Proving matched pair

[AlexanderBB]

I have 4 strings. How might I use VBA to determine if two and identical and the other two are also identical.
Thanks. I sense this must be blindingy simple but I'm not finding a solution, without gerting really messy.

 

[Peter_SSs]

So you want a True for two sets of matching pairs and False for anything else?

Also, what if all four strings are identical? Does that count as two matching pairs?

 

[AlexanderBB]

The four will never be identical that's been proven beforehand.
And yes, True for two matched pairs, else false would be perfect.

 

[Peter_SSs]

See if this is any use then. (It does return True for 4 identical strings)

Sub TwoPairs()
  Dim FourStrings As Variant
  Dim s As String
  
  FourStrings = Split("Cat|big dog|big dog|Cat", "|")
  
  s = "|" & Join(FourStrings, "||") & "|"
  s = Replace(s, Left(s, InStr(1, s, "||")), "", , , 0)
  s = Replace(s, Left(s, InStr(1, s, "||")), "", , , 0)
  MsgBox s = vbNullString
End Sub

 

[AlexanderBB]

That's pretty mind boggling Peter! I've thrown a heap of things at it and the true/false return never fails.
Many thanks.

 

[Peter_SSs]

I've thrown a heap of things at it and the true/false return never fails.

Pleased to hear that as I didn't test all that thoroughly.

You're welcome once again.

 

[Peter_SSs]

Actually, I just thought about it some more and it isn't robust. Try with
"Cat|big dog|big dog|big dog"


I don't have enough time now, but I think there should be an easy fix. I will get back to you later.

 

[Peter_SSs]

I did have time to take a stab. Try this (almost untested) one.

Sub TwoPairs()
  Dim FourStrings As Variant
  Dim s As String
  
  FourStrings = Split("Cat|big dog|big dog|big dog", "|")

  s = "|" & Join(FourStrings, "||") & "|"
  s = Replace(s, Left(s, InStr(1, s, "||")), "", , 2, 0)
  s = Replace(s, Left(s, InStr(1, s, "||")), "", , 2, 0)
  MsgBox s = vbNullString
End Sub

 

[AlexanderBB]

I never had a test with 3 + 1 and should have! Maybe after deployed.
Now handles that - and needs idendical casing, which is preferred too.
Thanks for v2

 

[Peter_SSs]

Cheers. Hope it holds up under testing. ?