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GeneralDock pane manager question Pin
Leif Simon Goodwin6-Jun-20 0:26
Leif Simon Goodwin6-Jun-20 0:26 
GeneralRe: Dock pane manager question Pin
Eddy Vluggen6-Jun-20 6:40
professionalEddy Vluggen6-Jun-20 6:40 
GeneralRe: Dock pane manager question Pin
Leif Simon Goodwin9-Jun-20 0:25
Leif Simon Goodwin9-Jun-20 0:25 
QuestionA Win32 console app version of DOS edit.com? Pin
markrlondon7-May-20 23:49
markrlondon7-May-20 23:49 
GeneralRe: A Win32 console app version of DOS edit.com? Pin
markrlondon12-May-20 7:01
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AnswerRe: A Win32 console app version of DOS edit.com? Pin
markrlondon22-May-20 10:52
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AnswerRe: A Win32 console app version of DOS edit.com? Pin
markrlondon17-Sep-23 10:48
markrlondon17-Sep-23 10:48 
General.NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
MSBassSinger5-May-20 11:08
professionalMSBassSinger5-May-20 11:08 
I published a free to use, free to distribute, free support NuGet package for .NET Core. Standard, and Framework that provides a number of helpful methods and objects, called JHelpers[^] .

To keep this post short, there is a public GitHub .NET project, JHelpers_Demo[^] that has source code showing how to use each method and object.

The NuGet package is targeted to .NET Standard 2.0, is signed, and includes documentation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you.

For those who might want a little more info, here you go. There are two primary parts of the library, ContextMgr and CommonHelpers.

ContextMgr

ContextMgr is a thread-safe singleton that can be used to store data in a single place accessible from anywhere, and any thread, in the application. One typical use is to store settings and other runtime values so their sources (file, database, etc.) only have to be read once. Anything that can be defined as a unique String name and a value or reference type of any kind can be kept there. Items in the collection are added as a String key name (which must be unique) and any value or reference type, boxed as a dynamic type.

ContextMgr has no initialization, and as a singleton, does not use “new” to be created. The actual instance is dynamically created on the first reference in the code.
Example:
// Adding values:
ContextMgr.Instance.ContextValues.AddCheck("Computer Name", Environment.MachineName);
ContextMgr.Instance.ContextValues.AddCheck("Startup Time", DateTime.Now);

//Example of reading values:
dynamic machineName = "";
retVal = ContextMgr.Instance.ContextValues.TryGetValue("Computer Name", out machineName);
dynamic startupTime = "";
retVal = ContextMgr.Instance.ContextValues.TryGetValue("Startup Time", out startupTime);
this.Text = $"This program on {machineName} started at {((DateTime)startupTime).ToShortDateString()}";

In your application’s shutdown code, I recommend adding this line so the ContextMgr disposes of its resources without waiting on the .NET garbage collector.
C#
ContextMgr.Instance.Dispose();

CommonHelpers

This is a static class with a number of useful static methods and extension methods.

Extension Methods

String GetFullExceptionMessage(this Exception ex2Examine,
Boolean getDataCollection,
Boolean getStackTrace)
This Exception object extension returns error messages from the parent exception and any exceptions down the stack, and optionally, the data collection. The Exception.Data collection is used to store name-value pairs that typically record runtime values or other significant data for debugging.


Boolean Contains(this String source, String toCheck, StringComparison strComp)
This String object extension allows string comparison type on the string to check. The extension method returns true if the toCheck string is in the source string, false if not.


Int32 ContainsHowMany(this String source, String toCheck, Boolean ignoreCase = false)
This String object extension gets the count of how many times a given string occurs within another string. The extension method returns a Count of 0 to n occurrences.


Boolean ConvertToBoolean(this String valueToExamine, out Boolean isBoolean)
This String object extension to convert a string, assumed to be in a format that can be converted, to a Boolean value. Recognizes as true (case insensitive) true, on, yes, up, ok, good, 1, -1. Recognizes as false (case insensitive): false, off, no, down, not ok, bad, 0. If the conversion fails, false is returned. Check the isBoolean out value to see if the conversion detected a Boolean value. If it is false, the value was not converted.


