VB2010 List(Of String) to multiple labels - vb.net

Question

I have 64 panels, each containing two strings of data. For testing purposes I used a random number generator to provide my data.
I created a list of strings (64 strings total, containing "," separating the two pieces of data per panel) and now need to write them to each label.
I need to find a way to split the string data (which I know how) and write to each label.
For example: the first string will be split and added to the first panel called Label1a and Label1b, 2nd string split to Label2a and Label2b, etc..
Dim LotData As New List(Of String)
Dim randomnumber1 As Integer, randomnumber2 As Integer, randomchance As Integer
Dim slotnumber As String
Dim sbailes As String
Dim stemp As String
Randomize()
Dim n As Integer
For n = 1 To 64
randomnumber1 = CInt(Rnd() * 1000000000)
randomnumber2 = CInt(Rnd() * 300)
randomchance = CInt(Rnd() * 1000)
slotnumber = Convert.ToString(randomnumber1)
'approximately 50% of the lots will be empty in this test
If randomchance >= 500 Then
sbailes = CStr(randomnumber2)
Else
sbailes = "0"
End If
LotData.Add(slotnumber & "," & sbailes)
Next
My only solution is to write 128 lines of code, manually adding each string in but I know there must be a better solution than that...

Answer 1

You would want to get a control by string name. I have some methods that help to do this here (put them in a module)
<Extension()> _
Public Function ChildControls(ByVal parent As Control) As ArrayList
Return ChildControls(Of Control)(parent)
End Function
<Extension()> _
Public Function ChildControls(Of T)(ByVal parent As Control) As ArrayList
Dim result As New ArrayList()
For Each ctrl As Control In parent.Controls
If TypeOf ctrl Is T Then result.Add(ctrl)
result.AddRange(ChildControls(Of T)(ctrl))
Next
Return result
End Function
Public Function GetControlByName(ByRef parent As Control, ByVal name As String) As Control
For Each c As Control In parent.ChildControls
If c.Name = name Then
Return c
End If
Next
Return Nothing
End Function
Then in your method, you can get the control by name, depending on an integer counting from 1 to 64 like so:
For i As Integer = 1 To 64
CType(GetControlByName(Me, "Label" & i.ToString() & "A"), Label).Text = _
LotData(i).Split(",").FirstOrDefault()
CType(GetControlByName(Me, "Label" & i.ToString() & "B"), Label).Text = _
LotData(i).Split(",").LastOrDefault()
Next
Oh! You can also save yourself the trouble of adding all the controls to the form at design time by doing something like this:
For i As Integer = 1 To 64
Dim lblA As New Label()
Dim lblB As New Label()
lblA.Name = "Label" & i.ToString() & "A"
lblB.Name = "Label" & i.ToString() & "B"
' do something about Locations here
Me.Controls.Add(lblA)
Me.Controls.Add(lblB)
' you could even add them to your panel.controls
Next
(don't forget exception handling)