely contains more than a single item? — Simon Whitehead
– Simon Whitehead, Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 1:36
Code looks fine, can you post a more complete example that demonstrates your problem? — bmm6o
– bmm6o, Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 1:37
what does the list contain? Can you show us what list looks like — Dan Hunex
– Dan Hunex, Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 1:37
are you looking to split the characters?if so you can just do text.ToArray() — Prabhu Murthy
– Prabhu Murthy, Commented Jan 22, 2013 at 1:41

Jeff · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-22 01:53:55Z

5

You don't need to convert it to an array to get specific characters out.

Just use text[index] to get at the needed character.

If you really need it as an array, use String.ToCharArray() - you want an array of char not an array of string.

Edit:

Is it storing everything as a single item, and that's why the array only shows one place?

Yes, yes it is. You're making a list of strings which contains one string: the entire contents of text - what it seems that you want is to split it up letter by letter, which is what the above methods will achieve.

edited Jan 22, 2013 at 1:53

answered Jan 22, 2013 at 1:48

Jeff

12.9k5 gold badges36 silver badges63 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

sa_ddam213 · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-22 01:43:20Z

2

It should work fine, but try the var operator to be sure.

var array = List.ToArray();

Is there a reason to use Array.GetValue instead of the built in functions of the List<T> itself EG:

 string value = List.ElementAt(1);
 var values = List.GetRange(0, 5);

edited Jan 22, 2013 at 1:43

answered Jan 22, 2013 at 1:38

sa_ddam213

43.7k7 gold badges106 silver badges112 bronze badges

Comments

MethodMan · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-22 02:16:05Z

1

What you are doing is fine.. but lets say that you are not sure of the size of the string[] cd then you can do something like the following

var colAndDelimiter = new List<string>();
colAndDelimiter.Add(text);
String[] cd = { }; 
cd =  colAndDelimiter.ToArray();

find the position of the data in cd string value = cd[0];

Update: If you want to do this based on values being stored in a single line then you can do this without having to declare the cd variable as string[] cd;

var colAndDelimiter = new List<string>();
colAndDelimiter.Add("Hello, World, Week, Tuesday");
var cd = colAndDelimiter[0].Split(',');

edited Jan 22, 2013 at 2:16

answered Jan 22, 2013 at 1:50

MethodMan

18.9k6 gold badges41 silver badges53 bronze badges

Comments

mikesjawnbit · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-22 01:38:57Z

0

As long as your List object is some IEnumerable (or similar) that has items in it, this should indeed convert your List to an Array.

Note that once you have created this array, adding elements to List won't also add it to the Array

answered Jan 22, 2013 at 1:38

mikesjawnbit

1066 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Converting a list of Strings to an array using .ToArray()

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

4 Answers 4

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related