C# String array

Question

I'm new to programming, I recently started a computer science degree and I'm struggling a bit with the code, I am currently learning c#.

I am trying to get a string in an array to cut down on the amount of code and make it easier to format it in the console.

my code is:

 string [] sInvite = new string[]
         {
            "*********************************************"

                               +sGuest+
                    "is invited to the wedding of:"
                    + sBride + " and " + sGroom +
                "On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm",

            "*********************************************"
         };

This is how I output it

Console.WriteLine(sInvite);

and this is the actual output in the console, obviously not what I wanted

system.String[]

any ideas on how I can get this to work, or what I am doing wrong?

Note that formatting this in your code won't format the output. — FirstOne
– FirstOne, Commented Oct 17, 2015 at 15:47
I don't really need to have it as an array, but instead of having each line as a separate string I would like it all in a single array. I understand I wont effect the formatting but it would make it easier a bit for me to do it, I think? — Chris
– Chris, Commented Oct 17, 2015 at 15:49

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:58:39Z

6

If you are using C# 6 then you can take the answer from Yacoub Massad and instead use string interpolation:

string sInvite = $@"
*********************************************

                   {sGuest}
        is invited to the wedding of:
        {sBride} and {sGroom}
    On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm

*********************************************";

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:58

CommunityBot

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answered Oct 17, 2015 at 15:51

DavidG

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Comments

Yacoub Massad · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-17 15:49:11Z

5

Use a verbatim string like this:

string sInvite = @"

*********************************************

                   " + sGuest + @"
        is invited to the wedding of:
        " + sBride + @" and " + sGroom + @"
    On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm

*********************************************";

Console.WriteLine(sInvite);

answered Oct 17, 2015 at 15:49

Yacoub Massad

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3 Comments

Matt Thomas Over a year ago

I was just going to recommend the same

Jéf Bueno Over a year ago

I didn't see you answer =/

Chris Over a year ago

Thanks just what I was looking for, I didn't really need It declaring as an array, I'm just trying to understand the keywords we're using and the different ways they are used.

Rikki Gibson · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-17 15:46:32Z

0

You created a string array containing a single element. You might as well just store that string as a string and print it. One thing you could do, if you want to keep using an array, is string.Join() the array elements together with a separator like \n. Then print that resulting string.

answered Oct 17, 2015 at 15:46

Rikki Gibson

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Comments

Jéf Bueno · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-17 15:50:36Z

0

You don't need a string array in this case. You could use a verbatim string, like this

 string sInvite = 
     @"*********************************************"

                           +sGuest+
                "is invited to the wedding of:"
                + sBride + " and " + sGroom +
            "On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm",

        "*********************************************";

The @ allows you to write a string in two or more lines.

If you insist in use array, you can do Console.WriteLine(String.Join(" ", sInvite));, it will convert your array in a string using the first as a separator for the array positions.

answered Oct 17, 2015 at 15:50

Jéf Bueno

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Comments

Nasreddine · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-17 16:06:24Z

0

I went on different route than all the other answers here to make sure that your text was always centered. I guessed that you wanted that from the way you formatted your code. So here's my answer:

int width = 45;
string sGuest = "Nasreddine";
string sBride = "Jane";
string sGroom = "John";

Console.WriteLine(new String('*', width));
Console.WriteLine(Center(sGuest, width));
Console.WriteLine(Center("is invited to the wedding of:",width));
Console.WriteLine(Center(sBride + " and " + sGroom, width));
Console.WriteLine(Center("On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm", width));
Console.WriteLine(new String('*', width));

And this is the function that makes sure that the text is centered:

public static string Center(string str, int length)
{
    if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(str))
    {
        return new String(' ',length);
    }

    if (str.Length >= length)
    {
        return str;
    }

    var halfDiff = (length - str.Length)/2.0;
    return string.Format("{0}{1}", new String(' ', (int) Math.Floor(halfDiff)), str) ;
}

And here's a live demo

answered Oct 17, 2015 at 16:06

Nasreddine

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1 Comment

Chris Over a year ago

Thanks, you were correct about me wanting it centered, also thanks for the link to .NetFiddle that could come in handy

Kayani · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-17 17:41:04Z

0

First thing first, you do not need an array to reduce the code. Secondly the answers given prior to this one are a new way of doing what you want to achieve i.e verbatim string. Here is the old fashioned way of doing it:

var string1 = String.Format(@"
*********************************************
                  {0}
        is invited to the wedding of:
             {1} and {2}
    On Saturday 17 July 2016 at 2:00pm

*********************************************",sGuest,sBride,sGroom);

Console.Writeline(string1);

answered Oct 17, 2015 at 17:41

Kayani

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