Arranging and manipulating data |
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By Christa Anderson, Contributor
02 May 2005 | SearchWinComputing.com |
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Arranging data. Last month's column discussed data types. You can deal with multiple pieces of data at a single time by collecting that data into an array -- essentially a numbered list. While an array can contain any data type (and any combination of data types), you'll generally use arrays to group like pieces of data, such as telephone numbers. To refer to a particular item in an array, refer to its index number, beginning with 0.
Manipulating data. We also talked about data types last month. Operators, often (but not exclusively) mathematical functions, are one way to manipulate data. Operators have an order of precedence. Although VBScript typically reads lines in a script from left to right, operator precedence determines the order in which the operators are interpreted. (If you think back to fourth-grade math, it's the same thing as looking at 5+2(4*3). You calculate 4*3 first because it's in parentheses, then multiply that by 2, then add 5 to that amount.)
An expression is a calculation that includes any combination of data types to get some result. Expressions can include operators.
Increase your scripting expertise
 Introduction
Arranging and manipulating data
Combining operators with functions
Simplify with subroutines
Where do objects come from?
Grouping objects
Seven quick scripting tips
Summary
| ABOUT THE AUTHOR: |
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Christa Anderson
When Christa Anderson began working with Windows Server operating systems in 1992, she became increasingly interested in finding more efficient and flexible ways of performing routine tasks. Christa has written extensively about administrative scripting and taught technical sessions on the subject at conferences such as Comdex and CeBIT, helping people who had never done any scripting to write their own scripts in half a day. In addition to her interest in scripting Windows management, Christa is an authority on server-based computing and the program manager for Terminal Services licensing in Longhorn. If you have a scripting question for Christa, please e-mail her at scripting@SearchWinComputing.com.
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