How to get a usercontrol to automatically add code to the initialization code in a form...

[Simon Verona]

Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[One Handed Man \( OHM - Terry Burns \)]

OK Simon, heres one way to do it. ( in my case the bindings were to a checked property on the class and a checkbox on the usercontrol
Dim f As Form1 = Me.ParentForm

Me.CheckBox1.Da taBindings.Add( "Checked", f.aPerson, "Checked")
--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:eh******** *****@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

If you have a code sample that you could post, I'd be eternally grateful ...

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:eI******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Hi Simon.

Just a "wild guess":

If your Object is on the Form or in the ComponentsTray, then you can iterate through that collection until you've found your Object during Design-Time. This can be done by capturing the OnComponentAdde d-Event of the IComponentChang eService (This service would be implemented in your custom control). You could also set a trigger in the OnComponentChan ged-Event when the Property of "PropertyNa me" has changed.

This all of course can only work if your Object to which you want to bind is on the Form or ComponentTray (during design-time).
If this approach could help you, I would be glad to "get you on the road" with the 'IComponentChan geService' .

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uC******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks for the reply... I'm not 100% sure I'm following how I would use your advice!

I've done some more work on the subject, and ideally it looks like I need some way of dynamically "getting" the object that I want to bind to from within my control.

eg something like...

ObjectName="nam e_of_object_on_ form"
PropertyName="n ame_of_property _to bind_to"
dim obj as object
obj=XXXXXX(obje ctname) <---- this is the line I need which retrieves the object from the parent form.
me.databinding. add("text",obj, PropertyName)

I think if I could work this out then I would solve the problem?

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
Hi Simon,

I might be entirely "off track" but if I understand your issue well, you could use a "IComponentChan geService".
I have created a Component which "Watches" all Components/Controls Added, Removed, Property Edited, ... on a Windows Form.
You could also use a "IComponentChan geService" directly in your Custom Control.

Having this done you could catch the "OnComponentAdd ed"-Event and put some code in it to set your bindings.

As I said: I'm not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if I did I think this might be a solution.

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

No it's a Windows Form..

It refers to my question last week about data binding to a simple object. Which works fine... except that you need to manually add some code to databind the text boxes to the object in your main form...

I'm trying to get is so that somehow this step is automated.

I've created an inherited text box that allows me to enter the name of the object and the property to bind to. This is the easy bit.. I'm still working on some way of getting the actual binding to be "automatic" ie not require the binding code to be added manually. I'd therefore like the binding code to be added automatically in the control intialization code where it sets all the control properties.. or alternatively, find some way of doing the binding from the control itself, once the object and property names are set...

Does this make sense?

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:eF******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
I assume this is a webform you are talking about. If so, each userconrol has its owen Page_load event. In this you should be able to bind and object in the parent container, dont have time to look up the properties now but in psuedo I imagine if would be something like.
Me.Parent.Contr ol.DataBindings .Add( Text, me, Property)

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:OA******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[Michael Maes]

Hi Simon,

I will look into it tonight or tomorrow.

Until then!

J

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:eh******** *****@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

If you have a code sample that you could post, I'd be eternally grateful ...

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:eI******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Hi Simon.

Just a "wild guess":

If your Object is on the Form or in the ComponentsTray, then you can iterate through that collection until you've found your Object during Design-Time. This can be done by capturing the OnComponentAdde d-Event of the IComponentChang eService (This service would be implemented in your custom control). You could also set a trigger in the OnComponentChan ged-Event when the Property of "PropertyNa me" has changed.

This all of course can only work if your Object to which you want to bind is on the Form or ComponentTray (during design-time).
If this approach could help you, I would be glad to "get you on the road" with the 'IComponentChan geService' .

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uC******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks for the reply... I'm not 100% sure I'm following how I would use your advice!

I've done some more work on the subject, and ideally it looks like I need some way of dynamically "getting" the object that I want to bind to from within my control.

eg something like...

ObjectName="nam e_of_object_on_ form"
PropertyName="n ame_of_property _to bind_to"
dim obj as object
obj=XXXXXX(obje ctname) <---- this is the line I need which retrieves the object from the parent form.
me.databinding. add("text",obj, PropertyName)

I think if I could work this out then I would solve the problem?

