Allow user to build If Statements through UI options

[22-degrees]

Hi all,

I need to provide a feature to allow a user to select one of several options form several different categories which can then be used to construct an If Statement to access data stored in arrays etc and return a result.

Basic Example: (using arbitrary headers and data)

Each header represents a combobox, each box has several options.

[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]Argue
[/TD]
[TD]Stock
[/TD]
[TD]Oper.
[/TD]
[TD]Amt
[/TD]
[TD]Msg
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]IF
[/TD]
[TD]Apples[/TD]
[TD]>[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Order More[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AND
[/TD]
[TD]Oranges[/TD]
[TD]<[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Lower Price[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]OR
[/TD]
[TD]Pears[/TD]
[TD]=[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Give them away[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ELSE
[/TD]
[TD]Plums[/TD]
[TD]<>[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Dump them[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


So if the user selects "if", "Oranges", "<", "2", "Order More", the statement built would be:

If oranges < 2 then

msgbox("Order More " & comboStock.selecteditem.tostring)

End if

In reality, the number of options and parameters are vastly greater than the demonstration above but I wanted to keep it simple. As I don't have the greatest knowledge of VB.net, I was hoping someone could provide a few keywords that I might research to hopefully achieve what I need.

What kind of options do I have, if any?

 

[IanRyder]

Hi,

I have not actually had need to do this myself before but what I think you need to look into is VB Scripting. This effectively allows you to create and evaluate expressions on the fly using the MSScriptControl
but I am not too sure just how powerful it actually is. Have a read of this blog that I found to get you started:-

Make your .Net application support scripting - a practical approach - Blog - Osherove

Good Luck.

Cheers,

Ian

 

[22-degrees]

That's great thanks Ian..

From initial testing it looks like it will do exactly what I need it to do.

Also there are some good keywords hidden in the comments from a previous site that used to host this person's blog so if I hit a dead-end at any point then at least I have a back-up plan.

 

[IanRyder]

Good to hear and you are welcome.

I have also looked into this a bit further and have got a good few examples of how this works which could be good for any future needs in my own programs.

Post back if you need any further help.

Cheers,

Ian