Enhancing Legacy VBScript Methods with Modern Alternatives: Right$ and Left$

In the realm of programming, evolution is constant, and embracing modern methodologies can significantly enhance code efficiency and readability. In this blog post, we explore simple replacements for traditional VBScript methods, offering improved alternatives that leverage the power of modern programming paradigms.

Left$: A Modern Twist

In VBScript, the Left$ function extracts a specified number of characters from the left side of a string. However, with the advent of more sophisticated programming languages like C#, we can achieve the same result using the Substring method.

' VBScript
Dim string
string = "Frank!"
Left$, left most 2 characters: Left(string, 2)

Now, let’s introduce a more elegant and efficient alternative using C# syntax:

// C#
string str = "Frank!";
string leftSubstring = str.Substring(0, 2);

By employing the Substring method in C#, we achieve the same outcome with concise syntax, enhancing code readability and maintainability.

Right$: A Modern Approach

Similarly, the Right$ function in VBScript retrieves a specified number of characters from the right side of a string. Embracing modern programming principles, we can replace this functionality using C# array indexing.

' VBScript
Dim string
string = "Frank!"
Right$, right most 1 character: Mid(string, Len(string) - 1, 1)

Let’s transition to a more efficient and intuitive approach utilizing C#:

// C#
string str = "Frank!";
char rightChar = str[str.Length - 1];

By leveraging array indexing in C#, we elegantly obtain the last character of the string, simplifying code structure and enhancing performance.