Can't remove object from SortedDictionary C# - c#

I have a node class which is contained in a SortedDictionary:
SortedDictionary<Node, bool> openList = new SortedDictionary<Node, bool>();
I need to write the CompareTo method on the node, so that the nodes are sorted from lowest to highest based on an int value(F). I also need to be able to check if a node already exists in the dictionary based on their position (this position is what makes the node Unique). The CompareTo looks like this:
public int CompareTo(Node other)
{
if (GridPosition != other.GridPosition)
{
if (F > other.F)
{
return 1;
}
if (F < other.F)
{
return -1;
}
return -1;
}
return 0;
}
The problem is, that it doesn't always return the correct result. For example, the following line of code will return false even though the node is in the dictionary. However it sorts all the nodes that I add to the dictionary exactly as I want it.
Node node = new Node(); //It has a grid position and a f value
openList.add(node, false);
if(openList.Keys.Contains(node)) //this returns false
{
}
To fix this I created an EqualityComparer and used it while comparing the values. The equality comparer looks like this:
class NodeEqualityComparer : IEqualityComparer<Node>
{
public bool Equals(Node x, Node y)
{
return x.GridPosition == y.GridPosition;
}
public int GetHashCode(Node obj)
{
return obj.GridPosition.GetHashCode();
}
}
I'm using this equality comparer as a parameter in the Contains method on the SortedDictionary, this works fine and it returns the correct result based on the content in the Dictionary:
if (openList.Keys.Contains(currentNode,new NodeEqualityComparer())) //This will return true if the node is in the dictionary
{
}
The problem occours when I need to remove a node from the Dictionary. The remove function is using the CompareTo method on the Node to find the node to remove, and as I stated earlier, this function appreantly doesn't return the correct result when comparing the objects. This means that the code below will not remove the node from the dictionary 100% of the time. You can't pass an equalityComparer to the remove function, so that can't fix my problem.
Node node = new Node(); //It has a grid position and a f value
openList.add(node, false);
openList.Remove(node);
Maybe I'm handeling this in a wrong way, so if anyone have some suggestions for solving this problem I'll be very happy to hear them. Maybe I can write a CompareTo function that solves the problem?

This problem is probably a result of you comparing GridPosition in the comparer.
C# distinguishes between value types and reference types. If you compare two int variables the comparer will base equality on the value. For instantiated classes however the comparisson is based upon the reference, meaning you are comparing whether an object is the object in memory.
This:
if (GridPosition != other.GridPosition)
{
will probably almost always return true, thus resulting in your sort order being correct, because you are providing the order int he if statment nested inside:
if (F > other.F)
{
return 1;
}
if (F < other.F)
{
return -1;
}
If however (F == other.F) you assign -1, so the ContainsKey will not recognize these objects as equal.
Depending on what type GridPosition is, you should provide an appropriate comparer, for instance something like
if (GridPosition.X != other.GridPosition.X && GridPosition.Y != other.GridPosition.Y)
And depending on what F is, you are violating the mathematical principal of symmetry, as an object with different GridPosition and equal F will alway be sorted before any other object fulfilling this. Thus for two objects you could get A == B ==> -1 and B == A ==> -1 which isnt useful in any case.
So you would have to do this in the nested if:
if (GridPosition != other.GridPosition)
{
if (F > other.F)
{
return 1;
}
if (F < other.F)
{
return -1;
}
/////////////////////////////////
return 0;
/////////////////////////////////
}
or expand the comparission to a third condition beyond GridPosition and F
EDIT: Based on the information you provided in the comments, you don't actually want a dictionary in this case, just a list with proper sorting. For instance:
List<Node> myList = new List<Node>();
myList.Sort((node1, node2) => node1.F > node2.F);//Sort the list based on their node value
As for your bool; I don't know what this represents, but I'm under the strong impression that you want a regular Dictionary<Node, bool> for this. Then use the list myList to handle whatever node you need as next waypoint and lookup the bool corresponding to a node in the dictionary whenever you need it.

