Array of variables declared as string - vb.net

Question

I have a query regarding creating an array of variables declared as string.
Below is my code. On debugging, the variables show no value.
Need help..
Module Module1
Public Status, PartStat, HomeStat, ClampStat, SldCylStat, PrsCylP1Stat,
PrsCylP2Stat, PrsCylP3Stat, PrsCylP4Stat, PunchStat, SysInProc, Home1,
Home2, Home3, CyclTim, TrqP1Stat, TrqP2Stat, TrqP3Stat, TrqP4Stat,
AngleP1Stat, AngleP2Stat, AngleP3Stat, AngleP4Stat As String
Function AutoReadStatus()
Dim StatArray = {HomeStat, ClampStat, SldCylStat, Home1, PrsCylP4Stat,
PrsCylP2Stat, Home2, PrsCylP3Stat, PrsCylP1Stat, Home3, PunchStat,
AngleP4Stat, AngleP2Stat, AngleP3Stat, AngleP1Stat, TrqP4Stat,
TrqP2Stat, TrqP3Stat, TrqP1Stat}
Status = ReadMultiReg(FormAuto.SP1, "03", "1258", "0013")
For i = 0 To ((Status.Length / 4) - 1)
StatArray(i) = CInt("&H" & Status.Substring(i * 4, 4))
Next
Return Nothing
End Function
End Module
It is not even showing the index of any variable from above array..
Label1.Text = Array.IndexOf(StatArray, SldCylStat)

Answer 1

When you assign a new value to the item inside the array, you assign a new value to the item inside the array (pun intended).
What that means is that item's array now reference the string (or rather the Integer implicitely converted to string as you don't have Option Strict On) you gave and the precedent reference (on your public field) is dropped.
Test this sample code and I think you will understand
Public item As String
Sub Test()
Dim array = {item}
Console.WriteLine(array(0) Is item) ' True
array(0) = "new value"
Console.WriteLine(array(0) Is item) ' False
End Sub
You can see now array(0) reference another object than the one referenced by the item field
As for how to solve it,yYou could pass all those string ByRef that way assignment inside the method would reflect outside of it but that would be tedious.
A "better" way IMO, would be to make a type (a Class) to hold all those string and pass an instance of that type to your method, that way you just mutate the same existing object.
Quick, contrived example :
Class SomeType
Property Item As String
End Class
Sub Test(instance As SomeType)
instance.Item = "new value"
End Sub
' Usage
Dim sample As New SomeType
' here sample.Item is Nothing
Test(sample)
' here sample.Item is "new value"