Setting properties in unknown classes

[Michael Maes]

Hi,

What would be the best way to Set a property of a class which you don't know at design-time which that would be?
The classes haven't got the same base-class, but they're all "extended" with the same properties, methods, ....
In fact it are classes inheriting from Typed DataSets.
I need to set "MyProperty" on tdsExtended1, tdsExtended2, tdsExtended3, .... while itterating the "DataSetCollection"

Of course the best approach would be to have a BaseClass "MyTypedDataSet" and then implement the TypedDataSets Generated by VisualStudio in it, but I don't think that's possible.

I think I have to use something like:
Dim pi As PropertyInfo = t.GetProperty([PropertyName])

If not pi Is Nothing Then

pi.SetValue(Nothing, True, Nothing)

End If
But I can't get it work. (I guess it's the first parameter)

TIA,
Michael

[Chris Podmore]

Michael

I think the problem lies in the SetValue, is the GetProperty working

Try: theClass.GetType.GetProperty(pi.Name).SetValue(the Class, objNewValue, Nothing

Hope it helps
Chris

----- Michael Maes wrote: ----

Hi

What would be the best way to Set a property of a class which you don't know at design-time which that would be
The classes haven't got the same base-class, but they're all "extended" with the same properties, methods, ...
In fact it are classes inheriting from Typed DataSets
I need to set "MyProperty" on tdsExtended1, tdsExtended2, tdsExtended3, .... while itterating the "DataSetCollection

Of course the best approach would be to have a BaseClass "MyTypedDataSet" and then implement the TypedDataSets Generated by VisualStudio in it, but I don't think that's possible

I think I have to use something like
Dim pi As PropertyInfo = t.GetProperty([PropertyName]

If not pi Is Nothing The

pi.SetValue(Nothing, True, Nothing

End I
But I can't get it work. (I guess it's the first parameter

TIA
Michae

[Michael Maes]

Hi Chris,

No, the GetProperty isn't working eigther.
Your tip doesn't work neighter.

the sub is part of an event in the ComponentChangeService-Class

I beleive the issue is getting the class.

here's the code:
Private Sub OnComponentAdded(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal ce As
ComponentEventArgs)

Try

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim t As Type = ot.GetType

Dim pi As PropertyInfo

pi = t.GetProperty("PropertyName")

pi.SetValue(t, False, Nothing)

' Extra code .....

Catch ex As Exception

Finally

MsgBox(res)

End Try

End Sub

"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6B**********************************@microsof t.com...

Michael,

I think the problem lies in the SetValue, is the GetProperty working?

Try: theClass.GetType.GetProperty(pi.Name).SetValue(the Class, objNewValue, Nothing)
Hope it helps.
Chris.

----- Michael Maes wrote: -----

Hi,

What would be the best way to Set a property of a class which you don't know at design-time which that would be? The classes haven't got the same base-class, but they're all "extended" with the same properties, methods, .... In fact it are classes inheriting from Typed DataSets.
I need to set "MyProperty" on tdsExtended1, tdsExtended2, tdsExtended3, .... while itterating the "DataSetCollection"
Of course the best approach would be to have a BaseClass "MyTypedDataSet" and then implement the TypedDataSets Generated by
VisualStudio in it, but I don't think that's possible.
I think I have to use something like:
Dim pi As PropertyInfo = t.GetProperty([PropertyName])

If not pi Is Nothing Then

pi.SetValue(Nothing, True, Nothing)

End If
But I can't get it work. (I guess it's the first parameter)

TIA,
Michael

[Chris Podmore]

Michael

Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are getting the correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with
Let me know how you get on

Chris

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect
Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties(
Dim p As PropertyInf
Dim blnFound As Boolean = Fals
For Each p In p
If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" The
blnFound = Tru
Exit Fo
End I
Nex
If blnFound The
ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing
End I

[Michael Maes]

// I don't know if this might be important: I use this in design-time (it's
a kind of ComponentManager) //

This is what I've done (have to use msgbox because debugger doesn't work in
design-mode)
The class looks fine to me.
Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect?

Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties()

Dim p As PropertyInfo

Dim blnFound As Boolean = False

Dim ppp As String = ""

For Each p In pp

ppp += p.Name.ToString + vbCrLf

If p.Name.ToLower = "text" Then

blnFound = True

Exit For

End If

Next

MsgBox(ppp)

If blnFound Then

MsgBox("Changing property-value")

ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, "TEST", Nothing)

Else

MsgBox("Property-value not found")

End If

Exit Sub

If I add a button (or a textbox, ...) to the form during design-time the
first msgbox show the Properties. The second says "Changing property-value".

But the value remains "Button1, TextBox1, ..."

I've commented out all other events "just in case"....

Michael

"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F0**********************************@microsof t.com...

Michael,

Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are getting the correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with? Let me know how you get on.

Chris.

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect?
Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties()
Dim p As PropertyInfo
Dim blnFound As Boolean = False
For Each p In pp
If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" Then
blnFound = True
Exit For
End If
Next
If blnFound Then
ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing)
End If

[Michael Maes]

OK, I've put the same sub in the OnRename-Event.
When I then rename a control, it does change the property.

So I guess that the ComponentChangeService OnAdded-Event gets fired just
before the Component is accessible.
I could put the code in the renaming-event and "rename" the control when
added. But then it happens also everytime a component gets renamed in the
designer. Maybe I could add a flag in the Add-Event.

Gona do some tests......

"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F0**********************************@microsof t.com...

Michael,

Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are getting the correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with? Let me know how you get on.

Chris.