Related

How to check whether two lists items have value equality using EqualityComparer? [duplicate]

Before marking this as duplicate because of its title please consider the following short program:
static void Main()
{
var expected = new List<long[]> { new[] { Convert.ToInt64(1), Convert.ToInt64(999999) } };
var actual = DoSomething();
if (!actual.SequenceEqual(expected)) throw new Exception();
}
static IEnumerable<long[]> DoSomething()
{
yield return new[] { Convert.ToInt64(1), Convert.ToInt64(999999) };
}
I have a method which returns a sequence of arrays of type long. To test it I wrote some test-code similar to that one within Main.
However I get the exception, but I don´t know why. Shouldn´t the expected sequence be comparable to the actually returned one or did I miss anything?
To me it looks as both the method and the epxected contain exactly one single element containing an array of type long, doesn´t it?
EDIT: So how do I achieve to not get the exception meaning to compare the elements within the enumeration to return equality?
The actual problem is the fact that you're comparing two long[], and Enumerable.SequenceEquals will use an ObjectEqualityComparer<Int64[]> (you can see that by examining EqualityComparer<long[]>.Default which is what is being internally used by Enumerable.SequenceEquals), which will compare references of those two arrays, and not the actual values stored inside the array, which obviously aren't the same.
To get around this, you could write a custom EqualityComparer<long[]>:
static void Main()
{
var expected = new List<long[]>
{ new[] { Convert.ToInt64(1), Convert.ToInt64(999999) } };
var actual = DoSomething();
if (!actual.SequenceEqual(expected, new LongArrayComparer()))
throw new Exception();
}
public class LongArrayComparer : EqualityComparer<long[]>
{
public override bool Equals(long[] first, long[] second)
{
return first.SequenceEqual(second);
}
// GetHashCode implementation in the courtesy of #JonSkeet
// from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7244699/gethashcode-on-byte-array
public override int GetHashCode(long[] arr)
{
unchecked
{
if (array == null)
{
return 0;
}
int hash = 17;
foreach (long element in arr)
{
hash = hash * 31 + element.GetHashCode();
}
return hash;
}
}
}
No, your sequences are not equal!
Lets remove the sequence bit, and just take what is in the first element of each item
var firstExpected = new[] { Convert.ToInt64(1), Convert.ToInt64(999999) };
var firstActual = new[] { Convert.ToInt64(1), Convert.ToInt64(999999) };
Console.WriteLine(firstExpected == firstActual); // writes "false"
The code above is comparing two separate arrays for equality. Equality does not check the contents of arrays it checks the references for equality.
Your code using SequenceEquals is, essentially, doing the same thing. It checks the references in each case of each element in an enumerable.
SequenceEquals tests for the elements within the sequences to be identical. The elements within the enumerations are of type long[], so we actually compare two different arrays (containing the same elements however) against each other which is obsiously done by comparing their references instead of their actual value .
So what we actually check here is this expected[0] == actual[0] instead of expected[0].SequqnceEquals(actual[0])
This is obiosuly returns false as both arrays share different references.
If we flatten the hierarchy using SelectMany we get what we want:
if (!actual.SelectMany(x => x).SequenceEqual(expected.SelectMany(x => x))) throw new Exception();
EDIT:
Based on this approach I found another elegant way to check if all the elements from expected are contained in actual also:
if (!expected.All(x => actual.Any(y => y.SequenceEqual(x)))) throw new Exception();
This will search if for ever sub-list within expected there is a list within actual that is sequentially identical to the current one. This seems much smarter to be as we do not need any custom EqualityComparer and no weird hashcode-implementation.

