<block class="Magento\Catalog\Block\Product\View" name="product.info.custom-product-attributes" template="product/view/custom-product-attributes.phtml" after="product.info.overview"/>
...
<block class="Magento\Catalog\Block\Product\View" name="product.info.custom-estimated-delivery" template="product/view/custom-estimated-delivery.phtml" after="product.price.final"/>

To access a variable declared in the first block from the second block, you can set the variable with register from the first phtml, then you get the value in the 2nd phtml with registry

To do things well without injecting direclty the objectManager in phtml, you have to create some function your product block, so in your block : app/code/Vendor/Modulename/Block/Custom.phpassuming that your variable name is : $tech add the following code:

<?php
namespace Vendor\Modulename\Block;

class Custom extends \Magento\Framework\View\Element\Template
{
    protected $_coreRegistry;

    public function __construct(
        ...
        \Magento\Framework\Registry $coreRegistry
    ) {
        ...
        $this->_coreRegistry = $coreRegistry;
    }

    /**
     * Set var data
     */
    public function setTechData($data)
    {
        $this->_coreRegistry->register('tech', $data);
    }

    /**
     * Get var data
     */
    public function getTechData()
    {
        return $this->_coreRegistry->registry('tech');
    }
}

Then in your First phtml :

<?php $tech = 'Your Data here'; ?>
<?php $block->setTechData($tech); ?>

Then, in the Second phtml :

<?php $block->getTechData(); ?> //you'll get your tech value here

Besides, you can also do that in phtml to test without the block solution,

First phtml :

<?php 
$tech = 'Your Data here';
$objectManager = \Magento\Framework\App\ObjectManager::getInstance();
$objectManager->create("Magento\Framework\Registry")->register('tech', $tech);
?>

Second phtml :

<?php 
$objectManager = \Magento\Framework\App\ObjectManager::getInstance();
$techData = $objectManager->create("Magento\Framework\Registry")->registry('tech');
echo $techData;
?>

[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]

Before to start:
For this tutorial, You need to download this MS Access database example or You can create a new one in MySQL executing this SQL:

[sourcecode language=”sql”]
CREATE TABLE `myTable` (
`myField1` INT( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
`myField2` VARCHAR( 255 ) NULL DEFAULT ‘test’,
`myField3` VARCHAR( 255 ) NULL DEFAULT ‘test’,
PRIMARY KEY ( `myField1` )
) TYPE = MYISAM ;
INSERT INTO `myTable` (`myField1`, `myField2`, `myField3`)
 VALUES(1, ‘rec1 Text2’, ‘rec1 Text3’);
INSERT INTO `myTable` (`myField1`, `myField2`, `myField3`)
 VALUES(2, ‘rec2 Text2’, ‘rec2 Text3’);
INSERT INTO `myTable` (`myField1`, `myField2`, `myField3`)
 VALUES(3, ‘rec3 Text2’, ‘rec3 Text3’);
[/sourcecode]

Besides, to create an “AssociativeArray” object, You need to include the “ASP Associative Array Class” file in your asp page with an include statement:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
<!–#include file="AssociativeArrayClass.asp" –>
[/sourcecode]

Tutorial:
The target is to grab data from a database Table and save records in an Associative Array, then You need to create a Database connection by ADODB…

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Set DbConnection = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")[/sourcecode]

Select a Provider for MS Access or MySQL:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]dbConnectionString = _
   "driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)}; DBQ=" & _
           Server.MapPath("myDatabase.mdb")[/sourcecode]

For MySQL Databases You can also use a connection string like the following:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]"driver={MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver}; Server=; Uid=; Pwd=; Database=;"[/sourcecode]

Open a database connection and create a SQL Select:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]DbConnection.Open dbConnectionString
Dim sql : sql = "SELECT * FROM myTable"[/sourcecode]

Create and Populate the Associative Array with selected Records and close database connection:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Dim Table
Set Table = New AssociativeArray
Table.Fill DbConnection, sql
Set DbConnection = Nothing[/sourcecode]

