StrataFrame Forum » StrataFrame Application Framework - V1 » WinForms (How do I?) » How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

Raymond Lo — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:49:27 GMT

Dear Sir/Madam,

I’m a fresh dotnet guy ,I have a free DockingPanel tools want to using in my application,but this tools Inherits the basic windows.form will have conflict with MicroFour.StrataFrame.UI.Windows.Forms.StandardForm

Can you give me some hints or coding for me how to implement it?

Please refer to the attached project.:)

RE: How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

Trent L. Taylor — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:49:27 GMT

[quote]Can you provide a sample project using Infragistics for my reference?[/quote]

Actually Infragistics has one as part of their samples. So once you download their trial or purchase their produt, you should have access to the sample as well.

RE: How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

Raymond Lo — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:20:47 GMT

Thanks Taylor and Aaron,

Since our company have the Infragistics, I maybe accept change it to using Infragistics.

Aaron, thanks your advised.

Can you provide a sample project using Infragistics for my reference?

Thank you.

RE: How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

Aaron Young — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:36:50 GMT

Hi Raymond,

I use the Infragistics controls and their docking panel works without any problems. To be honest, I would avoid any control that inherits from a form - not really sure that is a good idea. Infragistics is expensive but I am sure there will be other free docking panel controls that do not inherit from a form.

Aaron

RE: How to implement the maintenance form can using the Docking tools?

Trent L. Taylor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:38:38 GMT

Well, there are a few options. The first would be to look at some docking panels such as Infragistics or DevExpress that do not maintain the logic in the form. By NOT placing the docking logic in the base form, you can add logic into user controls, etc. and ultimately have a lot more flexibility...however, I understand that it is not free.

So if you are going to move down this path, you will need to create your own base form. Since you have the source code, just find the BaseForm in the MicroFour StrataFrame Business assembly. You will need to create your own base form (this is all that StandardForm does, it inherits from BaseForm). Copy over BaseForm and then change the inheritance to your class. I don't recommend changing BaseForm itself otherwise you will have to change it with every release, which is fine if you want to add that to your "to-do" list. But once you have it copied over to your base assembly, change the inheritance of the BaseForm from the standard .NET form to your docking form and it will get you what you are trying to do.