MDI Applications using Toolbar control

[Sudhakara.T.P.]

Hi All,
I have an Windows Application in which I have an MDI form and some child
forms. I am assigning the parent window for the child forms using the code
frmTest1.mdiparent=me [ie, the mdimain form]

Now in the main window, I have menus through which I can open the desired
child form and I am using the following code to do so on click of each menu
item.

Dim frmChildForm as Form
If IsNothing(frmChildForm) Then
frmChildForm = New frmTest1
frmChildForm.MdiParent = Me
frmChildForm.Show()
End If

Now again in the child forms (say frmTest1), I have command buttons namely
cmdNew, cmdSave and cmdDelete wherein I have some functionality.

Like this I have other 15 child forms in my applications and based on the
menu selection, appropriate forms will be displayed.

Now in the toolbar that is placed in the mdimain, I have 4 buttons, namely
New, Save, Delete and Find buttons. Now on click of New button on toolbar,
cmdNew button functionality has to triggered for the activeform that is open.

I am using the following code to do so in the toolbar_ButtonClick event
Select Case eventArgs.button.Index
Case 1 'New Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmChildForm).cmdNew.PerformClick()
Case 2 'Save Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmTest1).cmdSave.PerformClick()
Case 3 'Delete Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmTest1).cmdDelete.PerformClick()
Case 4 'Find Button
MsgBox(Toolbar1.Buttons(4).Key)
End Select

Now if you can observe, for case statement 1, frmChildForm is giving me
compile time error as Type 'frmChildForm' is not defined. But the code in
case 2 is executing correctly. But the code in Case 2 is not generic.

Can anyone help me solve this issue. If you have any sample code or
materials that explains the solution for these type of issues, please let me
know.

Thanks & Regards
Sudhakara.T.P.
(su*********@hotmail.com)

[tomb]

Sudhakara.T.P. wrote:

Hi All,
Dim frmChildForm as Form
If IsNothing(frmChildForm) Then
frmChildForm = New frmTest1
frmChildForm.MdiParent = Me
frmChildForm.Show()
End If

Select Case eventArgs.button.Index
Case 1 'New Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmChildForm).cmdNew.PerformClick()
Case 2 'Save Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmTest1).cmdSave.PerformClick()
Case 3 'Delete Button
CType(MDIMain.ActiveForm, frmTest1).cmdDelete.PerformClick()
Case 4 'Find Button
MsgBox(Toolbar1.Buttons(4).Key)
End Select

Now if you can observe, for case statement 1, frmChildForm is giving me
compile time error as Type 'frmChildForm' is not defined. But the code in
case 2 is executing correctly. But the code in Case 2 is not generic.

Can anyone help me solve this issue. If you have any sample code or
materials that explains the solution for these type of issues, please let me
know.

I would recommend defining a base form class that has the functions that
are applicable to all the derived forms. Then, derive those forms with
the specific frmTest1, frmTest2, and so forth. Then, when the toolbar
button is pressed, you need only test for the base form type that all
the other forms are derived from. Hope that helps.

Tom
Thanks & Regards
Sudhakara.T.P.
(su*********@hotmail.com)