How to split a string into N parts?

Question

I'm trying to split a string into only two parts where the delimiter character can occur multiple times.

The code below doesn't work as I'm not allowed to specify a limit option:

Dim output = input.Split("=", 1)

Any ideas?

Answer 1

You can use the String.Split(Char[], Int32, StringSplitOptions) overload.

Notice that the first parameter is a Char array, not a single character. The second parameter enables you to specify the maximum number of substrings to return.

VB.NET

Option Strict On

Important: You should always have the strict compiler option set to On.

Dim input As String = "aaaa=bbbb=cccc=dddd"
Dim separators As Char() = { "="c }
Dim count As Integer = 2
Dim options As StringSplitOptions = StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries
Dim output As String() = input.Split(separators, count, options)

For Each part As String In output
    Console.WriteLine(part)
Next

C#

string input = "aaaa=bbbb=cccc=dddd";
char[] separators = new[] { '=' };
int count = 2;
StringSplitOptions options = StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries;
string[] output = input.Split(separators, count, options);

foreach (string part in output)
{
    Console.WriteLine(part);
}

This will return an array containing two elements:

aaaa
bbbb=cccc=dddd