Array Search

Searching large arrays repetitively can result in unnecessary overheads, but this simple approach can reduce the workload of the search mechanism. The only way to find data in an array is to loop through each element until a match is found. An advantage of employing a loop is that the loop counter holds the last loop index whether the loop is exited or completed. Therefore if the index is great than the loops maximum value this indicates a match was not found. Also if a match was found the loop counter now identifies the array element. The example below demonstrates populating a FlexGrid's second column from an array:

 'loop thru each row in the FlexGrid
 For intLoop = 0 to flx.Rows -1

    'loop thru array
    For intCount = 0 to UBound(arrSupplies)

       'if a match is found stop searching array
       If arrSupplies(intCount).ID = flx.TextMatrix(intLoop, 0) Then
            Exit For
       End If

       'as intCount vale is retained, interrogate to 
       'determine if a match found  
       If intCount > UBound(arrSupplies) Then
          flx.TextMatrix(intLoop, 1) = "N/A"
       Else
          flx.TextMatrix(intLoop, 1) = arrSupplies(intCount).Desc
       End If
 
    Next intCount

 Next intLoop

Another tip, the above example assumes the grid has far less rows than the array has elements, but if the array is small and the FlexGrid large, then the outer loop should step through the array and the inner loop the FlexGrid. The intention being the largest loop has the potential to be exited from with the Exit For statement, thereby reducing the number of steps in the overall search.