Manage Records inside the Associative Array:
Right now, You can manage each record (and its values) inside the Associative Array. For example, You could get the first Record and its Values in each Field:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Response.Write( _
                Table(0)("myField1") & " , " & _
                Table(0)("myField2") & " , " & _
                Table(0)("myField3") & "<br />")[/sourcecode]

the following code gets the second Record and its Values in each Field:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Response.Write( _
                Table(1)("myField1") & " , " & _
                Table(1)("myField2") & " , " & _
                Table(1)("myField3") & "<br />")[/sourcecode]

it gets the total Records Count

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Response.Write("<p>Total Records: " & Table.Count & "</p>")[/sourcecode]

this enumerates all Records inside the Associative Array:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Response.Write("<ul>")
For Each row In Table.Items
   Dim record
   Set record = row.Value ‘get current Record Object
   Response.Write("<li>" & record("myField1") & " : " & _
                           record("myField2") & " : " & _
                           record("myField3") & "</li>")
Next
Response.Write("</ul>")[/sourcecode]

and finally it gets all records by index (zero-based):

[sourcecode language=”vb”]Response.Write("<ul>")
For n = 0 To Table.Count – 1
     Response.Write("<li>" & Table(n)("myField1") & " : " & _
                             Table(n)("myField2") & " : " & _
                             Table(n)("myField3") & "</li>")
Next
Response.Write("</ul>")[/sourcecode]

That’s all,
Get the full example at http://sourceforge.net/projects/asp-assoc-array/

Max

Right now, You can start declaring associative arrays in ASP with the following syntax:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Dim Person
Set Person = New AssociativeArray
Person("name") = "Max"
Person("surname") = "Vergelli"
Response.Write Person("name") & " " & Person("surname")
[/sourcecode]

In the above example, the key “name” in “Person” object, stores “Max” value. You can set strings or integers for the key and any object/variant type for the relative value. However, You can not set key with Null or “” strings like the following:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
‘invalid keys…
Person(Null) = "Null Key"
Person("") = "Empty String"
Dim undefined
Person(undefined) = "Variable Not Initialized"
Response.Write Person("") & Person(Null) & Person(undefined)
[/sourcecode]

How to get every item of the associative array:
You can make a “For Each” loop on the array like in the following code

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
For Each element In Person.Items
   Response.Write element.Key & " : " & element.Value & vbCrLf
Next
[/sourcecode]

“Person.Items” gets all the items inside the associative array and for each item You can get “Key” and “Value” properties.

How to copy an associative array:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Dim Person_Clone             ‘it’s a Variant type
Set Person_Clone = Person    ‘NOTE: Use "Set" statement!
‘print values
Response.Write Person_Clone("name") & " " & Person_Clone("surname") & vbCrLf
‘get each key/value
For Each element In Person_Clone.Items
   Response.Write element.Key & " : " & element.Value & vbCrLf
Next
[/sourcecode]

How to create nested associative arrays…
You can create infinite nested associative arrays and accessing them like the following:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Dim Person
Set Person = New AssociativeArray
Person("name") = "Max"
Person("surname") = "Vergelli"
Dim People
Set People = New AssociativeArray
People(1) = Person
People(2) = Person
People(3) = Person
Response.Write People(1)("name") & " " & People(1)("surname")
[/sourcecode]

Besides, You can enumerate all the keys/values inside the “People” associative array object

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
For Each element In People.Items
   Dim el_person
   Set el_person = element.Value
   Response.Write el_person("name") & " : " & el_person("surname") & vbCrLf
Next
[/sourcecode]

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.

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 🙂

[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 🙂

besides, if u’ll need to convert each german umlaut to the corresponding two-letter chars, u can also use the ReplaceGermanUmlauts() method…

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Public Shared Function StripAccentMarks(ByVal input_string As String) As String
Dim n_s As String = input_string.Normalize(NormalizationForm.FormD)
Dim s As New StringBuilder()
Dim c As Char
For i As Integer = 0 To n_s.Length – 1
c = n_s(i)
If System.Globalization.CharUnicodeInfo.GetUnicodeCategory(c) <> System.Globalization.UnicodeCategory.NonSpacingMark Then
s.Append(c)
End If
Next
Return s.ToString
End Function
[/sourcecode]
[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Public Shared Function ReplaceGermanUmlauts(ByVal input_string As String) As String
Dim s As String = input_string</pre>
s = s.Replace("ä", "ae")
s = s.Replace("ö", "oe")
s = s.Replace("ü", "ue")
s = s.Replace("Ä", "Ae")
s = s.Replace("Ö", "Oe")
s = s.Replace("Ü", "Ue")
s = s.Replace("ß", "ss")
Return s
End Function
[/sourcecode]

Have a nice day!

Max 😀

Adding resource files:

First of all, add a folder named “resources/” in your project.

