retrieve value from hashtable with clone of key; C#
- by Johnny
I would like to know if there is any possible way to retrieve an item from a hashtable using a key that is identical to the actual key, but a different object. I understand why it is probably not possible, but I would like to see if there is any tricky way to do it.
My problem arises from the fact that, being as stupid as I am, I created hashtables with int[] as the keys, with the integer arrays containing indices representing spatial position. I somehow knew that I needed to create a new int[] every time I wanted to add a new entry, but neglected to think that when I generated spatial coordinate arrays later they would be worthless in retrieving the values from my hashtables.
Now I am trying to decide whether to rearrange things so that I can store my values in ArrayLists, or whether to search through the list of keys in the Hashtable for the one I need every time I want to get a value, neither of the options being very cool.
Unless of course there is a way to get //1 to work like //2!
Thanks in advance.
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Hashtable dog = new Hashtable();
//1
int[] man = new int[] { 5 };
dog.Add(man, "hello");
int[] cat = new int[] { 5 };
Console.WriteLine(dog.ContainsKey(cat)); //false
//2
int boy = 5;
dog.Add(boy, "wtf");
int kitten = 5;
Console.WriteLine(dog.ContainsKey(kitten)); //true;
}
