Saving array inside other array

Question

Hi Vulupes

Hope I can find an answer to the below question:

I declared the following to add multiple arrays inside an array so that I can use those lists separately later in my application
.
private List<List<string>> groupOfLists = new List<List<string>>();

this works fine in the following code only if I am still working on the application: and let us say if I need to give a name of this group to show in a dgv for example:

groupOfLists.Add(thisList);

int index = dataGridView1.Rows.Add();
var row = dataGridView1.Rows[index];

foreach (string List in thisList)
{
row.Cells["Group_No"].Value = groupOfLists.count;

}

So, if I am still working on the application, the groupOfLists will be increased and the value of group_No filed will be changed every time.

Suppose I close the application and restart it once again, then the GroupOfLists.count will be set to zero. Hence, some fields will state same number of group! (which I don't want).

Is there a way to keep the saved lists inside the GroupLists even if the application is closed? Please help.

pritaeas · Answer

You need to store it somewhere whether it is a file the registry or a database. Am not sure if the link you provide can be easily adapted to fit lists.

Eline Sami · Answer

Is there a way to accomplish this without writing to a file? what about Save and Retrieve Application and User Settings ? I found this but couldn't accomplish what I wanted http://www.dondraper.com/2011/01/easily-save-and-retrieve-application-and-user-settings-in-vb-net-or-c-apps/ Any idea?

pritaeas · Answer

You would have to build a mechanism for saving and loading your lists. File.WriteAllLines() can accept a List to write it to a file. ReadAllLines() can load them back in. You just need to come up with a way to save/load them all in order.