How do you handle PropertyChange for a boolean value? - vb.net

Question

I'm creating a program in which I have a publicly defined boolean value
Public boolOverallStatus As Boolean = True
and I need to execute some code whenever the boolean value changes. In previous applications, an actual form item change handled this, but it can be changed by several different subs.
How would I handle this? I'm looking through msdn, but it's rather confusing.
In a nutshell: How to execute code when the event of a boolean value changing occurs.

Answer 1

Make it a property instead.
Private _boolOverallStatus As Boolean = True
Property boolOverallStatus As Boolean
Get
Return _boolOverallStatus
End Get
Set(ByVal value as Boolean)
If value <> _boolOverallStatus Then
_boolOverallStatus = value
'// handle more code changes here.'
End If
End Set
End Property

Answer 2

I use the following pattern which resembles what Microsoft do for most of their Changed events.
Class MyClass
Public Property OverallStatus As Boolean
Get
Return _OverallStatus
End Get
Set (value As Boolean)
If _OverallStatus = value Then Exit Property
_OverallStatus = value
OnOverallStatusChanged(EventArgs.Empty)
End Set
End Property
Private _OverallStatus As Boolean = False
Protected Overridable Sub OnOverallStatusChanged(e As EventArgs)
RaiseEvent OverallStatusChanged(Me, e)
End Sub
Public Event OverallStatusChanged As EventHandler
End Class
In VB, you can handle the event using the WithEvents and Handles keywords:
Class MyParent
Private WithEvents myObject As New MyClass()
Private Sub myobject_OverallStatusChanged(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles myObject.OverallStatusChanged
' TODO: Write handler.
End Sub
End Class
The OnOverallStatusChanged function is useful for inheriting classes to get first shot at responding to the change.
Class MyOtherClass
Inherits MyClass
Protected Overrides Sub OnOverallStatusChanged(e As EventArgs)
' TODO: Do my stuff first.
MyBase.OnOverallStatusChanged(e)
End Sub
End Class

Answer 3

Use public properties instead of public variables. You can then put logic in the Set method of the property to execute whenever the property is.. well set.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/65zdfbdt%28v=VS.100%29.aspx
Private number As Integer = 0
Public Property MyNumber As Integer
' Retrieves number.
Get
Return number
End Get
' Assigns to number.
Set
CallLogicHere()
number = value
End Set
End Property

Answer 4

You could also define an event, which is fired each time the status changes. The advantage is, that changes can be handled by the parts of the application that depend on this status. Otherwise the logic would have to be implemented together with the status.
Other parts of the application can subscribe the event with AddHandler.
Public Class OverallStatusChangedEventArgs
Inherits EventArgs
Public Sub New(newStatus As Boolean)
Me.NewStatus = newStatus
End Sub
Private m_NewStatus As Boolean
Public Property NewStatus() As Boolean
Get
Return m_NewStatus
End Get
Private Set
m_NewStatus = Value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Module modGlobals
Public Event OverallStatusChanged As EventHandler(Of OverallStatusChangedEventArgs)
Private m_boolOverallStatus As Boolean = True
Public Property BoolOverallStatus() As Boolean
Get
Return m_boolOverallStatus
End Get
Set
If Value <> m_boolOverallStatus Then
m_boolOverallStatus = Value
OnOverallStatusChanged(Value)
End If
End Set
End Property
Private Sub OnOverallStatusChanged(newStatus As Boolean)
RaiseEvent OverallStatusChanged(GetType(modGlobals), New OverallStatusChangedEventArgs(newStatus))
End Sub
End Module