Visual Basic String Array Alphabetical Sort

Question

I am trying to make a basic console application that allows the user to input 3 names, and then sort it alphabetically. This is not working.

Here is my code.

Dim names(2) As String
    Console.WriteLine("Name 1 ?")
    names(0) = Console.ReadLine
    Console.WriteLine("Name 2 ?")
    names(1) = Console.ReadLine
    Console.WriteLine("Name 3 ?")
    names(2) = Console.ReadLine
    Array.Sort(names)

    Console.WriteLine("Your names are:" & names)  

The console is not printing the code.

Answer 1

Using LINQ:

Dim namesSorted() As String = names.OrderBy(Function(x) x).ToArray

With this approach you can change sort criteria to anything you want, ie word length, ascending/descending. To print the results:

Console.WriteLine("Your names are:" & String.Join(","c, namesSorted))

Also, I suggest you use List instead, then you are not limited to just 3 names, and you don't need to know how many names you will be processing in advance. LINQ syntax will be the same.

Answer 2

Try something like this...

Dim names(2) As String
Console.WriteLine("Name 1 ?")
names(0) = Console.ReadLine
Console.WriteLine("Name 2 ?")
names(1) = Console.ReadLine
Console.WriteLine("Name 3 ?")
names(2) = Console.ReadLine
Array.Sort(names)
Console.WriteLine("Your names are:")
For x = 0 To 2
    Console.WriteLine(names(x)) 
Next x