Converting an array of integers into an array of bytes

[Proqrammer]

Hi there, I have an array of integers such as:

Dim IntKey() As Integer = {123, 2, 120, 8, 246, 249, 140, 137, 136, 57, 64, 58, 1258, 5, 220}

Now I want to convert that array of integers into an array of bytes so that I could use it in cryptography.

How can I make that happen?
Any help is appreciated.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

You might find the BitConverter class to be handy.

-Rick

VB.Net Forum forum796 forum855 ASP.NET Forum
I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[chiph]

If you're going to pass this to another machine, be aware that since some of your values are > 255, that byte order will be a concern. So decide if the most-significant byte should be first or last in your array, and make sure the other side of your encryption knows this too.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Proqrammer]

Thanks for your responses, I couldn't find a method in BitConverter class to do what I want to do, could you please give me an example?

 

[chiph]

Here's some hand-written C# code, maybe that will give you some ideas for a VB.NET equivalent.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;

private byte[] ToByteArray(int[] IntKey)
{
  List<byte> byteList = new List<byte>();

  foreach(int i in IntKey)
  {
     byteList.AddRange(BitConverter.GetBytes(i)); 
  }
  
  return byteList.ToArray();
}

Hope this helps.
Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Proqrammer]

Thanks for the help, it works perfectly, here is the code in V.net:


Imports System
Imports System.Collections.Generic

Private Function IntegerArray2ByteArray(ByVal IntegerArray() As Integer) As Byte()

Dim byteList As List(Of Byte) = New List(Of Byte)()

For Each i As Integer In IntegerArray
byteList.AddRange(BitConverter.GetBytes(i))
Next i

Return byteList.ToArray()
End Function

''' <summary>
''' Converting an array of integers into an array of bytes
''' </summary>
''' <param name="IntegerArray">An array of integers which is supposed to be converted</param>
''' <returns></returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Private Function IntegerArray2ByteArray(ByVal IntegerArray() As Integer) As Byte()

Dim byteList As List(Of Byte) = New List(Of Byte)()

For Each i As Integer In IntegerArray
byteList.AddRange(BitConverter.GetBytes(i))
Next i

Return byteList.ToArray()
End Function