Arrays of strings

[TodWulff]

I am trying to implement a means to gain some verbosity in my debug code.

I have a integer variable to capture a task state - 0 = not started, 1 = idle, 2 = active, ...

I'd like to do something such as this:

Code: Select all

const task_state_verbose(16) = {
	"Not Started",
	"Idle",
	"Active",
	"Paused"
	}
	
	...
	
for i = 0 to _task_count
	Print "Task ";i;" TaskState: ","",task_state(i);" - ";task_state_verbose(task_state(i))
next i

Of course I can make use of a select case construct, which I am going to do.

I am just wondering if there is such a thing as constant arrays of strings given ARMBasic has evolved quite a bit over the last 10 years.

[olzeke51]

I think the closest you can get is a CONST bytearrayname, and use a multiplier on the error status index to get into the array. Kind of like the old-style flat file database. There is wasted space in memory unless you make them all the same size.
'
You might be able to use the PARAMARRAY to hold ADDRESSOF upto 15 messages of CONST strings. and then use your status code as a selector. (theory??) The PARAMARRY does allocate 16 long words(?) [of memory] regardless of how many items you define it with [IIRC].
I have played/used the PRAMARRY as a global. There are several 'posts' in regard to my questions and findings.
'
Hope this isn't a rabbit trail I am leading you on.
Gary z

[TodWulff]

An interesting set of approaches you've posited. ... I am all about being Alice.

Going to have to take a peek at that tonight/tomorrow.

Thank you, kind sir.

-t

[TodWulff]

Ok, this works. I dislike it somewhat, as I think that there are likely better ways to do it.

But, as a proof of concept, it passes muster. Feel free to refactor and optimize.

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defglobals:	' these are the global variables
	dim task_state_verbose_ptr (4) as integer
	return

sub init()	' init the array of strings - hokey shites here, but it works as a poc
	gosub defglobals

	dim task_state_verbose1(16) as string
	dim task_state_verbose2(16) as string
	dim task_state_verbose3(16) as string
	dim task_state_verbose4(16) as string

	task_state_verbose1	= "Not Started"
	task_state_verbose2	= "Idle"
	task_state_verbose3	= "Active"
	task_state_verbose4	= "Paused"
	
	task_state_verbose_ptr(1) = addressof task_state_verbose1
	task_state_verbose_ptr(2) = addressof task_state_verbose2
	task_state_verbose_ptr(3) = addressof task_state_verbose3
	task_state_verbose_ptr(4) = addressof task_state_verbose4
	endsub
	
function StringViaPointer(pointer as integer) as string
	dim strg(255) as string
	dim int, idx as integer
	
	strg =""
	idx = 0
	
	do
		int = *pointer
		
		strg(idx)=(int and $FF)
		if strg(idx)=$00 then exit
			
		strg(idx+1)=(int and $FF00) >> 8
		if strg(idx+1)=$00 then exit
		
		strg(idx+2)=(int and $FF0000) >> 16
		if strg(idx+2)=$00 then exit
		
		strg(idx+3)=(int and $FF000000) >> 24
		if strg(idx+3)=$00 then exit
		
		idx += 4
		pointer += 4
	loop
	
	return strg
	endfunction
		 
main:

	dim i as integer

	init()
	
	for i = 1 to 4
		print i,StringViaPointer(task_state_verbose_ptr(i))
	next i

end

Here is the result:

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Analyzing S:/_Dev/__My_Code/ARMbasic_Repo/StrArrayTest2.bas
get addresses
stopButton
toggleReset
 <= done

bpp.exe -DLPC54102 -I"S:/_Dev/__My_Code/ARMbasic_Repo" -I"C:/Users/TAJS/Documents/_Dev/ARMbasic_libs/CoridiumBASICLibs_v937" "S:/_Dev/__My_Code/ARMbasic_Repo/StrArrayTest2.bas" >C:/Users/TAJS/AppData/Local/Temp/Coridium/StrArrayTest2.bpp
...
Compiling C:/Users/TAJS/AppData/Local/Temp/Coridium/StrArrayTest2.bpp
ARMbasic[9.37m] on the PC  Copyright 2017, Coridium Corp.

... ( 0.56K code + 0.03K const)/416K   0.38/80K data programmed

compile done
Programming Flash *+*+
done
Executing...

1	Not Started
2	Idle
3	Active
4	Paused
 

... Finished in 3 ms