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Associative Array (VB.Net and Java Cross Reference Guide)

By Mike Prestwood

VB.Net versus Java: A side by side comparison between VB.Net and Java.

Data Structures

Data structures allow you to store and work with data. Common data structures include arrays, associative arrays, etc.

Associative Array

[Other Languages]

A set of unique keys linked to a set of values. Each unique key is associated with a value. Think of it as a two column table. MyArray['CA'] = 'California' MyArray['AR'] = 'Arizona'

Languages Focus

Associative arrays are also known as a dictionary or a hash table in other languages.

VB.Net: Dictionary

An associative array links a set of keys to a set of values. In Visual Basic, associative arrays are implemented as Dictionaries.

This code produces a message box saying "Nevada."

Syntax Example: 1 certification question.

//Imports System.Collections.Generic
�

Dim States As New Dictionary(Of String, String)


States.Add("CA", "California")
States.Add("NV", "Nevada")

MsgBox(States("NV"))

Associative Arrays in Visual Basic (a Dictionary)

Java: HashMap()

An associative array links a set of keys to a set of values. In Java, associative arrays are implemented as Maps.

This will print "Arizona."

Syntax Example:

import java.util.*;

public class Maps 
{
    public static void main(String[] args) 
    {
        Map states = new HashMap();
        
        states.put("CA", "California");
        states.put("FL", "Florida");
        states.put("AZ", "Arizona");

        System.out.println(states.get("AZ"));
    }
}

Associative Arrays in Java (a Map)