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
Hi Simon,

I might be entirely "off track" but if I understand your issue well, you could use a "IComponentChan geService".
I have created a Component which "Watches" all Components/Controls Added, Removed, Property Edited, ... on a Windows Form.
You could also use a "IComponentChan geService" directly in your Custom Control.

Having this done you could catch the "OnComponentAdd ed"-Event and put some code in it to set your bindings.

As I said: I'm not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if I did I think this might be a solution.

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

No it's a Windows Form..

It refers to my question last week about data binding to a simple object. Which works fine... except that you need to manually add some code to databind the text boxes to the object in your main form...

I'm trying to get is so that somehow this step is automated.

I've created an inherited text box that allows me to enter the name of the object and the property to bind to. This is the easy bit.. I'm still working on some way of getting the actual binding to be "automatic" ie not require the binding code to be added manually. I'd therefore like the binding code to be added automatically in the control intialization code where it sets all the control properties.. or alternatively, find some way of doing the binding from the control itself, once the object and property names are set...

Does this make sense?

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:eF******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
I assume this is a webform you are talking about. If so, each userconrol has its owen Page_load event. In this you should be able to bind and object in the parent container, dont have time to look up the properties now but in psuedo I imagine if would be something like.
Me.Parent.Contr ol.DataBindings .Add( Text, me, Property)

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:OA******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[Simon Verona]

Terry,

Thanks for that.

I presume that in your example, "aperson" is an object created within the form. My scenario is identical EXCEPT that I don't know at coding time the name of the object - it will be dynamically assigned at design time...

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
OK Simon, heres one way to do it. ( in my case the bindings were to a checked property on the class and a checkbox on the usercontrol
Dim f As Form1 = Me.ParentForm

Me.CheckBox1.Da taBindings.Add( "Checked", f.aPerson, "Checked")
--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:eh******** *****@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

If you have a code sample that you could post, I'd be eternally grateful ...

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:eI******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Hi Simon.

Just a "wild guess":

If your Object is on the Form or in the ComponentsTray, then you can iterate through that collection until you've found your Object during Design-Time. This can be done by capturing the OnComponentAdde d-Event of the IComponentChang eService (This service would be implemented in your custom control). You could also set a trigger in the OnComponentChan ged-Event when the Property of "PropertyNa me" has changed.

This all of course can only work if your Object to which you want to bind is on the Form or ComponentTray (during design-time).
If this approach could help you, I would be glad to "get you on the road" with the 'IComponentChan geService' .

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uC******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks for the reply... I'm not 100% sure I'm following how I would use your advice!

I've done some more work on the subject, and ideally it looks like I need some way of dynamically "getting" the object that I want to bind to from within my control.

eg something like...

ObjectName="nam e_of_object_on_ form"
PropertyName="n ame_of_property _to bind_to"
dim obj as object
obj=XXXXXX(obje ctname) <---- this is the line I need which retrieves the object from the parent form.
me.databinding. add("text",obj, PropertyName)

I think if I could work this out then I would solve the problem?

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
Hi Simon,

I might be entirely "off track" but if I understand your issue well, you could use a "IComponentChan geService".
I have created a Component which "Watches" all Components/Controls Added, Removed, Property Edited, ... on a Windows Form.
You could also use a "IComponentChan geService" directly in your Custom Control.

Having this done you could catch the "OnComponentAdd ed"-Event and put some code in it to set your bindings.

As I said: I'm not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if I did I think this might be a solution.

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

No it's a Windows Form..

It refers to my question last week about data binding to a simple object. Which works fine... except that you need to manually add some code to databind the text boxes to the object in your main form...

I'm trying to get is so that somehow this step is automated.

I've created an inherited text box that allows me to enter the name of the object and the property to bind to. This is the easy bit.. I'm still working on some way of getting the actual binding to be "automatic" ie not require the binding code to be added manually. I'd therefore like the binding code to be added automatically in the control intialization code where it sets all the control properties.. or alternatively, find some way of doing the binding from the control itself, once the object and property names are set...

Does this make sense?

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:eF******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
I assume this is a webform you are talking about. If so, each userconrol has its owen Page_load event. In this you should be able to bind and object in the parent container, dont have time to look up the properties now but in psuedo I imagine if would be something like.
Me.Parent.Contr ol.DataBindings .Add( Text, me, Property)

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:OA******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[Michael Maes]

OK Simon,

Here we go.......
Remember: this is a very Basic example without any error-handling, etc.... You should defenitly include that, else you will receive some errors at design-time.