Inside this folder, right click then from the context menu choose “add an element” -> “new element” -> select “Resource File (resx)” -> create a file named “Resources.en-US.resx”

In the “Resources.en-US.resx” file, You have to write all the strings used by your application.
It’s important that your language resource file is named as “Resources.{Language Code Name}.resx”, so VS can reach automatically this file.

The rsx file is just a list of Key-Value items, then You have to give a key-name for each string value; don’t use spaces in key-names, otherwise it’s best using “_” symbol.

Insert only two test lines in your new rsx file as the following…

KEY – VALUE:

TEST_STRING1 us1
TEST_STRING2 us2


Then, compile your project and if it’s all right, You will find a new folder in “binRelease” named “en-US” created by VS, with a file “{your project name}.resources.dll”; this file contains all the strings for the english-US language (“en-US”) and right now You can access them programmatically.

If You want add a new language to your application, just copy the rsx file and rename it in “Resources.{Language Code Name}.resx” where the language code name is one of those listed at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee825488(v=cs.20).aspx.

Step 2, how to programmatically select the language and strings:

Add a vb class “Resources.vb” in the “resources” folder with the following code

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Public Class Resources

Public Shared Function GetValue(ByVal name As ResourceName) As String
Return My.Resources.ResourceManager.GetObject(name.ToString)
End Function

Public Shared Property Language() As CultureCodeName
Get
Dim c As CultureCodeName = Nothing
Dim cs As String = System.Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture.ToString().Replace(New Char() {"-"c}, New Char() {"_"c})
For Each cc As CultureCodeName In [Enum].GetValues(GetType(CultureCodeName))
If cs = cc.ToString Then
c = cc
Exit For
End If
Next
Return c
End Get
Set(ByVal cultureCodeName As CultureCodeName)
Dim c As String = cultureCodeName.ToString.Replace(New Char() {"_"c}, New Char() {"-"c})
System.Threading.Thread.CurrentThread.CurrentUICulture = _
System.Globalization.CultureInfo.GetCultureInfo(c)
End Set
End Property

End Class
[/sourcecode]

then, add a vb “code file” named “CultureCodeNames.vb” in “resources” folder with the following code

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

Public Enum CultureCodeName

en_US
‘if You want add a new language, after creating the rsx file,
‘also add here the code name, with "-" replaced in "_"

End Enum

[/sourcecode]

Finally, add the last vb codefile “ResourceNames.vb” in “resources” folder with this code

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

Public Enum ResourceName

‘add here all the key names in the RSX file
TEST_STRING1
TEST_STRING2

End Enum

[/sourcecode]

The configuration is finished.
In your project, add a button to a form, then add the following vb code in the codebehind to learn how to access to different language RSX files and their strings inside.

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

‘Select a language for your app
Resources.Language = CultureCodeName.en_US

‘show test string 1
MessageBox.Show(Resources.GetValue(ResourceName.TEST_STRING1))

‘show test string 2
MessageBox.Show(Resources.GetValue(ResourceName.TEST_STRING2))

‘show the current language code
MessageBox.Show(Resources.Language.ToString)

End Sub
[/sourcecode]

It’s very useful because when you will be writing the code, VS automatically suggests the strings that you can use, saving a lot of time and by selecting a language with “Resources.Language”, You can translate your application strings on the fly.

Have a nice day!

Max

With this vb.net class you can easly encrypt/decrypt strings using a robust symmetric Rijndael algorithm or you can get also MD5 or SHA1, SHA256 hash codes of a string.

During the encryption, the CryptographyHelper encrypts a clear text and saves it in a binary stream, then converts the binary output in Hexadecimal or Base64 encoding type for a string rapresentation. The opposite job during the decryption.

How to use:

[sourcecode language=”vb”]
Imports {project’s name}.Cryptography

Dim crypt As New CryptographyHelper

‘select your favorite encoding type (Hexadecimal or Base64) for encrypted/decryptet text
‘in output/input;
‘during the encryption, the CryptographyHelper encrypts a clear text and saves it in a
‘binary stream, then converts the binary output in Hexadecimal or Base64 encoding type
‘for a string rapresentation. The opposite job during the decryption.
crypt.EncodingType = CryptographyHelper.ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal

‘choose a password
Dim password As String = "my secret password"

‘encrypt/decrypt strings using a robust symmetric Rijndael algorithm
Dim encrypted_text As String = crypt.Encrypt("plain text to encrypt…", password)
Dim decrypted_text As String = crypt.Decrypt(encrypted_text, password)

