Introduction.

This sample code describes a Web service through which a client can get the equivalent of a number in words. This can be used in many applications such as accounting packages and invoices.

Requirements.

The following items describe the recommended hardware, software, network infrastructure, skills, prior knowledge, and service packs you will need.

• Windows 2000 Server
• IIS version 5.0
• Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 

To Get The Words For A Given Number.

By using this sample code in an IIS Server, we can have a web service which will
convert a given number into it's equivalent in words. For example, if you are in need of a code which converts a total amount into words, such as, for $ 43.25, if you need the words like Forty three dollars and twenty five cents, you can use this web service.

Here goes the sample code for the same.

******************START******************
<%@ WebService Language="VB" Class="NumberToWords" %>
Imports System
Imports System.Collections
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports System.Web
Imports System.Web.Services
Imports Microsoft.VisualBasic

Public Class NumberToWords
Inherits System.Web.Services.WebService
<WebMethod(Description:="Gets the words for a Number", EnableSession:=False)> _
Public Function getWords(ByVal myNumber As String) As String
getWords = SpellNumber(myNumber)
End Function

'Main Function
Private Function SpellNumber(ByVal MyNumber As String)
Dim Dollars, Cents, Temp
Dim DecimalPlace, Count
Dim Place(9) As String
Place(2) = " Thousand "
Place(3) = " Million "
Place(4) = " Billion "
Place(5) = " Trillion "
' String representation of amount
MyNumber = Convert.ToString(MyNumber)
' Position of decimal place 0 if none
DecimalPlace = InStr(MyNumber, ".")
'Convert cents and set MyNumber to dollar amount
If DecimalPlace > 0 Then
Cents = GetTens(Left(Mid(MyNumber, DecimalPlace + 1) & "00", 2))
MyNumber = Trim(Left(MyNumber, DecimalPlace - 1))
End If
Count = 1
Do While MyNumber <> ""
Temp = GetHundreds(Right(MyNumber, 3))
If Temp <> "" Then Dollars = Temp & Place(Count) & Dollars
If Len(MyNumber) > 3 Then
MyNumber = Left(MyNumber, Len(MyNumber) - 3)
Else
MyNumber = ""
End If
Count = Count + 1
Loop
Select Case Dollars
Case ""
Dollars = "zero Dollars"
Case "One"
Dollars = "One Dollar"
Case Else
Dollars = Dollars & " Dollars"
End Select
Select Case Cents
Case ""
Cents = " and zero Cents"
Case "One"
Cents = " and One Cent"
Case Else
Cents = " and " & Cents & " Cents"
End Select
SpellNumber = Dollars & Cents
End Function
'Converts a number from 100-999 into text
Private Function GetHundreds(ByVal MyNumber As String)
Dim Result As String
If Val(MyNumber) = 0 Then Exit Function
MyNumber = Right("000" & MyNumber, 3)
'Convert the hundreds place
If Mid(MyNumber, 1, 1) <> "0" Then
Result = GetDigit(Mid(MyNumber, 1, 1)) & " Hundred "
End If
'Convert the tens and ones place
If Mid(MyNumber, 2, 1) <> "0" Then
Result = Result & GetTens(Mid(MyNumber, 2))
Else
Result = Result & GetDigit(Mid(MyNumber, 3))
End If
GetHundreds = Result
End Function

'Converts a number from 10 to 99 into text
Private Function GetTens(ByVal TensText As String)
Dim Result As String
Result = "" 'null out the temporary function value
If Val(Left(TensText, 1)) = 1 Then ' If value between 10-19
Select Case Val(TensText)
Case 10 : Result = "Ten"
Case 11 : Result = "Eleven"
Case 12 : Result = "Twelve"
Case 13 : Result = "Thirteen"
Case 14 : Result = "Fourteen"
Case 15 : Result = "Fifteen"
Case 16 : Result = "Sixteen"
Case 17 : Result = "Seventeen"
Case 18 : Result = "Eighteen"
Case 19 : Result = "Nineteen"
Case Else
End Select
Else ' If value between 20-99
Select Case Val(Left(TensText, 1))
Case 2 : Result = "Twenty "
Case 3 : Result = "Thirty "
Case 4 : Result = "Forty "
Case 5 : Result = "Fifty "
Case 6 : Result = "Sixty "
Case 7 : Result = "Seventy "
Case 8 : Result = "Eighty "
Case 9 : Result = "Ninety "
Case Else
End Select
Result = Result & GetDigit(Right(TensText, 1)) 'Retrieve ones place
End If
GetTens = Result
End Function

'Converts a number from 1 to 9 into text
Private Function GetDigit(ByVal Digit As String)
Select Case Val(Digit)
Case 1 : GetDigit = "One"
Case 2 : GetDigit = "Two"
Case 3 : GetDigit = "Three"
Case 4 : GetDigit = "Four"
Case 5 : GetDigit = "Five"
Case 6 : GetDigit = "Six"
Case 7 : GetDigit = "Seven"
Case 8 : GetDigit = "Eight"
Case 9 : GetDigit = "Nine"
Case Else : GetDigit = ""
End Select
End Function
End Class
'***************************END***********************************
For making this as a web service,

1. Open your Notepad 
2. Copy the code shown above and paste into the Notepad
3. Save the file as NumberToWords.asmx into c:\InetPub\wwwroot folder in your System
4. Run the web service by requesting for the file in the browser. (http://localhost/NumberToWords.asmx)
5. Check the same by giving different numbers with decimals and invoking the service.

References

• For more information about how to write, use web services in your web Application Development, browse to the following MSDN Web site:
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/webservices/