If I understood your issue and you know how to set the Binding to your Objects, then I beleive this will defenitly help you.

Best regards,

Michael

Imports System.Componen tModel

Imports System.Componen tModel.Design

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

''' Project : ObjectBoundText Box

''' Class : ojbTextBox

'''

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

''' <summary>

''' Just a 'Basic-Demonstration'

''' </summary>

''' <remarks>

''' </remarks>

''' <history>

''' [Michael.Maes] 28/06/2004 Created

''' </history>

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Class ojbTextBox

Inherits System.Windows. Forms.TextBox

#Region " Declarations "

Dim ChangeService As IComponentChang eService

#End Region

#Region " Properties "

Dim _ObjectName As String

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Browsable(True) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Description("Th e name of an object this TextBox must bind to.")> _

Public Property ObjectName() As String

Get

Return _ObjectName

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As String)

_ObjectName = Value

End Set

End Property

Dim _PropertyName As String

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Browsable(True) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Description("Th e name of the property this TextBox must bind to.")> _

Public Property PropertyName() As String

Get

Return _PropertyName

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As String)

_PropertyName = Value

End Set

End Property

Public Overrides Property Site() As ISite

Get

Return MyBase.Site

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As ISite)

ClearChangeNoti fications()

MyBase.Site = Value

ChangeService = CType(GetServic e(GetType(IComp onentChangeServ ice)), IComponentChang eService)

RegisterChangeN otifications()

End Set

End Property

#End Region

#Region " Event-Handlers "

Private Sub OnComponentChan ged(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentChange dEventArgs)

If Not (ce.Component Is Nothing) And Not (ce.Member Is Nothing) Then

Select Case ce.Member.Name

Case "ObjectName ", "PropertyNa me"

If ce.Component.Re ferenceEquals(c e.Component, Me) Then

' We have the right Instance of our ojbTextBox, so continue...

' Here you have to put your Handling code to Bind to your Object.

DirectCast(ce.C omponent, ojbTextBox).Tex t = ce.NewValue.ToS tring ' This is just a "Dummy Sample"

End If

End Select

End If

End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentChan ging(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentChangi ngEventArgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentAdde d(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentAddi ng(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRemo ved(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRemo ving(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRena me(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentRename EventArgs)
End Sub

#End Region

#Region " ChangeNotificat ions "

Private Sub ClearChangeNoti fications()

ChangeService = CType(GetServic e(GetType(IComp onentChangeServ ice)), IComponentChang eService)

If Not (ChangeService Is Nothing) Then

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentChanged , AddressOf OnComponentChan ged

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentChangin g, AddressOf OnComponentChan ging

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdded, AddressOf OnComponentAdde d

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdding, AddressOf OnComponentAddi ng

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemoved , AddressOf OnComponentRemo ved

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemovin g, AddressOf OnComponentRemo ving

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRename, AddressOf OnComponentRena me

End If

End Sub

Private Sub RegisterChangeN otifications()

If Not (ChangeService Is Nothing) Then

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentChanged , AddressOf OnComponentChan ged

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentChangin g, AddressOf OnComponentChan ging

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdded, AddressOf OnComponentAdde d

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdding, AddressOf OnComponentAddi ng

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemoved , AddressOf OnComponentRemo ved

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemovin g, AddressOf OnComponentRemo ving

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRename, AddressOf OnComponentRena me

End If

End Sub

#End Region

End Class

[Simon Verona]

Michael,

Thanks very much for digging out the code.

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:u$******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
OK Simon,

Here we go.......
Remember: this is a very Basic example without any error-handling, etc.... You should defenitly include that, else you will receive some errors at design-time.

If I understood your issue and you know how to set the Binding to your Objects, then I beleive this will defenitly help you.