‘you can also get an hash of a string
Dim MD5hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.MD5)
Dim SHA1hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.SHA1)
Dim SHA256hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.SHA256)
[/sourcecode]

Enjoy 🙂

Max

[sourcecode language=”vb”]

‘ CryptographyHelper & Cryptography VB.NET classes for .NET Framework 4
‘ http://www.maxvergelli.com/
‘
‘ Copyright (c) 2016 Max Vergelli
‘
‘ Vers. 3.5.1
‘ Date: 23/03/2016
‘
‘ Description:
‘ With the “CryptographyHelper” wrapper class, you can easly encrypt/decrypt strings in
‘ .NET Framework 4 using a robust symmetric Rijndael algorithm or you can get also MD5
‘ or SHA1, SHA256 hash codes of a string.
‘ During the encryption, the CryptographyHelper encrypts a clear text and saves it in a
‘ binary stream, then converts the binary output in Hexadecimal or Base64 encoding type
‘ for a string rapresentation. The opposite job during the decryption.
‘
‘
‘ Usage:
‘
‘ Imports {project’s name}.Cryptography
‘
‘ Dim crypt As New CryptographyHelper
‘
‘ ‘select your favorite encoding type (Hexadecimal or Base64) for encrypted/decryptet text
‘ ‘in output/input;
‘ ‘during the encryption, the CryptographyHelper encrypts a clear text and saves it in a
‘ ‘binary stream, then converts the binary output in Hexadecimal or Base64 encoding type
‘ ‘for a string rapresentation. The opposite job during the decryption.
‘ crypt.EncodingType = CryptographyHelper.ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal
‘
‘ ‘choose a password
‘ Dim password As String = "my secret password"
‘
‘ encrypt/decrypt strings using a robust symmetric Rijndael algorithm
‘ Dim encrypted_text As String = crypt.Encrypt("plain text to encrypt…", password)
‘ Dim decrypted_text As String = crypt.Decrypt(encrypted_text, password)
‘
‘ ‘you can also get an hash of a string
‘ Dim MD5hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.MD5)
‘ Dim SHA1hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.SHA1)
‘ Dim SHA256hash As String = crypt.GetHash("string to hash", CryptographyHelper.HASH_TYPE.SHA256)
‘
‘
‘ License:
‘
‘ Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
‘ of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
‘ in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
‘ to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
‘ copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
‘ furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
‘
‘ The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
‘ all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
‘
‘ THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
‘ IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
‘ FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
‘ AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
‘ LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
‘ OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
‘ THE SOFTWARE.

Imports System
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Security.Cryptography

Namespace Cryptography

Public Class CryptographyHelper

Private _encoding As ENCODING_TYPE

Public Enum ENCODING_TYPE As Integer
Hexadecimal = 1
Base64 = 2
End Enum

Public Enum HASH_TYPE As Integer
MD5 = 1
SHA1 = 2
SHA256 = 3
SHA512 = 4
End Enum

Public Sub New(Optional ByVal encoding As ENCODING_TYPE = ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal)

‘by default encryption/hashing outputs hexadecimal strings
‘and decryption get hexstrings as input
If encoding <> ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal And encoding <> ENCODING_TYPE.Base64 Then
encoding = ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal
End If
_encoding = encoding

End Sub

Public Property EncodingType() As ENCODING_TYPE
Get
Return _encoding
End Get
Set(ByVal value As ENCODING_TYPE)
_encoding = value
End Set
End Property

Public Function GetHash(ByRef input As String, Optional ByVal type As HASH_TYPE = HASH_TYPE.MD5) As String

Dim crypt As New Cryptography
Dim bytes() As Byte = Nothing
Select Case type
Case HASH_TYPE.MD5
bytes = crypt.CreateMD5Hash(input)
Case HASH_TYPE.SHA1
bytes = crypt.CreateSHA1Hash(input)
Case HASH_TYPE.SHA256
bytes = crypt.CreateSHA256Hash(input)
Case HASH_TYPE.SHA512
bytes = crypt.CreateSHA512Hash(input)
Case Else
bytes = crypt.CreateMD5Hash(input)
End Select
Dim hash As String = ""
Select Case _encoding
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal
hash = crypt.BytesToHexString(bytes)
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Base64
hash = crypt.BytesToBase64(bytes)
Case Else
hash = crypt.BytesToHexString(bytes)
End Select
crypt = Nothing
Return hash

End Function

Public Function Encrypt(ByRef input As String, ByRef password As String) As String

