ASP. NET Data Web Controls Kick Start

by Mitchell, Scott

• ISBN13: 9780672325014
• ISBN10: 0672325012
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-12
• Publisher: Sams Publishing

Summary

Utilizing the more advanced features of the Data Web Controls has many developers stumped. These controls are fairly simple to use when it comes to simple data display. However, they can do much more than merely present data. For example, the DataGrid Web Control allows for sorting, paging, and editing of data. In addition, these controls allow for templating of data, which can be used to provide more complex views. The DataGrid, DataList, and Repeater forum on the Microsoft ASP.NET Forums received more than 2,100 posts in the first month and a half of use, or over 35 posts per day on average. As the Web master of an ASP.NET Web site, Scott has also received numerous emails from readers and visitors asking questions about these Web Controls.ASP.NET Data Web Controlsis likely to be an indispensable item in every ASP.NET developer's toolbox.

Author Biography

As editor and main contributor to 4GuysFromRolla.com, a popular ASP/ASP.NET resource Web site, Scott Mitchell has authored hundreds of articles on Microsoft Web Technologies since 1998. In addition to his vast collection of online article, Scott has written three previous books on ASP/ASP.NET: Sams Teach Yourself Active Server Pages 3.0 in 21 Days (Sams); Designing Active Server Pages (O'Reilly); and ASP.NET: Tips, Tutorials, and Code (Sams). Scott has also written a number of magazine articles, including articles for Microsoft's MSDN Magazine and asp.netPRO.

Scott's non-writing accomplishments include speaking at numerous ASP/ASP.NET user groups across the country and at ASP.NET conferences. Scott has also taught three ASP.NET classes at the University of California¿San Diego University Extension. Additionally, he created WebForums.NET, which was purchased by Microsoft and transformed into the ASP.NET Forums (with numerous enhancements added by Rob Howard and his team). The ASP.NET Forums can be visited online at http://www.asp.net/Forums/. Currently, Scott is wrapping up his master's degree in computer science at the University of California¿San Diego. Scott can be reached at [e-mail].

Table of Contents

Introduction.

I. DISPLAYING DATA.

1. An Introduction to the DataGrid, DataList, and Repeater.

What Are Data Web Controls? The DataGrid Web Control. The DataList Web Control. The Repeater Web Control. Determining What Data Web Control to Use. Summary. On the Web.

2. Binding Data to the Data Controls.

Specifying a DataSource. The Ins and Outs of the DataBind() Method. Building a Class that Implements IEnumerable. Summary. On the Web.

3. Customizing the HTML Output.

Specifying Display Properties in the DataGrid and DataList. Customizing Data-Binding Output in Templates. Summary. On the Web.

II. ASSIGNING ACTIONS TO THE DATA WEB CONTROLS.

4. Adding Buttons and Hyperlinks to the DataGrid Web Control.

A Quick Review of the DataGrid Column Controls. Adding Button Columns to the DataGrid Web Control. Adding HyperLinkColumns to the DataGrid Web Control. Summary. On the Web.

5. Adding Command Buttons to the Data Web Controls.

Adding a Command Button to a Template. Command Buttons That Trigger Events Other Than ItemCommand. Creating Select Command Buttons. Summary. On the Web.

6. Using External Web Controls to Achieve Effects on the Web Control.

Creating Filtering Buttons. Doing a Batch Update. Summary. On the Web.

III. ADVANCED FEATURES OF THE DATAGRID WEB CONTROL.

7. Sorting the DataGrid's Data.

Providing Simple Sorting Support in the DataGrid Web Control. Adding Advanced Sorting Features. Caching the DataGrid's DataSource at the Page Level. Summary. On the Web.

8. Providing DataGrid Pagination.

Adding Paging Support to the DataGrid. Providing a More Elegant Paging Interface. Paging Through the DataGrid Using Custom Paging. Paging Through a Cached DataSet. Summary. On the Web.

9. Editing the DataGrid Web Control.

The DataGrid's Editing Interface. Editing Data with No Foreign Keys That Can Be Edited in a TextBox. Using Other Controls to Edit Data. Editing Data That Has Foreign Key Constraints. Adding Validation Controls to the Editing Interface. Summary. On the Web.

10. Putting It All Together: A Real-World Example.

An Overview on Providing Sorting, Paging, and Data Modification Features for a Single DataGrid. Providing Sorting and Pagination Support in a Single DataGrid. Adding Data Modification Support to a Sortable and Pageable DataGrid. The Complete Source Code for a Multi-Functional DataGrid. Summary. On the Web.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS DATA CONTROL TOPICS.

11. Altering the Data Before It's Rendered.

Using Custom Functions and Data-Binding Syntax to Modify the Display of Data Based on Its Value. Using the ItemDataBound Event to Modify the Display of Data Based on Its Value. Summary. On the Web.

12. Creating Custom Column Controls for the DataGrid.

DataGrid Column Basics. Steps for Creating a Robust Custom DataGrid Column. Using Custom DataGrid Columns to Extend the Functionality of the DataGrid. Summary. On the Web.

Index.