Controls
This article will give you a brief introduction to the new Web3 framework, which will hopefully help you on your way to creating your first Web3 project.
Before you can start developing web applications using the AppFrameR3 framework you will need to prepare your computer. The following downloads that you have to install before starting is:
- Visual Basic 2008 Express edition (http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/)
- DevExpress Control package (http://www.devexpress.com/Downloads/NET/)
- Telerik Control package (http://www.telerik.com/account/free-trials.aspx)
Templates
When creating a new web3 project from CR3, you are given the option to use one of three templates.
- DataFormWithNavGridAtTopTemplate
- Consist of a NavGrid on top and detail tab pane on the bottom.
- DataFormTemplate
- Consists merely of a NavGrid.
- DataSheetWithBottomViewTemplate
- An editable NavGrid with a detail view on the bottom.
All templates have edit form editing and an afSearchPanel.
AppFrame Controls
afDataSource
afDataSource is the foundation of the web3 framework. If you have worked with CR3 prior, you will recognize the design time editor. Using the editor you can design your select query as well as setting up eventual master-child relationships. A property worth noting is LoadRelatedDataOnly. This property must be set to false when the NavGrid has editform editing. Default value is true.
afAjaxPanel
Built on top of the RadAjaxPanel, the afAjaxPanel is designed to make your life easier by handling master-child updating, data manipulation and more for you. To use this functionality you must first set the DataSourceID property, and then you are ready to go.
Integrated in the control is also an afBindingSource. This control lets you connect web controls inside the panel to select columns in the data source. To add the control, just click “Add extender to page” on the afAjaxPanel's SmartTag. Now a new “fields” property has been added to the SmartTag where you can data bind your controls.
Other AppFrame Controls
The new R3 Web Control Package also includes various other controls. AfMenu takes care of the basic data handling such as editing, deleting and inserting. The afSearchPanel can be used to filter your data source and setting max records at runtime. To use it on your form you must first set the DataSourceID property.
afTabStrip extends the RadTabStrip control to enable loading of the visible tab only. afCombobox extends RadCombobox to simplify making lookups with multiple columns. We have also made an afCombobox Grid column that incorporates this. This grid column also supports, unlike the standard grid columns, using different data fields for text and value. This can be done by simply setting the DBField property, which will then be used by the grid to extract values from the database. The NavGrid is designed to co-operate afDataSource and afAjaxPanel. The NavGrid automatically refreshes the relevant afAjaxPanels and updates its data.
All controls are based on telerik controls, so please visit telerik.com for general purpose tips and tricks.
