Function ConvertToUnixTimeStamp(input_datetime) 'As String 
  Dim d
  d = CDate(input_datetime) 
  ConvertToUnixTimeStamp = CStr(DateDiff("s", "01/01/1970 00:00:00", d)) 
End Function

Then, to get back the datetime from the Unix timestamp use the following code:

Function ConvertUnixTimeStampToDateTime(input_unix_timestamp) 'As String [regular datetime] 
  ConvertUnixTimeStampToDateTime = CStr(DateAdd("s", input_unix_timestamp, "01/01/1970 00:00:00")) 
End Function

The post Convert a DateTime string to a Unix timestamp in VbScript / Classic ASP first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

Function Base64Encode(sText)
  Dim oXML, oNode
  Set oXML = CreateObject("Msxml2.DOMDocument.3.0")
  Set oNode = oXML.CreateElement("base64")
  oNode.dataType = "bin.base64"
  oNode.nodeTypedValue = Stream_StringToBinary(sText)
  Base64Encode = oNode.text
  Set oNode = Nothing
  Set oXML = Nothing
End Function

Function Base64Decode(ByVal vCode)
  Dim oXML, oNode
  Set oXML = CreateObject("Msxml2.DOMDocument.3.0")
  Set oNode = oXML.CreateElement("base64")
  oNode.dataType = "bin.base64"
  oNode.text = vCode
  Base64Decode = Stream_BinaryToString(oNode.nodeTypedValue)
  Set oNode = Nothing
  Set oXML = Nothing
End Function

Private Function Stream_StringToBinary(Text)
  Const adTypeText = 2
  Const adTypeBinary = 1
  Dim BinaryStream 'As New Stream
  Set BinaryStream = CreateObject("ADODB.Stream")
  BinaryStream.Type = adTypeText
  BinaryStream.CharSet = "us-ascii"
  BinaryStream.Open
  BinaryStream.WriteText Text
  BinaryStream.Position = 0
  BinaryStream.Type = adTypeBinary
  BinaryStream.Position = 0
  Stream_StringToBinary = BinaryStream.Read
  Set BinaryStream = Nothing
End Function

Private Function Stream_BinaryToString(Binary)
  Const adTypeText = 2
  Const adTypeBinary = 1
  Dim BinaryStream 'As New Stream
  Set BinaryStream = CreateObject("ADODB.Stream")
  BinaryStream.Type = adTypeBinary
  BinaryStream.Open
  BinaryStream.Write Binary
  BinaryStream.Position = 0
  BinaryStream.Type = adTypeText
  BinaryStream.CharSet = "us-ascii"
  Stream_BinaryToString = BinaryStream.ReadText
  Set BinaryStream = Nothing
End Function

The post Base64 encoding / decoding functions in VbScript / Classic ASP first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
<!–#include file="AssociativeArrayClass.asp" –>
<%
Dim Person, God
Set Person = New AssociativeArray
Set God = New AssociativeArray
Person("name") = "Max"
Person("surname") = "Vergelli"
God("name") = "Jesus"
God("surname") = "Christ"
Dim World
Set World = New AssociativeArray
World(1) = Person
World(2) = God
response.Write World.ToXML()
%>
[/sourcecode]

And You will get out the following XML:

[sourcecode language=”xml”]
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<array>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[1]]></name>
<value>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[name]]></name>
<value><![CDATA[Max]]></value>
</key>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[surname]]></name>
<value><![CDATA[Vergelli]]></value>
</key>
</value>
</key>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[2]]></name>
<value>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[name]]></name>
<value><![CDATA[Jesus]]></value>
</key>
<key>
<name><![CDATA[surname]]></name>
<value><![CDATA[Christ]]></value>
</key>
</value>
</key>
</array>
[/sourcecode]

The post How to export an ASP Associative Array to XML first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

It is possible also load in an associative-array the data coming from MySQL or MS Access databases, then You can programmatically manage the structured data; You can also export associative arrays to XML.

Associative arrays are usefull when it is necessary manage many variables at once (for example when we pass multiple values at once to a method/function) or just to store data in a well structured array and reusing  its values anytime.