Search for an existing object in a list

This is my first question here so I hope I'm doing right.
I have to create a List of array of integer:
List<int[]> finalList = new List<int[]>();
in order to store all the combinations of K elements with N numbers.
For example:
N=5, K=2 => {1,2},{1,3},{1,4},...
Everything is all right but I want to avoid the repetitions of the same combination in the list({1,2} and {2,1} for example). So before adding the tmpArray (where I temporally store the new combination) in the list, I want to check if it's already stored.
Here it's what I'm doing:
create the tmpArray with the next combination (OK)
sort tmpArray (OK)
check if the List already contains tmpArray with the following code:
if (!finalList.Contains(tmpArray))
finalList.Add(tmpArray);
but it doesn't work. Can anyone help me with this issue?
Array is a reference type - your Contains query will not do what you want (compare all members in order).
You may use something like this:
if (!finalList.Any(x => x.SequenceEqual(tmpArray))
{
finalList.Add(tmpArray);
}
(Make sure you add a using System.Linq to the top of your file)
I suggest you learn more about value vs. reference types, Linq and C# data structure fundamentals. While above query should work it will be slow - O(n*m) where n = number of arrays in finalList and m length of each array.
For larger arrays some precomputing (e.g. a hashcode for each of the arrays) that allows you a faster comparison might be beneficial.
If I remember correctly, contains will either check the value for value data types or it will check the address for object types. An array is an object type, so the contains is only checking if the address in memory is stored in your list. You'll have to check each item in this list and perform some type of algorithm to check that the values of the array are in the list.
Linq, Lambda, or brute force checking comes to mind.
BrokenGlass gives a good suggestion with Linq and Lambda.
Brute Force:
bool itemExists = true;
foreach (int[] ints in finalList)
{
if (ints.Length != tmpArray.Length)
{
itemExists = false;
break;
}
else
{
// Compare each element
for (int i = 0; i < tmpArray.Length; i++)
{
if (ints[i] != tmpArray[i])
{
itemExists = false;
break;
}
}
// Have to check to break from the foreach loop
if (itemExists == false)
{
break;
}
}
}
if (itemExists == false)
{
finalList.add(tmpArray);
}

C# Sort object array by specific parameter

I am relatively new to programming. I have an array of objects which isn't necessarily full (may include null rows). And I want to sort it by one of the class parameters "int moveScore".
This is my array (currently holds only 32 entries)
Score[] firstPlyScore = new Score[1000];
I tried 2 things for sorting
1
In the "Score" class, i inherited "IComparable" and used the "CompareTo" method as follows
public int CompareTo(object obj)
{
Score x = (Score)obj;
if (this.moveScore < x.moveScore)
return -1;
if (this.moveScore > x.moveScore)
return 1;
return 0;
}
I called it using;
Array.Sort(firstPlyScore);
The problem is that it does sort correctly but at the end of the array. Meaning rows 0-966 are "null" and 967-999 are sorted correctly (967 with highest "int", 999 with lowest).
Is there any way to fix this.
2
I also tried this
Array.Sort(firstPlyScore, delegate
(Score x, Score y) { return x.moveScore.CompareTo(y.moveScore); });
Here the problem was that it crashed when it reached a "null" row.
Help most appreciated!
The default comparison behavior is for null values to be ordered before non-null values. If you want to override this behavior, a custom Comparison<Score> like in your second example would be the way to go.
delegate (Score x, Score y) {
if (x == null)
return y == null ? 0 : 1;
if (y == null)
return -1;
return x.moveScore.CompareTo(y.moveScore);
}
This will keep the null items at the end of the array.
To sort in descending order, just swap the x and y references in the last line.
firstPlyScore = firstPlyScore
.Where(x => x != null)
.OrderByDescending(x => x.moveScore)
.ToArray();
You can use Linq to Entities to sort and then convert back to an array it will re-size your array to the correct length needed without null issue
var list = firstPlyScore.OrderByDescending(x => x.MoveScore).ToList();
//here how you can get always 1000 array length as you asked
for (int i = list.Count-1; i < 1000; i++)
{
list.Add(null);
}
firstPlyScore = list.ToArray();
}
In the beginning of your compare method
if(obj == null) return 0;
The problem is that it does sort correctly but at the end of the
array. Meaning rows 0-966 are "null" and 967-999 are sorted correctly
(967 with highest "int", 999 with lowest). Is there any way to fix
this.
If you need something, whose size can change, you are looking for a List<int>, instead of using arrays.
Arrays should be used for Lists that do not change (e.g. a chess board).
The List also provides you a method called Sort.
As mentioned by others, you can also use LINQ to achieve what you seek for.
Do you really need to keep 1000 items in the list even if most of them are null ?
I would suggest to check the logic behind it to see if you can prevent that because that's taking a lot of space for nothing.
Otherwise, 2 possibilities:
Check for Obj == null in your compare function. But it might still fail if the comparing item is null
Create a custom class for your score and make Icomparable (Check this link for several example about how to sort arrays

