VB2010 String adds up Length by adding ""
<p>I'am comparing <code>Strings</code> in Visual Basic 2010 Express. While cuting the <code>String</code> together it sometimes adds a <code>Char</code> with <code>""</code>, what I hoped is "nothing"</p>

<p>Example:</p>

<pre><code>Dim text as String = "test"
Dim sign as Char = ""
text = text + sign
</code></pre>

<p>while debuging it says that the new text is <code>"test"</code>, but if I ask for the <code>Length</code> it is 5.</p>

<p>This is a problem when I try to compare this with an other <code>String</code></p>

<pre><code>Dim bigtext as String = "test1234"
Dim text as String = "test"
Dim sign as Char = ""
text = text + sign
bigtext.indexOf(text) 'should be 0 (index), but is -1 (not found)
</code></pre>

<p>any idea how to filter a <code>""</code> away or any other workaround?</p>

<hr>

<p>Edit - my workoround for now:</p>

<p>Now I add <code>"§"</code> everywhere instead of <code>""</code> and when I need to use <code>indexOf()</code> to compare something, I <code>Replace("§", "")</code> it. <BR>
(with <code>Replace()</code> it is deleted)</p>