Understanding Associative arrays

[eblanc]

I'm building a simple mailing list that I want to build using arrays. I've pointed to associative arrays. I've been reading about arrays for a week now. Still don't understand how they work exactly or how you manipulate them. I've looked for tutorials online but they seem pretty vague or convoluted. Please help. Mostly need the theory I think.

So if I want to make a simple list. say.

Name Email
brady [email protected]
jonny [email protected]
Lord Ragnarok [email protected]

I'm guessing I would put it as this:

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Contacts := {brady {"email": "[email protected]"}, (jonny {"email": "[email protected]"}, (Lord Ragnarok {"email": "[email protected]"}}

Correct? just want to make sure syntax is correct also.

so here is my bogus code and as far as I understand.

Code: Select all

array := jonny
Contacts := {brady {"email": "[email protected]"}, (jonny {"email": "[email protected]"}, (Lord Ragnarok {"email": "[email protected]"}}
msgbox, contacts[%array%]??????????
return

My question is, how do I recall information?? I have a feeling that Msgbox is wrong, I also want to make sure I'm using the variables correctly and syntax is correct. I'm not really sure why but I've been really having trouble understanding the logic behind arrays. it seems like a 3rd-dimensional information table that I am having trouble picturing in my brain.

Thanks for the help.

[Tom Harding]

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Contacts := {"brady":{"email":"[email protected]"},"sandy":{"email":"[email protected]"}}
MsgBox % Contacts["sandy"].email

There are a few ways to go about this, but this is the quick answer.

[Hellbent]

Hope this helps.

Code: Select all

#SingleInstance, Force
#NoEnv
SetBatchLines, -1

Contacts := {Brady: {Email: "[email protected]" , Phone: "123-456-7890"} , Tom: {Email: "" , Phone: ""} , "Mary Ann": {Email: "" , Phone: ""}}

Msgbox,% Contacts.Brady.Email
;or
Msgbox,% Contacts["Brady"].Email
;or
Msgbox,% Contacts["Brady"]["Email"]
;or
Msgbox,% Contacts["Brady","Email"]


;It can sometimes be helpful to break things up a bit.

NewContacts := {}

NewContacts.Sam := {Email: "[email protected]", Phone: "098-765-4321" , "Some key that has spaces in the name": 1234 }
;or
NewContacts.Sam := { Email: "[email protected]"
				   , Phone: "098-765-4321" 
				   , "Some key that has spaces in the name": 1234 }


return
GuiClose:
GuiContextMenu:
*ESC::
	ExitApp

[hd0202]

Code: Select all

; msgbox, contacts[%array%]??????????
msgbox, % contacts[array]

Hubert