Best regards,

Michael

Imports System.Componen tModel

Imports System.Componen tModel.Design

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

''' Project : ObjectBoundText Box

''' Class : ojbTextBox

'''

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

''' <summary>

''' Just a 'Basic-Demonstration'

''' </summary>

''' <remarks>

''' </remarks>

''' <history>

''' [Michael.Maes] 28/06/2004 Created

''' </history>

''' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Class ojbTextBox

Inherits System.Windows. Forms.TextBox

#Region " Declarations "

Dim ChangeService As IComponentChang eService

#End Region

#Region " Properties "

Dim _ObjectName As String

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Browsable(True) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Description("Th e name of an object this TextBox must bind to.")> _

Public Property ObjectName() As String

Get

Return _ObjectName

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As String)

_ObjectName = Value

End Set

End Property

Dim _PropertyName As String

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Browsable(True) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Description("Th e name of the property this TextBox must bind to.")> _

Public Property PropertyName() As String

Get

Return _PropertyName

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As String)

_PropertyName = Value

End Set

End Property

Public Overrides Property Site() As ISite

Get

Return MyBase.Site

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As ISite)

ClearChangeNoti fications()

MyBase.Site = Value

ChangeService = CType(GetServic e(GetType(IComp onentChangeServ ice)), IComponentChang eService)

RegisterChangeN otifications()

End Set

End Property

#End Region

#Region " Event-Handlers "

Private Sub OnComponentChan ged(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentChange dEventArgs)

If Not (ce.Component Is Nothing) And Not (ce.Member Is Nothing) Then

Select Case ce.Member.Name

Case "ObjectName ", "PropertyNa me"

If ce.Component.Re ferenceEquals(c e.Component, Me) Then

' We have the right Instance of our ojbTextBox, so continue...

' Here you have to put your Handling code to Bind to your Object.

DirectCast(ce.C omponent, ojbTextBox).Tex t = ce.NewValue.ToS tring ' This is just a "Dummy Sample"

End If

End Select

End If

End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentChan ging(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentChangi ngEventArgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentAdde d(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentAddi ng(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRemo ved(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRemo ving(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentEventA rgs)
End Sub

Private Sub OnComponentRena me(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentRename EventArgs)
End Sub

#End Region

#Region " ChangeNotificat ions "

Private Sub ClearChangeNoti fications()

ChangeService = CType(GetServic e(GetType(IComp onentChangeServ ice)), IComponentChang eService)

If Not (ChangeService Is Nothing) Then

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentChanged , AddressOf OnComponentChan ged

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentChangin g, AddressOf OnComponentChan ging

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdded, AddressOf OnComponentAdde d

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdding, AddressOf OnComponentAddi ng

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemoved , AddressOf OnComponentRemo ved

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemovin g, AddressOf OnComponentRemo ving

RemoveHandler ChangeService.C omponentRename, AddressOf OnComponentRena me

End If

End Sub

Private Sub RegisterChangeN otifications()

If Not (ChangeService Is Nothing) Then

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentChanged , AddressOf OnComponentChan ged

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentChangin g, AddressOf OnComponentChan ging

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdded, AddressOf OnComponentAdde d

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentAdding, AddressOf OnComponentAddi ng

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemoved , AddressOf OnComponentRemo ved

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRemovin g, AddressOf OnComponentRemo ving

AddHandler ChangeService.C omponentRename, AddressOf OnComponentRena me

End If

End Sub

#End Region

End Class

[Michael Maes]

Hey Simon,

Does this fully answer your questions, because I came to the conclusion I didn't point out how to actually set your binding.

On the other hand, I was thinking if your DataObjects are on the Form or ComponentTray, you could set the Binding in Design-time through the Property-Window. Sure your DataObjects must all inherit from the same BaseClass, so you could do something like:
Dim _DataSource As YourBaseClass

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Browsable(True) , _

Bindable(True), _

Description("Th e DataObject to bind the TextBox to."), _

TypeConverter(" System.Windows. Forms.Design.Da taSourceConvert er, System.Design") , _

RefreshProperti es(RefreshPrope rties.All)> _

Public Overloads Property DataSource() As Object

Get

Return _DataSource

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As Object)

_DataSource = Value

End Set

End Property

Should you use this approach, then you have to fine-tune this property, because it's for Complex-DataBinding and as you know, the TextBox-Class has Simple DataBinding. Doing this you would get a dropdown-list with all possible DataObjects your TextBox can bind to.

Anyway: should you furthermore want to make use of the 'IComponentChan geService' then you would defently need Reflection to Get/Set some values of Components/Controls which you don't know of in Design-Time. Something like:
Private Sub OnComponentRena me(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentRename EventArgs)

If IsNothing(ce) Or IsNothing(ce.Co mponent) Then Exit Sub

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim s As String = ot.GetType.ToSt ring

Dim p As PropertyInfo

' Set a Boolean-Property
p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyDesi redPropertyName ")

p.SetValue(ot, False, Nothing)

' Set a String-Property

p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyOthe rDesiredPropert yName")

p.SetValue(ot, ce.NewName, Nothing)

' Continue other logic

............... ............... ............... .............