The post VBScript Class to create easly Associative Arrays in ASP like in PHP first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

This is a known problem and it occurs when we declare and instantiate a Bitmap object and destruct that like in the following code:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

‘create a bitmap object
Dim myBitmap As New Bitmap("c:myimage.jpg")

‘editing image routines, right here
‘…

‘release all Bitmap object resources
myBitmap.Dispose()

[/sourcecode]

The above code it is formally correct, however in same circumstances the .net garbage collector cannot recognize bitmap’s disposing; Dispose() method leaves the image file in an unusable state, then as MSDN said, we MUST release explicitly any reference after a Dispose() call;

with the following code, You will not encounter any problem, and after Dispose() You can edit, move, delete the image file by the filesystem functions…

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
‘create a bitmap object
Dim myBitmap As New Bitmap("c:myimage.jpg")

‘editing image routines, right here
‘…

‘release image reference
While myBitmap IsNot Nothing
myBitmap.Dispose()
myBitmap = Nothing ‘<– tells .net garbage collector to release resources
End While

[/sourcecode]

Happy image editing! 🙂

The post vb.net Bitmap object locks images (impossible to move/delete jpg/gif files) – .Dispose() Method common problem first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

Normal black shadow to the bottom right corner
Red shadow to the bottom right corner
Shadow to the bottom left corner
Shadow to the top left corner
Shadow to the top right corner
Shadow with Opacity: “128”
Shadow with Opacity: “128” and Softness: “8”
Shadow with Opacity: “128”, Softness: “8” and Distance: “10”
Shadow without rounded edges

Copy and paste my following vb.net code in your application. it does all the hard job…

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

‘ShadowDirection:
‘ TOP_RIGHT = 1
‘ BOTTOM_RIGHT = 2
‘ BOTTOM_LEFT = 3
‘ TOP_LEFT = 4
‘ShadowOpacity: from 0 to 255
‘ShadowSoftness: from 1 to 30
‘ShadowDistance: from 1 to 50
‘ShadowRoundedEdges: True or False

‘Note:
‘If You set "transparent" as background color, this is replaced with white color.

Public Enum ShadowDirections As Integer
TOP_RIGHT = 1
BOTTOM_RIGHT = 2
BOTTOM_LEFT = 3
TOP_LEFT = 4
End Enum

<STAThread()> _
Public Sub DropShadow(ByRef SourceImage As Drawing.Bitmap, _
ByVal ShadowColor As Drawing.Color, _
ByVal BackgroundColor As Drawing.Color, _
Optional ByVal ShadowDirection As ShadowDirections = _
ShadowDirections.BOTTOM_RIGHT, _
Optional ByVal ShadowOpacity As Integer = 190, _
Optional ByVal ShadowSoftness As Integer = 4, _
Optional ByVal ShadowDistance As Integer = 5, _
Optional ByVal ShadowRoundedEdges As Boolean = True)
Dim ImgTarget As Bitmap = Nothing
Dim ImgShadow As Bitmap = Nothing
Dim g As Graphics = Nothing
Try
If SourceImage IsNot Nothing Then
If ShadowOpacity < 0 Then
ShadowOpacity = 0
ElseIf ShadowOpacity > 255 Then
ShadowOpacity = 255
End If
If ShadowSoftness < 1 Then
ShadowSoftness = 1
ElseIf ShadowSoftness > 30 Then
ShadowSoftness = 30
End If
If ShadowDistance < 1 Then
ShadowDistance = 1
ElseIf ShadowDistance > 50 Then
ShadowDistance = 50
End If
If ShadowColor = Color.Transparent Then
ShadowColor = Color.Black
End If
If BackgroundColor = Color.Transparent Then
BackgroundColor = Color.White
End If

