Creating Custom Controls

7331 · Apr 28, 2012

I have posted a message similiar to this, but am still not sure how to accomplish what I am trying to accomplish. I want to be able to create my own tag with other ASP tags inside it. For example. I would use my tag as shown below: <mytag:TableTag id="table" title="header title" runat="server"> <asp:dropdownlist id="blah" runat="server"> This is a test. </mytag:TableTag> I want the HTML that is generated to show up as shown below: <table> <tr> <td>Header title</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <select.....> This is a test... </td> </tr> </table> This is an overly simplified example, but that is basically what I am trying to do. I want to create a wrapper around other controls. Does anyone have any example code for something like this? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. ChaitanyaThere are two techniques, depending on the ParseChildrenAttribute. First, make sure your control includes the attribute (shown in C#): [ParseChildren(true or false)] public class TableTag : Table {...} When you use FALSE, the control expects anything between the opening and closing tags to be more ASP.NET controls (which I believe includes static text). When you use TRUE, it expects that you are declaring properties of the control itself, like <BackColor>Red</BackColor>. When true, you can use the Template methodology to allow users to embed controls into a property of your control. This is how DataGrid, Repeater and DataList allow customization. In MSDN, see these topics: .Net FrameworkBuilding ApplicationsCreating ASP.NET Web ApplicationsDeveloping ASP.NET Server controls For ParseChildren, select this subtopic: Control Parsing, ParseChildrenAttribute... For Templates, select this subtopic: Developing a Templated Control --- PeterI have managed to find all of that information, but am unable to determine what functions I should be putting the code in. I need to know the function to use when I start the tag and the function to use when I end the tag, OR I need to know in the Render function what and where to put the information regarding the ASP tags that are inside my tag. In other words, where does this : <table> <tr> <td> Where do the tags in the middle go? <asp:textbox.... /> And where does the end go: </td> </tr> </table> That's what the problem is. I just haven't been able to determine where this code is supposed to go. ChaitanyaYou can use the panel control or create a custom (.ascx) control that you create. You have to create the custom control properly though. Here's a simple example: Save these lines as header.ascx ************************************************** ****** <%@ Control Language="vb" AutoEventWireup="false" Codebehind="header.ascx.vb"%> <asp:Label ID="header" Runat="server" Text="My custom header control" Height="25px" Width="100%" BackColor="#cccccc" ForeColor="#339999" Font-Size="20" font-bold="true" Font-Name="arial" BorderStyle="Outset"></asp:Label> ************************************************** ******* Save this line at the top of your ASPX: <%@ Register Tagprefix="Myheader" TagName="header" src=http://aspmessageboard.com/archive/index.php/"header.ascx" %> Use this in you aspx to display the header: <MyHeader:HEADER id="Header1" runat="server"></MyHeader:HEADER>

Creating Custom Controls

7331

New Member