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect?
Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties()
Dim p As PropertyInfo
Dim blnFound As Boolean = False
For Each p In pp
If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" Then
blnFound = True
Exit For
End If
Next
If blnFound Then
ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing)
End If

[Michael Maes]

You have to stay focussed here:

I did the testing with the "Text-Property" for ease (you see it change
right-away).
Just didn't think about VS setting the Text to the Designer-Name when adding
a control.
Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim p As PropertyInfo

p = ot.GetType.GetProperty("Tag")

p.SetValue(ot, ce.Component.Site.Name + "_Added", Nothing)
I've got it working now a wanted (I guess after these quick tests)
Thanks for your help Chris,

Kind regards,

Michael
"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F0**********************************@microsof t.com...

Michael,

Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are getting the correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with? Let me know how you get on.

Chris.

Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect?
Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties()
Dim p As PropertyInfo
Dim blnFound As Boolean = False
For Each p In pp
If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" Then
blnFound = True
Exit For
End If
Next
If blnFound Then
ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing)
End If

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

* "Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot.com> scripsit:

What would be the best way to Set a property of a class which you don't know at design-time which that would be?

Turn 'Option Strict' off, then simply type 'foo.TheProperty = 22'.
'foo' can be dimmed as 'Object'.

--
Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]
<URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>

[Michael Maes]

Hello Herfried,

That could be an option, but I don't (like to) use it because Coding "Option
Strict Off" is verry prone to Runtime-Errors.
I prefer to work arround these problems, however difficult that may be.

Regards,

Michael
"Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]" <hi***************@gmx.at> wrote in message
news:c6************@ID-208219.news.uni-berlin.de...

* "Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot.com> scripsit:

What would be the best way to Set a property of a class which you don't

know at design-time which that would be?
Turn 'Option Strict' off, then simply type 'foo.TheProperty = 22'.
'foo' can be dimmed as 'Object'.

--
Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]
<URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Michael!

* "Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot.com> scripsit:

That could be an option, but I don't (like to) use it because Coding "Option
Strict Off" is verry prone to Runtime-Errors.
Mhm... I turn it off only when I am sure that there are no runtime
errors and turning it off prevents me from writing a lot of "unreadable"
code.
I prefer to work arround these problems, however difficult that may be.

;-)

--
Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]
<URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>

[Michael Maes]

I didn't think you ever had runtime-errors ;-)

No seriously, ..., you're a far better programmer then I am. I'm also (a
bit) dislestic, so I like to use VS-aids like Option Strict, Intellisense,
... (makes me feel 'more secure')

But you're also right: Coding arround "Option Strict On" is sometimes quite
"Jurasic".

All the best,

Michael

"Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]" <hi***************@gmx.at> wrote in message
news:c6************@ID-208219.news.uni-berlin.de...

Michael!

* "Michael Maes" <mi*****@merlot.com> scripsit:

That could be an option, but I don't (like to) use it because Coding "Option Strict Off" is verry prone to Runtime-Errors.

Mhm... I turn it off only when I am sure that there are no runtime
errors and turning it off prevents me from writing a lot of "unreadable"
code.

I prefer to work arround these problems, however difficult that may be.

;-)

--
Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]
<URL:http://dotnet.mvps.org/>

[Chris Podmore]

Michael

Glad you have something working

Chris

----- Michael Maes wrote: ----

You have to stay focussed here

I did the testing with the "Text-Property" for ease (you see it chang
right-away)
Just didn't think about VS setting the Text to the Designer-Name when addin
a control
Dim ot As Object = ce.Componen

Dim p As PropertyInf

p = ot.GetType.GetProperty("Tag"

p.SetValue(ot, ce.Component.Site.Name + "_Added", Nothing
I've got it working now a wanted (I guess after these quick tests
Thanks for your help Chris

Kind regards

Michae
"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in messag
news:F0**********************************@microsof t.com..

Michael

Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are getting th

correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with Let me know how you get on

Chris
Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you expect

Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties(
Dim p As PropertyInf
Dim blnFound As Boolean = Fals
For Each p In p
If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" The
blnFound = Tru
Exit Fo
End I
Nex
If blnFound The
ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing
End I

[Michael Maes]

Yeah, me too.
Thanks Chris,

Michael

"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A0**********************************@microsof t.com...

Michael,

Glad you have something working.

Chris.

----- Michael Maes wrote: -----

You have to stay focussed here:

I did the testing with the "Text-Property" for ease (you see it change right-away).
Just didn't think about VS setting the Text to the Designer-Name when adding a control.
Dim ot As Object = ce.Component

Dim p As PropertyInfo

p = ot.GetType.GetProperty("Tag")

p.SetValue(ot, ce.Component.Site.Name + "_Added", Nothing)
I've got it working now a wanted (I guess after these quick tests)
Thanks for your help Chris,

Kind regards,

Michael
"Chris Podmore" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:F0**********************************@microsof t.com...

> Michael,

>> Try the following stepping through the code to see if you are

getting the

correct results. Is ot being set correctly to start with?

> Let me know how you get on.

>> Chris.
>> Dim ot As Object = ce.Component '<=== Does ot equal the class you

expect? > Dim pp() As PropertyInfo = ot.GetType.GetProperties()
> Dim p As PropertyInfo
> Dim blnFound As Boolean = False
> For Each p In pp
> If p.Name.ToLower = "PropertyName" Then
> blnFound = True
> Exit For
> End If
> Next
> If blnFound Then
> ot.GetType.GetProperty(p.Name).SetValue(ot, objNewValue, Nothing) > End If

>>