Binaryworld - GetControlsByType - Retrieving an array of controls of the specified t ... [ VB.net -> Controls ]

' Returns an array of controls of the specified type,
' found within the specified parent control (or the form itself).
' Note: the search is optionally done recursively, by checking also controls'
' child controls
' Example: get an array with the form's textboxes
' Dim textboxes() As TextBox = GetControlsByType(Me, GetType(TextBox))

Function GetControlsByType(ByVal container As Control, _
  ByVal ctlType As Type) As Control()
  Dim al As New ArrayList()
  Dim ctl As Control
  For Each ctl In container.Controls
    GetControlsByTypeHelper(container, ctlType, al)
  Next
  Return al.ToArray(GetType(Control))
End Function

Sub GetControlsByTypeHelper(ByVal container As Control, ByVal ctlType As Type, _
  ByVal al As ArrayList)
  Dim ctl As Control
  ' if the passed control is of the specified type, add it to the ArrayList
  If TypeName(container) = ctlType.Name Then
    al.Add(container)
  End If
  ' recursively call this routine for all the child controls
  For Each ctl In container.Controls
    GetControlsByTypeHelper(ctl, ctlType, al)
  Next
End Sub