string variable

[chriske911]

I have a function that requires several string parameters
but these string parameters are all relatively short meaning they are
all just about 4 to 5 chars
can I somehow limit the length of a string variable so as not to waste
too much memory space with all these memory hungry variables?

it is just a informational question and not an operational issue
thought I saw this somewhere used before but could have been a
different programming language

thnx

 

[Dirk Goldgar]

I have a function that requires several string parameters
but these string parameters are all relatively short meaning they are
all just about 4 to 5 chars
can I somehow limit the length of a string variable so as not to waste
too much memory space with all these memory hungry variables?

it is just a informational question and not an operational issue
thought I saw this somewhere used before but could have been a
different programming language

It's possible to specify a fixed-length sting variable, but there's
seldom much need for it. What makes you think the string variables are
memory-hungry? The variables don't allocate memory for the maximum
possible length of a string, if they're not using it -- they allocate
memory for the number of characters they're using, plus a length
descriptor and some overhead. It would be a very unusual circumstance
where the memory used by a few string variables made a significant
difference in the memory usage of your application.

 

[Allen Browne]

Don't worry about it. VBA takes care of the memory assignments for you, and
only uses the space it needs.

It is possible to create fixed-length strings, e.g.:
Dim str1 As String * 5
But space usage is not a good reason for doing so. Matching fixed-length
strings against variable length strings will probably give you bugs and
inefficiency rather than any benefit.

 

[chriske911]

Allen Browne explained on 10/11/2006 :

Don't worry about it. VBA takes care of the memory assignments for you, and
only uses the space it needs.

It is possible to create fixed-length strings, e.g.:
Dim str1 As String * 5
But space usage is not a good reason for doing so. Matching fixed-length
strings against variable length strings will probably give you bugs and
inefficiency rather than any benefit.

thnx to both of you, I feel better knowing that I am not creating a
monster without knowing it

grtz