What does the $ symbol do in VBA?

Question

For example:

variable1=Dir$(some_path) 

vs.

variable1=Dir(some_path) 

What is the difference?

Why not just do:

variable1=string(Dir(some_path)) 

Answer 1

Here is a Cheat Sheet for DataTypes

Variable End with:

$ : String % : Integer (Int16) & : Long (Int32) ! : Single # : Double @ : Decimal 

Start with:

&H : Hex &O : Octal 

Comparison between VB and VB.Net (reference)

Visual Studio .Net added Literal Types (reference)

Value End with: (For more complete list, refer the the reference)

S : Short (Int16) I : Integer (Int32) L : Long (Int64) F : Single R : Double D : Decimal 

Answer 2

I think that the $ version returns a String, and the non $ version returns a variant.

Mid vs Mid$

http://forums.devarticles.com/microsoft-access-development-49/mid-function-vs-mid-26315.html