Boolean IsBoolean(this String valueToExamine)
This String object extension tests a string, assumed to be in a format that can be converted, to a Boolean value. Recognizes as true (case insensitive) true, on, yes, up, ok, good, start, 1, -1. Recognizes as false (case insensitive): false, off, no, down, not ok, bad, stop, 0. If the conversion fails, false is returned. Otherwise, true is returned.


Boolean IsOnlyDigits(this String testString, Boolean includePeriod = false)
This String object extension checks for all characters being digits. Conversion functions to test numbers may translate letters as Hex values. includePeriod is set to true if the one and only period is to be treated as being a number, so that decimal number strings can be handled properly.


String GetOnlyDigits(this String testString, Boolean includePeriod = false)
This String object extension gets all digits in a string and ignores any non-digits. If includePeriod is true, then the first period in the string will be included in the results.


String GetOnlyLetters(this String testString, Boolean includeSpace = false)
This String object extension gets all letters in a string and ignores any non-letters. However, if includeSpace is true, then any spaces found are included in the return value.


String GetOnlyLettersAndDigits(this String testString, BooleanincludePeriodAndSpace = false)
This String object extension gets all letters and digits in a string, and ignores all else, with the exception of periods and spaces when includePeriodAndSpace is true.


Boolean IsOnlyLetters(this String testString, Boolean includeSpace = false)
This String object extension checks for all characters being letters. If includeSpace is true, then spaces are accepted as if they were letters.


Boolean IsOnlyLettersAndOrDigits(this String testString, Boolean includePeriodAndSpace = false)
This String object extension checks for all characters being only letters and numbers. If includePeriodAndSpace is true, then all periods and spaces are treated as if they are letters.


Boolean IsEmailFormat(this String email)
This String object extension checks the string to see if it is a valid email format. It does not check whether it is a valid, working email.


DateTime GetDateTime(this String dateString, DateTime dateDefault)
This String object extension converts string to date, or returns the default value.


Decimal GetDecimal(this String numberString, Decimal decimalDefault)
This String object extension converts string to decimal value, or returns the default value.


Int32 GetInt32(this String numberString, Int32 integerDefault)
This String object extension converts string to an Int32 value, or returns the default value.


Int64 GetInt64(this String numberString, Int64 integerDefault)
This String object extension converts string to an Int64 value, or returns the default value.


Object GetDefaultValue(this Type t)
Generic extension method that returns a default value for the type, if one exists. This is useful in generic instances where default<T> may not work.

Helper Functions and Properties
Enum

DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum
Unassigned
Miles
Kilometers
Feet
Meters
This is used with geolocation to specify the units of measure for distance.

Class

AddressGeoData
Double Latitude1
Double Longitude1
Double Altitude1
Double Latitude2
Double Longitude2
Double Altitude2
Double LinearDistance (value is calculated, read-only)
DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum UnitsOfMeasure
Class Constructor

AddressGeoData(Double pLatitude1,
Double pLongitude1,
Double pAltitude1,
Double pLatitude2,
Double pLongitude2,
Double pAltitude2,
DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum pUnitsOfMeasure)
Class Methods

void SetUnitsOfMeasure(DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum lngUnitsOfMeasure)
Specify the units of measure to use during this class' instantiation.


void SetLinearDistance(Double dDistance)
This class is used to store two geolocations specifying the latitude, longitude, and altitude. The units of measure determine the units corresponding to the LinearDistance value. Altitude may be 0 if not known or not wanted.


String RowDelimiter (Get only)
This value can be applied to the value for a constant. RowDelimiter is the same non-printable ASCII character used in teletypes and other devices to indicate a new row, and not likely to be seen in string data.


String ColumnDelimiter (Get only)
This value can be applied to the value for a constant. ColumnDelimiter is the same non-printable ASCII character used in teletypes and other devices to indicate a new column, and not likely to be seen in string data.


String TableDelimiter (Get only)
This value can be applied to the value for a constant. TableDelimiter is the same non-printable ASCII character used in teletypes and other devices to indicate a new table of data, and not likely to be seen in string data.