............... ............... ............... .............

End Sub

Also keep in mind with the 'IComponentChan geService' that you address the right INSTANCE, because if you have two or more controls of the same type on a form, then it will loop through all those controls (even if this service is called from within a single control)!!

I wish you the best, and let me know if you could manage your goal.

Kind regards,

Michael

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uA******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks very much for digging out the code.

Regards
Simon

[One Handed Man \( OHM - Terry Burns \)]

Yes aPerson is an object created ( like in the previous example from Jay ) in the main form. If you dont know the name of this object, then use reflection to establish this.

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

Thanks for that.

I presume that in your example, "aperson" is an object created within the form. My scenario is identical EXCEPT that I don't know at coding time the name of the object - it will be dynamically assigned at design time...

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
OK Simon, heres one way to do it. ( in my case the bindings were to a checked property on the class and a checkbox on the usercontrol
Dim f As Form1 = Me.ParentForm

Me.CheckBox1.Da taBindings.Add( "Checked", f.aPerson, "Checked")
--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:eh******** *****@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

If you have a code sample that you could post, I'd be eternally grateful ...

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:eI******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Hi Simon.

Just a "wild guess":

If your Object is on the Form or in the ComponentsTray, then you can iterate through that collection until you've found your Object during Design-Time. This can be done by capturing the OnComponentAdde d-Event of the IComponentChang eService (This service would be implemented in your custom control). You could also set a trigger in the OnComponentChan ged-Event when the Property of "PropertyNa me" has changed.

This all of course can only work if your Object to which you want to bind is on the Form or ComponentTray (during design-time).
If this approach could help you, I would be glad to "get you on the road" with the 'IComponentChan geService' .

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uC******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks for the reply... I'm not 100% sure I'm following how I would use your advice!

I've done some more work on the subject, and ideally it looks like I need some way of dynamically "getting" the object that I want to bind to from within my control.

eg something like...

ObjectName="nam e_of_object_on_ form"
PropertyName="n ame_of_property _to bind_to"
dim obj as object
obj=XXXXXX(obje ctname) <---- this is the line I need which retrieves the object from the parent form.
me.databinding. add("text",obj, PropertyName)

I think if I could work this out then I would solve the problem?

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
Hi Simon,

I might be entirely "off track" but if I understand your issue well, you could use a "IComponentChan geService".
I have created a Component which "Watches" all Components/Controls Added, Removed, Property Edited, ... on a Windows Form.
You could also use a "IComponentChan geService" directly in your Custom Control.

Having this done you could catch the "OnComponentAdd ed"-Event and put some code in it to set your bindings.

As I said: I'm not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if I did I think this might be a solution.

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

No it's a Windows Form..

It refers to my question last week about data binding to a simple object. Which works fine... except that you need to manually add some code to databind the text boxes to the object in your main form...

I'm trying to get is so that somehow this step is automated.

I've created an inherited text box that allows me to enter the name of the object and the property to bind to. This is the easy bit.. I'm still working on some way of getting the actual binding to be "automatic" ie not require the binding code to be added manually. I'd therefore like the binding code to be added automatically in the control intialization code where it sets all the control properties.. or alternatively, find some way of doing the binding from the control itself, once the object and property names are set...

Does this make sense?

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:eF******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
I assume this is a webform you are talking about. If so, each userconrol has its owen Page_load event. In this you should be able to bind and object in the parent container, dont have time to look up the properties now but in psuedo I imagine if would be something like.
Me.Parent.Contr ol.DataBindings .Add( Text, me, Property)

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:OA******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[Simon Verona]

that was my problem I think!! I'm not sure how to code using reflection to get this!! <G>

regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:OX******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
Yes aPerson is an object created ( like in the previous example from Jay ) in the main form. If you dont know the name of this object, then use reflection to establish this.

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP12.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

Thanks for that.

I presume that in your example, "aperson" is an object created within the form. My scenario is identical EXCEPT that I don't know at coding time the name of the object - it will be dynamically assigned at design time...