‘get shadow
Dim shWidth As Integer = CInt(SourceImage.Width / ShadowSoftness)
Dim shHeight As Integer = CInt(SourceImage.Height / ShadowSoftness)
ImgShadow = New Bitmap(shWidth, shHeight)
g = Graphics.FromImage(ImgShadow)
g.Clear(Color.Transparent)
g.InterpolationMode = InterpolationMode.HighQualityBicubic
g.SmoothingMode = SmoothingMode.AntiAlias
Dim sre As Integer = 0
If ShadowRoundedEdges = True Then sre = 1
g.FillRectangle(New SolidBrush(Color.FromArgb(ShadowOpacity, ShadowColor)), _
sre, sre, shWidth, shHeight)
g.Dispose()

‘draw shadow
Dim d_shWidth As Integer = SourceImage.Width + ShadowDistance
Dim d_shHeight As Integer = SourceImage.Height + ShadowDistance
ImgTarget = New Bitmap(d_shWidth, d_shHeight)
g = Graphics.FromImage(ImgTarget)
g.Clear(BackgroundColor)
g.InterpolationMode = InterpolationMode.HighQualityBicubic
g.SmoothingMode = SmoothingMode.AntiAlias
g.DrawImage(ImgShadow, New Rectangle(0, 0, d_shWidth, d_shHeight), _
0, 0, ImgShadow.Width, ImgShadow.Height, GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
Select Case ShadowDirection
Case ShadowDirections.BOTTOM_RIGHT
g.DrawImage(SourceImage, _
New Rectangle(0, 0, SourceImage.Width,SourceImage.Height), _
0, 0, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height, GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
Case ShadowDirections.BOTTOM_LEFT
g.Dispose()
ImgTarget.RotateFlip(RotateFlipType.RotateNoneFlipX)
g = Graphics.FromImage(ImgTarget)
g.DrawImage(SourceImage, _
New Rectangle(ShadowDistance, 0, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height), _
0, 0, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height, GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
Case ShadowDirections.TOP_LEFT
g.Dispose()
ImgTarget.RotateFlip(RotateFlipType.Rotate180FlipNone)
g = Graphics.FromImage(ImgTarget)
g.DrawImage(SourceImage, _
New Rectangle(ShadowDistance, ShadowDistance, _
SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height), _
0, 0, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height, GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
Case ShadowDirections.TOP_RIGHT
g.Dispose()
ImgTarget.RotateFlip(RotateFlipType.RotateNoneFlipY)
g = Graphics.FromImage(ImgTarget)
g.DrawImage(SourceImage, _
New Rectangle(0, ShadowDistance, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height), _
0, 0, SourceImage.Width, SourceImage.Height, GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
End Select

g.Dispose()
g = Nothing
ImgShadow.Dispose()
ImgShadow = Nothing

SourceImage = New Bitmap(ImgTarget)
ImgTarget.Dispose()
ImgTarget = Nothing
End If

Catch ex As Exception
If g IsNot Nothing Then
g.Dispose()
g = Nothing
End If
If ImgShadow IsNot Nothing Then
ImgShadow.Dispose()
ImgShadow = Nothing
End If
If ImgTarget IsNot Nothing Then
ImgTarget.Dispose()
ImgTarget = Nothing
End If
End Try

End Sub
[/sourcecode]

Besides, You can use this sub as in the following example (take a look at the comments…) :

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Dim file_input As String = "c:myfile.jpg"
Dim file_output As String = "c:myfilewithshadow.jpg"

‘get bitmap…
Dim sourceImage As System.Drawing.Image = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(file_input)
Dim format As System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat = sourceImage.RawFormat
Dim bmpOut As System.Drawing.Bitmap = New Bitmap(sourceImage)

‘release any reference to the original file…
While sourceImage IsNot Nothing
sourceImage.Dispose()
sourceImage = Nothing
End While

‘drop black shadow on new bitmap with white background…
DropShadow(bmpOut, Color.Black, Color.White)

‘save file…
If bmpOut IsNot Nothing Then
bmpOut.Save(file_output, format)
bmpOut.Dispose()
bmpOut = Nothing
End If
[/sourcecode]

PS:
The subroutine executes only in “STAThread” so it’s thread-safe drawing.