Using Linq Except not Working as I Thought

List1 contains items { A, B } and List2 contains items { A, B, C }.
What I need is to be returned { C } when I use Except Linq extension. Instead I get returned { A, B } and if I flip the lists around in my expression the result is { A, B, C }.
Am I misunderstanding the point of Except? Is there another extension I am not seeing to use?
I have looked through and tried a number of different posts on this matter with no success thus far.
var except = List1.Except(List2); //This is the line I have thus far
EDIT: Yes I was comparing simple objects. I have never used IEqualityComparer, it was interesting to learn about.
Thanks all for the help. The problem was not implementing the comparer. The linked blog post and example below where helpful.
If you are storing reference types in your list, you have to make sure there is a way to compare the objects for equality. Otherwise they will be checked by comparing if they refer to same address.
You can implement IEqualityComparer<T> and send it as a parameter to Except() function. Here's a blog post you may find helpful.
edit: the original blog post link was broken and has been replaced above
So just for completeness...
// Except gives you the items in the first set but not the second
var InList1ButNotList2 = List1.Except(List2);
var InList2ButNotList1 = List2.Except(List1);
// Intersect gives you the items that are common to both lists
var InBothLists = List1.Intersect(List2);
Edit: Since your lists contain objects you need to pass in an IEqualityComparer for your class... Here is what your except will look like with a sample IEqualityComparer based on made up objects... :)
// Except gives you the items in the first set but not the second
var equalityComparer = new MyClassEqualityComparer();
var InList1ButNotList2 = List1.Except(List2, equalityComparer);
var InList2ButNotList1 = List2.Except(List1, equalityComparer);
// Intersect gives you the items that are common to both lists
var InBothLists = List1.Intersect(List2);
public class MyClass
{
public int i;
public int j;
}
class MyClassEqualityComparer : IEqualityComparer<MyClass>
{
public bool Equals(MyClass x, MyClass y)
{
return x.i == y.i &&
x.j == y.j;
}
public int GetHashCode(MyClass obj)
{
unchecked
{
if (obj == null)
return 0;
int hashCode = obj.i.GetHashCode();
hashCode = (hashCode * 397) ^ obj.i.GetHashCode();
return hashCode;
}
}
}
You simply confused the order of arguments. I can see where this confusion arose, because the official documentation isn't as helpful as it could be:
Produces the set difference of two sequences by using the default equality comparer to compare values.
Unless you're versed in set theory, it may not be clear what a set difference actually is—it's not simply what's different between the sets. In reality, Except returns the list of elements in the first set that are not in the second set.
Try this:
var except = List2.Except(List1); // { C }
Writing a custom comparer does seem to solve the problem, but I think https://stackoverflow.com/a/12988312/10042740 is a much more simple and elegant solution.
It overwrites the GetHashCode() and Equals() methods in your object defining class, then the default comparer does its magic without extra code cluttering up the place.
Just for Ref:
I wanted to compare USB Drives connected and available to the system.
So this is the class which implements interface IEqualityComparer
public class DriveInfoEqualityComparer : IEqualityComparer<DriveInfo>
{
public bool Equals(DriveInfo x, DriveInfo y)
{
if (object.ReferenceEquals(x, y))
return true;
if (x == null || y == null)
return false;
// compare with Drive Level
return x.VolumeLabel.Equals(y.VolumeLabel);
}
public int GetHashCode(DriveInfo obj)
{
return obj.VolumeLabel.GetHashCode();
}
}
and you can use it like this
var newDeviceLst = DriveInfo.GetDrives()
.ToList()
.Except(inMemoryDrives, new DriveInfoEqualityComparer())
.ToList();