Dim crypt As New Cryptography(password)
Dim bytes() As Byte = crypt.Encrypt(input)
Dim encrypted As String = ""
If bytes IsNot Nothing Then
Select Case _encoding
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal
encrypted = crypt.BytesToHexString(bytes)
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Base64
encrypted = crypt.BytesToBase64(bytes)
Case Else
encrypted = crypt.BytesToHexString(bytes)
End Select
End If
crypt = Nothing
Return encrypted

End Function

Public Function Decrypt(ByRef input As String, ByRef password As String) As String

Dim decrypted As String = ""
If input.Length > 0 Then
Dim crypt As New Cryptography(password)
Dim enc_bytes() As Byte = Nothing
Select Case _encoding
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Hexadecimal
enc_bytes = crypt.HexStringToBytes(input)
Case ENCODING_TYPE.Base64
enc_bytes = crypt.Base64ToBytes(input)
Case Else
enc_bytes = crypt.HexStringToBytes(input)
End Select
decrypted = crypt.Decrypt(enc_bytes)
crypt = Nothing
End If
Return decrypted

End Function

End Class

Public Class Cryptography

Private _key_str As String = Nothing
Private _key_byte() As Byte = Nothing
Private _txt_converter As New UnicodeEncoding
Private _rijndael As New RijndaelManaged ‘"rèin-daal" 🙂

Public Sub New(Optional ByVal encryption_key As String = "")

If encryption_key <> "" Then EncryptionKey = encryption_key

End Sub

Protected Overrides Sub Finalize()

If _txt_converter IsNot Nothing Then
_txt_converter = Nothing
End If
If _rijndael IsNot Nothing Then
_rijndael = Nothing
End If
_key_str = Nothing
_key_byte = Nothing

End Sub

Public Property EncryptionKey() As String

Get
Return _key_str
End Get

Set(ByVal value As String)

Try
‘set the key string
_key_str = value

‘set hash in bytes of the key string
Dim hash256 As New SHA256Managed
_key_byte = hash256.ComputeHash(_txt_converter.GetBytes(_key_str))
hash256 = Nothing

‘If UBound(_key_byte) < 0 Then Exit Property ‘.NET <= 3.5
If _key_byte.GetUpperBound(0) < 0 Then Exit Property ‘.NET Framework 4

‘set Rijndael Key and IV vector for 256 bit encryption
Dim main_key(31) As Byte
Dim main_vector(15) As Byte
Dim diff_block As Integer = 5
_rijndael.KeySize = 256 ‘bit

Dim n As Integer = 0
Dim x As Integer = 0
Dim y As Integer = 0

‘For n = 0 To UBound(main_key) ‘.NET <= 3.5
For n = 0 To main_key.GetUpperBound(0) ‘.NET Framework 4

main_key(n) = _key_byte(x)
‘If n > diff_block And n <= UBound(main_vector) + diff_block Then ‘.NET <= 3.5
If n > diff_block And n <= main_vector.GetUpperBound(0) + diff_block Then ‘.NET Framework 4
main_vector(y) = _key_byte(x)
y = y + 1
End If
x = x + 1

‘If x > UBound(_key_byte) Then x = 0 ‘.NET <= 3.5
If x > _key_byte.GetUpperBound(0) Then x = 0 ‘.NET Framework 4

Next
_rijndael.Key = main_key
_rijndael.IV = main_vector

Catch

‘set a blank encryption key then we cannot encrypt/decrypt
_key_str = Nothing

End Try

End Set

End Property

Public Function Encrypt(ByRef clear_text As String) As Byte()

Dim enc_bytes() As Byte = Nothing
Try
If _key_str IsNot Nothing Then
‘get byte array from text
Dim bytes() As Byte = _txt_converter.GetBytes(clear_text)

‘encrypt data
Dim encryptor As ICryptoTransform = _rijndael.CreateEncryptor()
Dim msEncrypt As New MemoryStream
Dim csEncrypt As New CryptoStream(msEncrypt, encryptor, CryptoStreamMode.Write)

‘write all data to the crypto stream and flush it
csEncrypt.Write(bytes, 0, bytes.Length)
csEncrypt.FlushFinalBlock()

‘get encrypted byte array
enc_bytes = msEncrypt.ToArray()

msEncrypt = Nothing
csEncrypt = Nothing
End If
Catch

End Try

Return enc_bytes

End Function

Public Function Decrypt(ByRef encrypted_text() As Byte) As String

Dim dec_text As String = Nothing

Try
If _key_str IsNot Nothing Then
Dim decryptor As ICryptoTransform = _rijndael.CreateDecryptor()
Dim msDecrypt As New MemoryStream(encrypted_text)
Dim csDecrypt As New CryptoStream(msDecrypt, decryptor, CryptoStreamMode.Read)