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
OK Simon, heres one way to do it. ( in my case the bindings were to a checked property on the class and a checkbox on the usercontrol
Dim f As Form1 = Me.ParentForm

Me.CheckBox1.Da taBindings.Add( "Checked", f.aPerson, "Checked")
--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:eh******** *****@tk2msftng p13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

If you have a code sample that you could post, I'd be eternally grateful ...

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:eI******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Hi Simon.

Just a "wild guess":

If your Object is on the Form or in the ComponentsTray, then you can iterate through that collection until you've found your Object during Design-Time. This can be done by capturing the OnComponentAdde d-Event of the IComponentChang eService (This service would be implemented in your custom control). You could also set a trigger in the OnComponentChan ged-Event when the Property of "PropertyNa me" has changed.

This all of course can only work if your Object to which you want to bind is on the Form or ComponentTray (during design-time).
If this approach could help you, I would be glad to "get you on the road" with the 'IComponentChan geService' .

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uC******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks for the reply... I'm not 100% sure I'm following how I would use your advice!

I've done some more work on the subject, and ideally it looks like I need some way of dynamically "getting" the object that I want to bind to from within my control.

eg something like...

ObjectName="nam e_of_object_on_ form"
PropertyName="n ame_of_property _to bind_to"
dim obj as object
obj=XXXXXX(obje ctname) <---- this is the line I need which retrieves the object from the parent form.
me.databinding. add("text",obj, PropertyName)

I think if I could work this out then I would solve the problem?

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..
Hi Simon,

I might be entirely "off track" but if I understand your issue well, you could use a "IComponentChan geService".
I have created a Component which "Watches" all Components/Controls Added, Removed, Property Edited, ... on a Windows Form.
You could also use a "IComponentChan geService" directly in your Custom Control.

Having this done you could catch the "OnComponentAdd ed"-Event and put some code in it to set your bindings.

As I said: I'm not sure if I fully understood your problem, but if I did I think this might be a solution.

Regards,

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Terry,

No it's a Windows Form..

It refers to my question last week about data binding to a simple object. Which works fine... except that you need to manually add some code to databind the text boxes to the object in your main form...

I'm trying to get is so that somehow this step is automated.

I've created an inherited text box that allows me to enter the name of the object and the property to bind to. This is the easy bit.. I'm still working on some way of getting the actual binding to be "automatic" ie not require the binding code to be added manually. I'd therefore like the binding code to be added automatically in the control intialization code where it sets all the control properties.. or alternatively, find some way of doing the binding from the control itself, once the object and property names are set...

Does this make sense?

Regards
Simon
"One Handed Man ( OHM - Terry Burns )" <news.microsoft .com> wrote in message news:eF******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...
I assume this is a webform you are talking about. If so, each userconrol has its owen Page_load event. In this you should be able to bind and object in the parent container, dont have time to look up the properties now but in psuedo I imagine if would be something like.
Me.Parent.Contr ol.DataBindings .Add( Text, me, Property)

--

OHM ( Terry Burns )
. . . One-Handed-Man . . .

Time flies when you don't know what you're doing

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:OA******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Hope somebody can help!

I want to automatically be able to add code to the initialize routine on a Windows form when I add a custom control that I've written to a form.

Specifically, I'm trying to data bind to a normal class. So I've extended the standard text box to include a field for object name and property name. I want to be able to add a line such as :

controlname.Dat aBindings.Add(" Text", objectName, "myPropertyName ")
I've tried using google and looking at the documentation but can't seem to find this... I don't know if there is an alternative way of doing it in the startup code of the form (I seem to have a thought that reflection could be used to get the instance of the object for the data binding code above but I can't work out how!!).

I would be grateful for any pointers.

Many thanks in advance

Simon

[Simon Verona]

Thanks Michael,

I think I'll sit down when I have a quiet few hours and play with this... I think I have to get to grip with the concepts that you have outlined.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Hey Simon,

Does this fully answer your questions, because I came to the conclusion I didn't point out how to actually set your binding.

On the other hand, I was thinking if your DataObjects are on the Form or ComponentTray, you could set the Binding in Design-time through the Property-Window. Sure your DataObjects must all inherit from the same BaseClass, so you could do something like:
Dim _DataSource As YourBaseClass

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Browsable(True) , _

Bindable(True), _

Description("Th e DataObject to bind the TextBox to."), _

TypeConverter(" System.Windows. Forms.Design.Da taSourceConvert er, System.Design") , _

RefreshProperti es(RefreshPrope rties.All)> _

Public Overloads Property DataSource() As Object

Get

Return _DataSource

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As Object)

_DataSource = Value

End Set

End Property

Should you use this approach, then you have to fine-tune this property, because it's for Complex-DataBinding and as you know, the TextBox-Class has Simple DataBinding. Doing this you would get a dropdown-list with all possible DataObjects your TextBox can bind to.

