Get Computer Name Question

I found the following example in a response by Cimperiali in regards to how to get the ComputerName. It seems pretty straightforward, but I have a question...

Is there a reason that MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH is set in a Constant? Can't you just put 'dwLen = 32' instead of 'dwLen = MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1' since we know that 'MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1' is always 32?

Code:

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'example by Donavon Kuhn ([email protected])
Private Const MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH As Long = 31
Private Declare Function GetComputerName Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetComputerNameA" (ByVal lpBuffer As String, nSize As Long) As Long
Private Sub Form_Load()
 Dim dwLen As Long
 Dim strString As String
 'Create a buffer
 dwLen = MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH + 1
 strString = String(dwLen, "X")
 'Get the computer name
 GetComputerName strString, dwLen
 'get only the actual data
 strString = Left(strString, dwLen)
 'Show the computer name
 MsgBox strString
End Sub

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Sure, but it makes the code much more readable. 32 is just a number which doesn't really have a meaning. Look at it in a few months from now and you won't know where it comes from. The way it is done here, with a constant, you won't have any problems understanding it.

Also, if the number should change, it's easier to put it in a constant and change it once than having to change it wherever it appears. I guess it comes down to the fact that putting this stuff in a constant is just good programming practice.

You know what the sad part is?

Code:

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Dim compName as String
compName = Environ$("COMPUTERNAME")

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note; NT/2k/XP only ;)

btw, nothing of wrong in making it:
Private Const MAX_COMPUTERNAME_LENGTH As Long = 32

by the way, the max lenght for a computer name allowable under windows xp, is 63 characters. try setting your name to this:
123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123
and then type some more.. denied

so maybe that code should be max length of 63,
dont forget that 1 is added to the 63, because the string MUST be terminated with a 0x00 character (64 characters, less one for null terminator = 63)

that's under win xp..
i think under other primitive os, and maybe NT too, max length is 32, less one null terminator, hence 31. I vote CImperialis code be left alone at 31, as it more accurately reflects the truth; (unless its windows xp, then it should = 63)

additionally, the maximum length for a NETBIOS name is 15 bytes, so you can create network headaches for yourself by making computers with names longer than this..

so stick to names less than 16, and all problems are solved! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cjard

You know what the sad part is?

Code:

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Dim compName as String
compName = Environ$("COMPUTERNAME")

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note; NT/2k/XP only ;)

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I would love to use this in my code instead of the other, but a lot of the client computers are still running Win98.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Captain Nuss

Also, if the number should change, it's easier to put it in a constant and change it once than having to change it wherever it appears.

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I agree, but for this particular instance, I would only need to use it once.

Thanks for all your input!