Dynamically Adding data to jagged array? - asp.net

Question

I have a recursive function that creates a list of items based on their hierarchy(integer is used to determine which level 1 to 10 max). There can be x number of items in any given level. I want to store all the items that belong the same level at the corresponding index of the jagged array. The items aren't retrieved based on their level so the level can be jumping around all of over the place as the function recurses.
Function RecurseParts(lngPartID1, lngLevel) As Object
'this function will recursivley print the parts lists for the part ID passed in
If IsNumeric(lngPartID1 & "") Then
Dim objRSTemp As Object = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset")
objRSTemp.CursorLocation = adUseClient
objRSTemp.Open(PART_LIST_SQL & lngPartID1, objConn, adOpenForwardOnly, adLockReadOnly)
'objRSTemp.ActiveConnection = Nothing
If objRSTemp.eof And objRSTemp.bof Then
'PROBLEM, WE HAVE NO RECORDS
Response.Write("There Were No Parts For This Assembly (Part ID #:" & lngPartID1 & ")")
Else
'make output
Dim strTemp As String = String.Empty
If lngLevel <> 1 Then strTemp = " style=""display: none;"">"
Response.Write("<table id='tblparts" & lngCurrentLineNum & "' border=""0"" cellspacing=""0"" width=""100%"" cellpadding=""1"" " & strTemp)
Do Until objRSTemp.EOF
'increase the current line num
lngCurrentLineNum = lngCurrentLineNum + 1
'get current Part ID
lngCurrentPartID = objRSTemp("PartID").value
'reset flag
blnIsAssm = False
'loop thru array of assemblies to see if this is a parent
For ctr = 0 To UBound(arrAssmList, 2)
If arrAssmList(0, ctr) = lngCurrentPartID Then
'the current part is an assembly
blnIsAssm = True
Exit For
ElseIf arrAssmList(0, ctr) > lngCurrentPartID Then
Exit For
End If
Next
If blnIsAssm Then
'recurse these parts
If RecurseParts(objRSTemp("PartID").value, lngLevel + 1) = True Then
'awesome
End If
End If
objRSTemp.MoveNext()
Loop
Response.Write("</table>")
End If
If objRSTemp.State Then objRSTemp.Close()
objRSTemp = Nothing
'RETURN FUNCTION
RecurseParts = True
Else
'no PART ID passed in
Response.Write("No Part ID Passed In")
RecurseParts = False
End If
End Function

Answer 1

It sounds like a Dictionary would work here.
Dim myDict As New Dictionary(Of Integer, List(Of String))
In your recursive function. The parts in the {} are the parts you have to supply.
'this builds the keys as you go
If Not myDict.ContainsKey({{key} -> your Integer}) Then
'add key and use the From statement to add a value if know at this time
myDict.Add({key}, New List(Of String) From {value})
Else
myDict({key}).Add({string to insert at this level})
End If
List of keys in reverse order:
Dim keys = myDict.Keys.OrderByDescending(Function(k) k)

Answer 2

I was able to create a List to store all the partIDs and their levels.
Dim arrSubID As New List(Of List(Of Integer))()
Function RecurseParts(paramenters)
For ctr = 0 To UBound(arrAssmList, 2)
If arrAssmList(0, ctr) = lngCurrentPartID Then
'checks whether we need a new index in the list
If lngLevel + 1 > arrSubID.Count Then
arrSubID.Add(New List(Of Integer))
End If
'adds the partID where it belongs!
arrSubID(lngLevel).Add(lngCurrentPartID)
blnIsAssm = True
Exit For
ElseIf arrAssmList(0, ctr) > lngCurrentPartID Then
Exit For
End If
Next
End Function