Happy coding…

Max 🙂

The post How to draw a shadow for a bitmap (Drop Shadow Effect in VB.NET / ASP.NET) first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

[sourcecode language=”php”]
function datetime2mysqldatetime($datetime){ // ‘25.12.2010 12:10:00’ -> ‘2010-12-25 12:10:00’
return date(‘Y-m-d H:i:s’, strtotime($datetime)); // ‘25.12.2010’ -> ‘2010-12-25 00:00:00’
}

function mysqldatetime2datetime($mysql_datetime){ // ‘2010-12-25 12:10:00’ -> ‘25.12.2010 12:10:00’
$d = split(‘ ‘, $mysql_datetime); // ‘2010-12-25’ -> ‘25.12.2010’
if($d && count($d)>1){
list($year, $month, $day) = split(‘-‘, $d[0]);
list($hour, $minute, $second) = split(‘:’, $d[1]);
$d = date(‘d.m.Y H:i:s’, mktime($hour, $minute, $second, $month, $day, $year));}
else if($d && count($d)==1){
list($year, $month, $day) = split(‘-‘, $d[0]);
$d = date(‘d.m.Y’, mktime(0, 0, 0, $month, $day, $year));
} else {
$d = NULL;
}
return $d;
}
[/sourcecode]

Max 🙂

The post PHP Date or Datetime to MySQL Datetime and viceversa first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

Happy encryption/decryption! 🙂

Max

[sourcecode language=”php”]
function encrypt($input_string, $key){
$iv_size = mcrypt_get_iv_size(MCRYPT_RIJNDAEL_256, MCRYPT_MODE_ECB);
$iv = mcrypt_create_iv($iv_size, MCRYPT_RAND);
$h_key = hash(‘sha256’, $key, TRUE);
return base64_encode(mcrypt_encrypt(MCRYPT_RIJNDAEL_256, $h_key, $input_string, MCRYPT_MODE_ECB, $iv));
}

function decrypt($encrypted_input_string, $key){
$iv_size = mcrypt_get_iv_size(MCRYPT_RIJNDAEL_256, MCRYPT_MODE_ECB);
$iv = mcrypt_create_iv($iv_size, MCRYPT_RAND);
$h_key = hash(‘sha256’, $key, TRUE);
return trim(mcrypt_decrypt(MCRYPT_RIJNDAEL_256, $h_key, base64_decode($encrypted_input_string), MCRYPT_MODE_ECB, $iv));
}
[/sourcecode]

The post Easy-to-use and strong Encrypt/Decrypt PHP functions first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

to recognize a data type ‘object’ from ‘array’, you need a specialized function like this…
[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
function isArray(value){
var b = typeof value;
if(b === ‘object’){
if(value){
b = (typeof value.length === ‘number’ &&
!(value.propertyIsEnumerable(‘length’)) &&
typeof value.splice === ‘function’) ? true : false;
}else{
b = false;
};
};
return b;
};
var myarray = [1, 2, 3];
var myobject = { key: ‘value’ };
alert(isArray(myarray)); //return true
alert(isArray(myobject)); //return false
[/sourcecode]