String FullComputerName (Get only)
Gets the full computer name that DNS will recognize in any domain.


String GetDNSName(String pComputerName = "")
Gets the DNS host entry table name for a given computer name. Pass in any computer name. If left blank or null, the current computer name will be used.


String CurDir (Get/Set)
Gets or sets the fully qualified path of the current working directory. For services, the current directory via normal means shows the Windows System32 directory because the service runs under an EXE located there. This property accounts for that by using one method call for running in the IDE, and another for running compiled.


Boolean AmIRunningInTheIDE (Get only)
This method will return true if this project, or any project that calls this component as compiled code, is running under the IDE. This method returns false if no IDE is being used.


Boolean IsInDomain()
Returns true if the computer running the code is in a domain. False if it is not.


String GetComputerDomainName()
Returns the Domain which the computer is joined to. Note: If user is logged in as local account, the domain of computer is still returned. Returns a String with the domain name if it's joined, or an empty String if it isn't.


String GetFullComputerDomainName()
Returns the full domain name instead of the alias.


Boolean IsDaylightSavingsTime(DateTime dtmToTest)
True if the datetime supplied falls within the period of Daylight Savings.


Boolean IsDaylightSavingsTime()
True if it is currently daylight savings time.


String CurrentTimeZoneDaylightName (Get only)
Name of the current time zone for daylight savings.


String CurrentTimeZoneName (Get only)
Name of the current time zone, regardless of daylight savings.


Int32 Asc(String strChar)
Same functionality as the VB6 ASC function - give it a character, get back the ASCIII decimal number.


String Hex(Int32 lngValue)
Same as the VB6 function. Converts a 32 bit integer to a String hex value.


Int32 GetCurrentCPUUsage()
Gets the current % processor time.


Int32 AvailableRAMinMB()
Returns available RAM MBs.


PingReply Ping(String strHostName, Int32 lngTimeout)
Pings the specified server synchronously. Returns a PingReply instance indicating whether or not the operation was successful.


void GetLinearDistances(ref List<AddressGeoData> objAddressList)
This function uses the Haversine formula to calculate linear distance between two sets of latitude and longitude, with an adjustment for the earth's radius based on the latitude. Haversine is used instead of Vincenty’s formula to keep the computation simpler and less processor intensive. This function takes a List of address geo data instances and processes them, updating the individual class instances in the List for the linear distance property.


Double GetLinearDistance(double Latitude1,
double Longitude1,
double Altitude1,
double Latitude2,
double Longitude2,
double Altitude2,
DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum lngUnitsOfMeasure)
This function uses the Haversine formula to calculate linear distance between two sets of latitude and longitude, with an adjustment for the earth's radius based on the latitude. Haversine is used instead of Vincenty’s formula to keep the computation simpler and less processor intensive. This overload allows the caller to specify what units of measure is desired for the return value.


Double GetLinearDistance(Double Latitude1,
Double Longitude1,
Double Altitude1,
Double Latitude2,
Double Longitude2,
Double Altitude2,
Boolean UseMiles)
This function uses the Haversine formula to calculate linear distance between two sets of latitude and longitude, with an adjustment for the earth's radius based on the latitude. Haversine is used instead of Vincenty’s formula to keep the computation simpler and less processor intensive. This overload allows the user to choose between miles and kilometers (UseMiles param):


Double GetLinearDistance(Double Latitude1,
Double Longitude1,
Double Latitude2,
Double Longitude2,
DistanceUnitsOfMeasureEnum UnitsOfMeasure)
This function uses the Haversine formula to calculate linear distance between two sets of latitude and longitude, but without providing altitude (all calculations assume linear over the curve of the earth at sea level) with an adjustment for the earth's radius based on the latitude. Haversine is used instead of Vincenty’s formula to keep the computation simpler and less processor intensive. This overload allows the user to choose what unit of measure.


Double RadianToDegree(Double Coordinate)
Converts radians to degrees.


Double CelciusToFahrenheit(Double DegC)
Converts Celsius to Fahrenheit.


Double FahrenheitToCelsius(Double DegF)
Converts Fahrenheit to Celsius.