‘prepare buffer
Dim bytes() As Byte = New Byte(encrypted_text.Length – 1) {}

‘read the data out of the crypto stream
csDecrypt.Read(bytes, 0, bytes.Length)

‘convert the byte array back into a string
dec_text = _txt_converter.GetString(bytes)

‘strip null chars at the end of the string
StripNullAtEnd(dec_text)

msDecrypt = Nothing
csDecrypt = Nothing
End If
Catch

End Try

Return dec_text

End Function

Public Function BytesToBase64(ByRef input_bytes() As Byte) As String

Dim s As String = Nothing
Try
s = Convert.ToBase64String(input_bytes)
Catch

End Try
Return s

End Function

Public Function Base64ToBytes(ByRef input_base64 As String) As Byte()

Dim b() As Byte = Nothing
Try
b = Convert.FromBase64String(input_base64)
Catch

End Try
Return b

End Function

Public Function BytesToHexString(ByRef input_bytes() As Byte) As String

Dim s As String = Nothing
Try
‘Dim s As String = BitConverter.ToString(input_bytes).Replace("-", String.Empty)
Dim builder As New StringBuilder()
For i As Integer = 0 To input_bytes.Length – 1
builder.AppendFormat("{0:x2}", input_bytes(i))
Next
s = builder.ToString()
builder = Nothing
Catch

End Try
Return s

End Function

Public Function HexStringToBytes(ByRef input_hex_string As String) As Byte()

Dim bytes As Byte() = Nothing
Try
‘i variable used to hold position in string
Dim i As Integer = 0
‘x variable used to hold byte array element position
Dim x As Integer = 0
‘allocate byte array based on half of string length
bytes = New Byte((input_hex_string.Length) 2 – 1) {}
‘loop through the string – 2 bytes at a time converting
‘it to decimal equivalent and store in byte array
While input_hex_string.Length > i + 1
Dim lngDecimal As Long = Convert.ToInt32(input_hex_string.Substring(i, 2), 16)
bytes(x) = Convert.ToByte(lngDecimal)
i = i + 2
x += 1
End While
‘return the finished byte array of decimal values
Catch

End Try
Return bytes

End Function

Public Function CreateMD5Hash(ByRef input As String) As Byte()

Dim hash As Byte() = Nothing
Try
Dim bytes() As Byte = _txt_converter.GetBytes(input)
Dim objMD5 As New MD5CryptoServiceProvider
hash = objMD5.ComputeHash(bytes)
objMD5 = Nothing
Catch

End Try
Return hash

End Function

Public Function CreateSHA1Hash(ByRef input As String) As Byte()

Dim hash As Byte() = Nothing
Try
Dim bytes() As Byte = _txt_converter.GetBytes(input)
Dim objSHA As New SHA1CryptoServiceProvider
hash = objSHA.ComputeHash(bytes)
objSHA = Nothing
Catch

End Try
Return hash

End Function

Public Function CreateSHA256Hash(ByRef input As String) As Byte()
Dim hash As Byte() = Nothing
Try
Dim bytes() As Byte = _txt_converter.GetBytes(input)
Dim objSHA As New SHA256CryptoServiceProvider
hash = objSHA.ComputeHash(bytes)
objSHA = Nothing
Catch

End Try
Return hash

End Function

Public Function CreateSHA512Hash(ByRef input As String) As Byte()
Dim hash As Byte() = Nothing
Try
Dim bytes() As Byte = _txt_converter.GetBytes(input)
Dim objSHA As New SHA512CryptoServiceProvider
hash = objSHA.ComputeHash(bytes)
objSHA = Nothing
Catch

End Try
Return hash

End Function

Private Sub StripNullAtEnd(ByRef input_string As String)

Dim nullchar As Char = Convert.ToChar(0) ‘&H0
If input_string.Length > 0 And input_string.EndsWith(nullchar.ToString) Then
Dim n As Long
For n = input_string.Length – 1 To 0 Step -1
If input_string.Chars(n) <> nullchar Then
input_string = input_string.Substring(0, n + 1)
Exit For
End If
Next
End If
Convert.ToString(input_string)

End Sub

End Class

End Namespace

[/sourcecode]