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How To Use Spaces in Enumerated Types

Article ID: 161232

Article Last Modified on 7/13/2004


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This article was previously published under Q161232

SUMMARY

Beginning with version 5.0, Visual Basic supports Enumerated Types. Enumerations provide a convenient way to work with sets of related constants and to associate constant values with identifiers. The identifier may be defined as either a normal identifier or a more "friendly" identifier that can contain spaces.

NOTE: Other identifiers, such as variable names and procedure names, can not contain spaces.

MORE INFORMATION

  1. Start Microsoft Visual Basic version 5.0. Create a new Standard EXE. Form1 is created by default.
  2. Add a CommandButton, Command1, to Form 1.
  3. Add the following code to Form1:
          Enum Keys1
              TabKey = 12
              EnterKey = 13
              SpaceBar = 32
          End Enum
    
          Enum Keys2
              [Tab Key] = 12
              [Enter Key] = 13
              [Space Bar] = 32
          End Enum
    
          Private Sub Command1_Click()
              Dim i As Long
              i = Keys1.EnterKey
              MsgBox i
              i = Keys2.[Space Bar]
              MsgBox i
          End Sub
    						
  4. Run the project. Note that the brackets are required or an error will occur. Though the brackets will not be displayed when Visual Basic displays a drop list of the members of the enumeration. Such as, when you type a period after "Keys2", Visual Basic displays a drop list showing the members of the Keys2 enumeration without the brackets:

    Enter Key
    Space Bar
    Tab Key

    When you select one of the members, Visual Basic fills in the brackets for you.

    This code will generate a Compile Error on the second "Test2" line. This is due to the compiler expecting an end-of-statement after the word "Space."

REFERENCES

Microsoft Visual Basic 5.0 Books Online
"Using Enumerations to Work with Sets of Constants"

Microsoft Visual Basic Online Help
"Enum Statement"

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