String StringToBase64(String String2Convert)
Convert String to Base64.


String Base64ToString(String ByteString64)
Convert Base64String to String.


List<ManagementObject> GetNetworkPrinters()
Gets a list of network printers using one ManagementObject instance per printer in a List object.


void SetIntBitValue(ref Int32 intValue, Int32 bitPlaceValue, Boolean setBitOn)
Helper method to set bit value of an Int on/off.


Boolean GetIntBitValue(Int32 intValue, Int32 bitPlaceValue)
Helper method to get the state of a bit value of an Int.


String GetStackInfo()
This gets the module, function, line number, and column number info in a String. This is useful when logging and creating exceptions to define exactly where something occurred.


String GetStackInfo(Exception ex)
This gets the module, function, line number, and column number info in a String based on an exception. This is useful when logging and creating exceptions to define exactly where something occurred.


String GetFullDateTimeStampForFileName(DateTime dtmDate)
This returns a String with a consistent datetime format for a filename.


Boolean IsFileText(out Encoding lngEncoding, String strFileName, Int32 lngNumCharactersToRead)
Detect if a file is text and detects the encoding.


Int32 GetTotalHDDFreeSpace(String pDriveName)
Returns MB of free disk space.


Int32 GetTotalHDDSize(String pDriveName)
Returns MB of total space.


Int32 GetMinPasswordLength()
Returns the minimum password length from a domain, if one exists. If no domain exists, -1 is returned.


Boolean IsIPAddress(String pValue, out IPAddress pIPValue)
Checks to see if a string is an IPv4 or IPv6 address, and returns an IPAddress object as an out parameter.


String AssemblyTitle (Get only)
Title of the .NET assembly.


String AssemblyVersion (Get only)
Version of the .NET assembly.


String AssemblyDescription (Get only)
Description of the .NET assembly.


String AssemblyProduct (Get only)
Product description of the .NET assembly.


String AssemblyCopyright (Get only)
Copyright string used by the .NET assembly.


String AssemblyCompany (Get only)
Company that owns the .NET assembly.


Boolean WriteToLog(String logFileName, String mainMessage, String secondMessage)
Method that performs a log write where the file is tab delimited and has a column header line.

modified 6-May-20 20:48pm.

GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
Richard Deeming6-May-20 0:48
mveRichard Deeming6-May-20 0:48 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
MSBassSinger6-May-20 3:30
professionalMSBassSinger6-May-20 3:30 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
Richard MacCutchan6-May-20 5:12
mveRichard MacCutchan6-May-20 5:12 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
MSBassSinger6-May-20 11:48
professionalMSBassSinger6-May-20 11:48 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
Richard MacCutchan6-May-20 22:58
mveRichard MacCutchan6-May-20 22:58 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
ZurdoDev6-May-20 3:36
professionalZurdoDev6-May-20 3:36 
GeneralRe: .NET Standard Helper Library - JHelpers Pin
MSBassSinger6-May-20 11:48
professionalMSBassSinger6-May-20 11:48 
GeneralSVN Bridge Pin
CopWorker21-Apr-20 3:19
CopWorker21-Apr-20 3:19 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
CHill6021-Apr-20 3:27
mveCHill6021-Apr-20 3:27 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
CopWorker21-Apr-20 3:35
CopWorker21-Apr-20 3:35 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
CHill6021-Apr-20 3:39
mveCHill6021-Apr-20 3:39 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
Richard MacCutchan21-Apr-20 6:51
mveRichard MacCutchan21-Apr-20 6:51 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
Richard Deeming21-Apr-20 8:39
mveRichard Deeming21-Apr-20 8:39 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
Richard MacCutchan21-Apr-20 9:15
mveRichard MacCutchan21-Apr-20 9:15 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
CopWorker21-Apr-20 19:59
CopWorker21-Apr-20 19:59 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
charles henington3-Jun-22 5:41
charles henington3-Jun-22 5:41 
GeneralRe: SVN Bridge Pin
Richard MacCutchan3-Jun-22 22:16
mveRichard MacCutchan3-Jun-22 22:16 

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