Sort stop working after enum values added

I have a imprmented sort method for a colection in my code and today i noticed something strange. When i tried to add new enum values to the enum the sort method crashed with this error.
Unable to sort because the IComparer.Compare() method returns inconsistent results. Either a value does not compare equal to itself, or one value repeatedly compared to another value yields different results. x: '', x's type: 'Texture2D', IComparer: 'System.Array+FunctorComparer`1[Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Graphics.Texture2D]'.
This seems really strange seens the sort is in now way dependent on earlyer result and all it should do is sort after the index of the enum insteed of alfabatic order.
Here is the code.
availableTiles.Sort(CompareTilesToEnum);
private static int CompareTilesToEnum(Texture2D x, Texture2D y)
{
int xValue = (int) (Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), x.Name, true));
int yValue = (int) (Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), y.Name, true));
if (xValue > yValue)
{
return 1;
}
else
{
return -1;
}
}
public enum TileTyp
{
Nothing = -1,
Forest,
Grass,
GrassSandBottom,
GrassSandLeft,
GrassSandRight,
GrassSandTop,
Mounten,
Sand,
Snow,
Water,
GrassSandTopLeft,
GrassSandAll,
GrassSandBottomLeft,
GrassSandBottomRightLeft,
GrassSandBottomRightTop,
GrassSandBottomTopLeft,
GrassSandRightLeft,
GrassSandRightTop,
GrassSandRightTopLeft,
GrassSandBottomRight,
GrassSandBottomTop
}
The values i added was
GrassSandBottomRight,
GrassSandBottomTop
Your comparison never returns 0 - even if the values are equal. Any reason you don't just ask int.CompareTo to compare the values?
private static int CompareTilesToEnum(Texture2D x, Texture2D y)
{
int xValue = (int) (Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), x.Name, true));
int yValue = (int) (Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), y.Name, true));
return xValue.CompareTo(yValue);
}
Simpler and more importantly, it should actually work :)
As the error clearly states, your comparer is broken.
You need to return 0 if the values are equal.
There are some rules you must follow with any comparison method:
If A == B, then B == A (return zero both times).
If A < B and B < C, then A < C.
If A < B, then B > A
A == A (return zero if compared with itself).
(Note, the == above means that nether < nor > is true. It is permissable for two objects to be equivalent in a sort-order without being true for a corresponding Equals. We could for instance have a rule that sorted all strings containing numbers in numerical order, put all other strings and the end, but didn't care about what order those other strings were in).
These rules follow for any language (they're not programming rules, they're logic rules), there is a .NET specific one too:
5: If A != null, then A > null.
You're breaking all of the first four rules. Since Texture2D is a reference type you risk breaking rule 5 too (will throw a different exception though).
You're also lucky that .NET catches it. A different sort algorithm could well have crashed with a more confusing error or fallen into an infinite loop as it e.g found that item 6 was reported as greater than item 7 and swapped them, then soon after found that item 6 was reported as greater than item 7 and swapped them, then soon after found...
private static int CompareTilesToEnum(Texture2D x, Texture2D y)
{
//Let's deal with nulls first
if(ReferenceEquals(x, y))//both null or both same item
return 0;
if(x == null)
return -1;
if(y == null)
return 1;
//Enum has a CompareTo that works on integral value, so why not just use that?
return Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), x.Name, true)).CompareTo(Enum.Parse(typeof(TileTyp), y.Name, true)));
}
(This assumes a failure in the parsing is impossible and doesn't have to be considered).

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