Best and simple data structure

Question

I am trying to create the below matrix in my vb.net so during processing I can get the match scores for the alphabets, for example: What is the match for A and N?, I will look into my inbuilt matrix and return -2 Similarly, What is the match for P and L?, I will look into my inbuilt matrix and return -3

Please suggest me how to go about it, I was trying to use nested dictionary like this:

Dim myNestedDictionary As New Dictionary(Of String, Dictionary(Of String, Integer))()
Dim lTempDict As New Dictionary(Of String, Integer)
lTempDict.Add("A", 4)
myNestedDictionary.Add("A", lTempDict)

The other way could be is to read the Matrix from a text based file and then fill the two dimensional array.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Use a two dimensional array and create a mapping for your alphabet as an enumeration that will also serve as an index into the arrays:

public enum AlphaBet
{
   A = 0,
   R = 1,
   ...
}

// Init the array
int[][] scores = ...;

int score = scores[AlphaBet.A][AlphaBet.N]; // score = -2

Answer 2

take one dictionary that maps char to int. the ints must be sequential. then take 2d array, thats it. first you look into dictionary for index for both chars then go to array

Answer 3

I would think it would be simpler to use an un-nested dictionary with two-character keys.

myDictionary.add("AA", 4)