How to join a list of names in VB.Net

Question

This has to be an easy question, but I cannot figure out how to create a list of names separated by commas without having a trailing comma at the end.

So here is my code...

    For Each u In users
        userList.Append(u.FirstName)
        userList.Append(" ")
        userList.Append(u.LastName)
        userList.Append(", ")
    Next

This creates a list, but it always looks likes this:

James Smith, Chris Williams, Zoey Babcock,

How do I get generate a list without an extra comma at the end?

Thanks

Here is the working code thanks to all the help:

    Dim fullNames = (users.Select(Function(u) u.FirstName + " " + u.LastName))
    Dim userList As String = String.Join(", ", fullNames)

possible duplicate of Make CSV from list of string in LINQ

RB.
– RB.

2012-11-07 15:08:34 +00:00
Commented Nov 7, 2012 at 15:08 — RB.
– RB., Commented Nov 7, 2012 at 15:08

Dennis Traub · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-07 15:35:19Z

3

You can use LINQ to project each user into a collection of full names, then use String.Join() to join them using a separator of your choice.

List(Of String) fullNames = From u _
                            In users _
                            Select (u.FirstName + " " + u.LastName)
String userList = String.Join(", ", fullNames)

You can express the LINQ query like this as well. It is identical to the above:

List(Of String) fullNames = _
                users.Select(Function(u) u.FirstName + " " + u.LastName)
String userList = String.Join(", ", fullNames)

edited Nov 7, 2012 at 15:35

answered Nov 7, 2012 at 15:08

Dennis Traub

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3 Comments

SkyeBoniwell Over a year ago

I don't think I've ever seen code like this before...what is this style called and what does this code do? - thanks -

Dennis Traub Over a year ago

It's called LINQ as in Language INtegrated Query and can do some neat tricks. I Updated my answer and added a link.

SkyeBoniwell Over a year ago

great, I've heard of it before but didn't realize it was so powerful. thanks!

Clarice Bouwer · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-07 15:08:32Z

2

For i as integer = 0 to users.Count - 1
    userList.Append(String.Format("{0} {1}", users(i).FirstName, users(i).LastName))
    If (i + 1) < users.Count - 1
        userList.Append(", ")
    End If
Next

answered Nov 7, 2012 at 15:08

Clarice Bouwer

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Comments

Mark Hurd · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-08 05:25:29Z

1

LINQ and Join is the best answer when it is available, but otherwise you should be using StringBuilder and then it is easiest to leave your code as it is, with the following final line:

If userList.Length > 0 Then userList.Length -= ", ".Length
Return userList.ToString

answered Nov 8, 2012 at 5:25

Mark Hurd

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