Good work!
Max 🙂

The post Javascript isArray() function first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
function stringify(object, padding, margin){
var o = (typeof object == ‘object’ || typeof object == ‘function’) && object != null ? object : null;
var p = typeof padding == ‘boolean’ && padding ? true : false;
var m = typeof margin == ‘number’ && margin>0 && p ? margin : 0;
if(o != null){
var s = ”;
var a = function(o){return (typeof o === ‘object’ && o ? ((typeof o.length === ‘number’ &&!(o.propertyIsEnumerable(‘length’)) && typeof o.splice === ‘function’) ? true : false) : false);}; //is array?
for(var v in o){
s += typeof o[v] === ‘object’ ? (o[v] ? (
(typeof o[v].length === ‘number’ && !(o[v].propertyIsEnumerable(‘length’)) && typeof o[v].splice === ‘function’) ?
(m>0 ? Array(m).join(‘ ‘):”) + v + ‘:’ + (p ? ‘ ‘:”) + ‘[‘ + (p ? ‘rn’:”) + stringify(o[v],p,(m>0?m:1)+v.length+4) + (p!=true ? ” : ‘rn’ + Array((m>0?m:1)+v.length+2).join(‘ ‘)) + ‘],’ + (p ? ‘rn’:”) :
(m>0 ? Array(m).join(‘ ‘):”) + v + ‘:’ + (p ? ‘ ‘:”) + ‘{‘ + (p ? ‘rn’:”) + stringify(o[v],p,(m>0?m:1)+v.length+4) + (p!=true ? ” : ‘rn’ + Array((m>0?m:1)+v.length+2).join(‘ ‘)) + ‘},’ + (p ? ‘rn’:”)
) : (m>0 ? Array(m).join(‘ ‘):”) + v + ‘:’ + (p ? ‘ ‘:”) + o[v] + ‘,’ + (p ? ‘rn’:”))
: (m>0 ? Array(m).join(‘ ‘):”) + v + ‘:’ + (p ? ‘ ‘:”) + (typeof o[v] == ‘string’ ? ”’ + o[v].replace(/’/g,’\”) + ”’ : o[v]) + ‘,’ + (p ? ‘rn’:”);
};
o = s.length>0 && p!=true ? s.substring(0, s.length-1) : (s.length>2 ? s.substring(0, s.length-3) : s);
}else{
o = object;
};
return o;
};
[/sourcecode]

a little example, you declare same variable….

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
var associative_array = new Array();
associative_array[‘one’] = 1;
associative_array[‘two’] = 2;
associative_array[‘undefinedvar’];

var myobject = {
mystring: ‘value’,
myquoted: ‘string with ‘single quotation mark”,
mynumber: 1,
myboolean: true,
myarray: [1, 2, 3],
myassocarray: associative_array,
myobject: {
obj_string: ‘hi!’,
obj_number: 1,
obj_array: [
‘just’, ‘a’, ‘test’, 1, false,
[‘array’, ‘inside’, ‘array’],
{
object: ‘inside array’,
array: [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
},

]
},
mynullvalue: null,
myundefined: associative_array[‘undefinedvar’],
myfunction: function(){ var s = ‘hello!’; return s; }
};
[/sourcecode]

then, for an inline stringification, you can use

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
var str = stringify(myobject);
[/sourcecode]

and “str” value will be a string as

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
mystring:’value’,myquoted:’string with ‘single quotation mark”,mynumber:1,myboolean:true,myarray:[0:1,1:2,2:3],myassocarray:[one:1,two:2],myobject:{obj_string:’hi!’,obj_number:1,obj_array:[0:’just’,1:’a’,2:’test’,3:1,4:false,5:[0:’array’,1:’inside’,2:’array’],6:{object:’inside array’,array:[0:1,1:2,2:3,3:4,4:5,5:6,6:7,7:8,8:9]}]},mynullvalue:null,myundefined:undefined,myfunction:function () {
var s = "hello!";
return s;
}
[/sourcecode]

Instead, for a stringification with a well formatted padding, you can use

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
var str_formatted = stringify(myobject, true);
[/sourcecode]

and this is the “str_formatted” value:

[sourcecode language=”javascript”]
mystring: ‘value’,
myquoted: ‘string with ‘single quotation mark”,
mynumber: 1,
myboolean: true,
myarray: [
0: 1,
1: 2,
2: 3
],
myassocarray: [
one: 1,
two: 2
],
myobject: {
obj_string: ‘hi!’,
obj_number: 1,
obj_array: [
0: ‘just’,
1: ‘a’,
2: ‘test’,
3: 1,
4: false,
5: [
0: ‘array’,
1: ‘inside’,
2: ‘array’
],
6: {
object: ‘inside array’,
array: [
0: 1,
1: 2,
2: 3,
3: 4,
4: 5,
5: 6,
6: 7,
7: 8,
8: 9
]
}
]
},
mynullvalue: null,
myundefined: undefined,
myfunction: function () {
var s = "hello!";
return s;
}
[/sourcecode]

Finally, when you pass a variable to stringify() that is not an object, it will just return the value.

Happy stringifications!

Max 🙂

The post How to stringify an object in Javascript: converting an object to a padded & well-formatted string or simply inline first appeared on MaxVergelli.com.