/// <summary>
/// Remove the value belongs to a key, if key exists
/// </summary>
/// <param name="key"></param>
/// <param name="position"></param>
/// <returns>boolean indicaties if the function shall continue with deletion process</returns>
public bool Remove(string key, int position)
{
if (key == null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException("key");
}
if (EndOfString(position, key))
{
// check if the key is part of longer key
if (BelongsToLongerKey())
{
// if true remove only the value
RemoveValue();
// prevent the backward removal of the key
return(false);
}
// the key is either a unique key or contains a shorter key
// return true so the function can continue deleting
return(true);
}
// had to use stack approach since no backward approach
// replace this with get or null child and check if null return false
TrieNodeBase <TValue> child = GetChildOrNull(key, position);
if (child is null)
{
return(false);
}
bool removeRecursively = child.Remove(key, position + 1);
// check if a delete signal from the previous call
if (removeRecursively)
{
RemoveChild(key, position);
// discontinue the delete process if a subkey has a value or if it contains another key
return(!HasValue() && !BelongsToLongerKey());
}
return(false);
}
