[Question] How to use weighted-levenshtein on VB.net?

[PeterCodar]

I would like to use the variant "weighted-levenshtein" https://github.com/feature23/StringSimilarity.NET#weighted-levenshtein

If I try to use this class (converted from your example code):

Public Class ExampleCharSub
    Inherits F23.StringSimilarity.ICharacterSubstitution

    Public Function Cost(ByVal c1 As Char, ByVal c2 As Char) As Double
        If c1 = "t"c AndAlso c2 = "r"c Then Return 0.5
        Return 1.0
    End Function
End Class

I get this error: Classes can inherit only from other classes

How do I have to define ExampleCharSub in VB.net?

[paulirwin]

Hi @PeterCodar, thanks for the question. The error you're getting is because ICharacterSubstitution is an interface, not a class, so you need to use the Implements keyword to implement an interface, rather than Inherits. More on interfaces in VB.NET: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/visual-basic/programming-guide/language-features/interfaces/

Let me know if that helps.

[PeterCodar]

Thank you for your hint about the interface!

It seems that I have found a working solution for my VB project:

Public Class ExampleCharSub
    Implements F23.StringSimilarity.ICharacterSubstitution

    Private Function ICharacterSubstitution_Cost(c1 As Char, c2 As Char) As Double Implements F23.StringSimilarity.ICharacterSubstitution.Cost
        If c1 = "t"c AndAlso c2 = "r"c Then Return 0.5
        Return 1.0
    End Function
End Class

Im not sure why I have to "duplicate" the Implements part, but otherwise it doesn't let me compile the code.

This value reduction for special characters is really useful, because that way I can exclude some special characters like the various apostrophes or character replacements for non valid windows file name characters (Example ":" and "ː"). This fine tuning let me "weight" the character differences much better.

Thanks again for your library and your support!