Setting shared values in a for/next loop - vb.net

Question

I have a shared array that needs a calculation for each index. Right now, the array is initialized in New() and executes each time an object is created, which is redundant. How can I set it up so that the array is only initialized once, when it is created? Something like a static block in Java?
I didn't initially include the code because I thought this was just a simple question. The constructor is called 64 times (working with values of bits) and he relevant code is :
' Decimal value of each bit
Public Shared bitValue(63) As Long
Public Sub New()
' Other non-relevant code here.
For index = 0 To 63
bitValue(index) = 1L << index
Next
End Sub
Just in case you are wondering what the heck I'm doing, I'm rewriting a Java program that I did that works with casting and bitwise operators. As part of learning VB, I'm working on a translation. You can get an idea of where it is headed by going to http://sourceforge.net/projects/javabitwise/.

Answer 1

You can initialize it right away
Class Test1
Private Shared _list As New List(Of String) From {"1", "2"}
End Class
Or do it in a shared constructor
Class Test2
Private Shared _list As List(Of String)
Shared Sub New()
_list = New List(Of String)
_list.Add("1")
_list.Add("2")
End Sub
End Class
Or check if the value is initialized or not in the new
Class Test3
Private Shared _list As List(Of String)
Public Sub New()
' Use synclock
If _list Is Nothing Then
_list = New List(Of String)
_list.Add("1")
_list.Add("2")
End If
End Sub
End Class
Or put your list in a singleton

Answer 2

Here's a quick example of the Singleton approach. We access the class via its Instance() function:
Public Class Form1
Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Debug.Print(KibblesAndBits.Instance.bitValue(10))
End Sub
End Class
Public Class KibblesAndBits
Private Shared _Kibbles As KibblesAndBits = Nothing
Public Shared Function Instance() As KibblesAndBits
If IsNothing(_Kibbles) Then
_Kibbles = New KibblesAndBits ' the private constructor will now fire and initialize
End If
Return _Kibbles
End Function
Public bitValue(63) As Long
Private Sub New() ' Private Constructor means you can't instantiate it directly
For index = 0 To bitValue.Length - 1
bitValue(index) = index
Next
End Sub
' ... other standard Class code ...
End Class