.NET equivalent of the old vb left(string, length) function

Here’s an extension method that will do the job.

<System.Runtime.CompilerServices.Extension()> _
Public Function Left(ByVal str As String, ByVal length As Integer) As String
    Return str.Substring(0, Math.Min(str.Length, length))
End Function

This means you can use it just like the old VB Left function (i.e. Left("foobar", 3) ) or using the newer VB.NET syntax, i.e.

Dim foo = "f".Left(3) ' foo = "f"
Dim bar = "bar123".Left(3) ' bar = "bar"