All Things Quality: WinTask

January 1, 2005
WinTask - CounterString



'

' CounterString.src

'

' Generate a "Counter String" similar to James Bach's example 

'            (see: http://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/22)

'

' Author: Joe Strazzere

'

' CounterString$({num},{char})

'

' Produces a special string of length {num} that counts its own characters. 

' 

' For example, CounterString$(10, "*") would produce "*3*5*7*10*" 

' which is a ten-character long string, such that each asterisk is at a 

' position in the string equal to the number that precedes it.

'

' This is useful for pasting into fields that cut off text, 

' so that you can tell how many characters were actually pasted. 

'

' You can specify a separator other than asterisk. CounterString$(15, "A") 

' would produce "A3A5A7A9A12A15A"





Function CounterString$(TargetLen, Marker$)

    Local MyCounterString$

    MyCounterString$ = Str$(TargetLen) + Marker$



    If TargetLen < 1 Then
        CounterString$="ERROR - TargetLen must be > 0.  Counter$(TargetLen, Marker$)"

        ExitFunction

    EndIf



    If Len(Marker$) <> 1 Then

        CounterString$="ERROR - Marker$ must be a single character.  Counter$(TargetLen, Marker$)"

        ExitFunction

    EndIf



    While Len(MyCounterString$) < TargetLen
        If Left$(MyCounterString$,1) <> Marker$ Then

            MyCounterString$ = Marker$ + MyCounterString$

        Else

            MyCounterString$ = Str$(TargetLen - Len(MyCounterString$) + 1) + MyCounterString$

        EndIf

    Wend



    CounterString$ = MyCounterString$



EndFunction



'Examples

MsgBox(CounterString$(5,"*"))

MsgBox(CounterString$(23,"*"))

MsgBox(CounterString$(17,"_"))

MsgBox(CounterString$(103,"."))
Pages

January 1, 2005

WinTask - CounterString
