Hi,

    I'm using VB 5 and would like so use functions such as
GetPrivateProfileString. I'm declaring the function OK, and the function
call works. However, I do have a problem with the returned data ( in one of
the parameters) -

With GetPrivateProfileString, If I Dim lpReturnedString as a String I get an
error ( which seems to make sense, as the API call requires a C
string/storage space)

If I dim lpReturnedString Like this -

Dim sTemp As String * 255

The function call works, but the string contains unprintable chars after the
correct data

Any help would be appreciated.

Steve

Steve,

The return value from GetPrivateProfileString contains the number of
characters actually read.  So just use
    RetStr$ = left$(sTemp, lRet&)
where lRet& is the value returned from the function call.

HTH

Peter

<cut>

In this case the return value is the number of valid characters so you can
use Left$ to peel them from the fixed string.  Another option is to use
Instr to find the first 'vbNullChar' and then pull off everything before
that.  Which to use depends on the particular API call -- not all return the
length so for some you have to find the null.