C# - Creating form objects from a base control?

[Gun Slinger]

Hi i just have a quick question.

I ran a search but i was not sure really how to word it correctly and couldnt find anything.

I would like to know how I can create a form object like a textbox, label or combo box from the one variable?

Obviously for a label it is easy by itself, i have just been doing..

public System.Windows.Forms.Label[,] obj_field_control = new System.Windows.Forms.Label[19, 9];

but now i want to have this public declaration as a variant type array that allows me to create different objects depending on what i assign it. Is this only possible through inheritence?

I want to make it

public System.Windows.Forms.VariantObjectThing[,] obj_field_control = new System.Windows.Forms.VariantObjectThing[19, 9];

and then simply be able to do

obj_field_control[0, 0] = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();
obj_field_control[0, 1] = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
obj_field_control[0, 2] = new System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox();

I would appreciate any help :)

Thanks

[weaknessforcats]

I am moving this to the .NET forum.

[Plater]

Hmm.
You might be able to get away with using an array of Control[,] and then assigning the various index positions to be a TextBox or Label or whatever.
There is also a ControlCollection object that you can .Add() to?
Although you might consider trying to use a more generic approach and using like LinkedList (LinkedList<Control>) or ArrayList.

[Gun Slinger]

Hi thanks for the replys guys. Also sorry, i thought i did post it in the .net forum.

You suggested using the .control fuction correct? i have actually tried this before, but maybe my method was incorrect...

i have tried:

public System.Windows.Forms.Control[,] obj_field_control = new System.Windows.Forms.ComboBox[19, 9];

Just to see if any of of the combobox controls would actually work. However i get an error saying that the .item is not a recognised command for a control.

I have also tried:

public System.Windows.Forms.Control[,] obj_field_control = new System.Windows.Forms.Control[19, 9];

obj_field_control[0, 1] = new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox();

But it gave my the same kind of problem, as it only gives a generic amount of commands for the control.



That control collection add sounds like a good idea, but after i have added the object, how do i actually reference it?

obj_field_control[0, 1].Add(new System.Windows.Forms.TextBox());

What would i make this so i can reference the location of the textbox?

obj_field_control[0, 1].Location

EDIT

I have found that if i write the syntax like this:

obj_field_control[0, 1][0].Location

It works, however i find that the [0] is a bit of a pain as it will remove some of the efficiency of my program. Any ideas?

EDIT 2:

After trying it out a little bit i have still found that the control collection will not allow me to use properties that are uncommon with all objects. The .Item will still not work. Any suggestions?

[Gun Slinger]

Thanks for the help.

I managed to fix it myself. I just ended up using a Control and then type casting the controls like (TextBox). Works like a charm. Thanks

[Plater]

Yeah after your other post I was going to say you need to remember to cast the control back to it's correct type to get all the extra properties and such.