Anyway: should you furthermore want to make use of the 'IComponentChan geService' then you would defently need Reflection to Get/Set some values of Components/Controls which you don't know of in Design-Time. Something like:
Private Sub OnComponentRena me(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentRename EventArgs)

If IsNothing(ce) Or IsNothing(ce.Co mponent) Then Exit Sub

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim s As String = ot.GetType.ToSt ring

Dim p As PropertyInfo

' Set a Boolean-Property
p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyDesi redPropertyName ")

p.SetValue(ot, False, Nothing)

' Set a String-Property

p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyOthe rDesiredPropert yName")

p.SetValue(ot, ce.NewName, Nothing)

' Continue other logic

............... ............... ............... ............

............... ............... ............... ............

End Sub

Also keep in mind with the 'IComponentChan geService' that you address the right INSTANCE, because if you have two or more controls of the same type on a form, then it will loop through all those controls (even if this service is called from within a single control)!!

I wish you the best, and let me know if you could manage your goal.

Kind regards,

Michael

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uA******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks very much for digging out the code.

Regards
Simon

[Michael Maes]

Dont forget to sleep J

All the best and "play a lot" with the 'IComponentChan geService'. It's powerfull to use (but a hell to Debug...Since it's IDE)

Michael
"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Thanks Michael,

I think I'll sit down when I have a quiet few hours and play with this... I think I have to get to grip with the concepts that you have outlined.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Regards
Simon
"Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot .com> wrote in message news:%2******** ********@TK2MSF TNGP09.phx.gbl. ..
Hey Simon,

Does this fully answer your questions, because I came to the conclusion I didn't point out how to actually set your binding.

On the other hand, I was thinking if your DataObjects are on the Form or ComponentTray, you could set the Binding in Design-time through the Property-Window. Sure your DataObjects must all inherit from the same BaseClass, so you could do something like:
Dim _DataSource As YourBaseClass

<EditorBrowsabl e(EditorBrowsab leState.Always) , _

Category("Data" ), _

Browsable(True) , _

Bindable(True), _

Description("Th e DataObject to bind the TextBox to."), _

TypeConverter(" System.Windows. Forms.Design.Da taSourceConvert er, System.Design") , _

RefreshProperti es(RefreshPrope rties.All)> _

Public Overloads Property DataSource() As Object

Get

Return _DataSource

End Get

Set(ByVal Value As Object)

_DataSource = Value

End Set

End Property

Should you use this approach, then you have to fine-tune this property, because it's for Complex-DataBinding and as you know, the TextBox-Class has Simple DataBinding. Doing this you would get a dropdown-list with all possible DataObjects your TextBox can bind to.

Anyway: should you furthermore want to make use of the 'IComponentChan geService' then you would defently need Reflection to Get/Set some values of Components/Controls which you don't know of in Design-Time. Something like:
Private Sub OnComponentRena me(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As ComponentRename EventArgs)

If IsNothing(ce) Or IsNothing(ce.Co mponent) Then Exit Sub

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim s As String = ot.GetType.ToSt ring

Dim p As PropertyInfo

' Set a Boolean-Property
p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyDesi redPropertyName ")

p.SetValue(ot, False, Nothing)

' Set a String-Property

p = ot.GetType.GetP roperty("MyOthe rDesiredPropert yName")

p.SetValue(ot, ce.NewName, Nothing)

' Continue other logic

............... ............... ............... ............

............... ............... ............... ............

End Sub

Also keep in mind with the 'IComponentChan geService' that you address the right INSTANCE, because if you have two or more controls of the same type on a form, then it will loop through all those controls (even if this service is called from within a single control)!!

I wish you the best, and let me know if you could manage your goal.

Kind regards,

Michael

"Simon Verona" <ne**@aphrodite uk.com> wrote in message news:uA******** ******@tk2msftn gp13.phx.gbl...
Michael,

Thanks very much for digging out the code.

Regards
Simon