----------------------------------------------------------- New Message on BDOTNET
----------------------------------------------------------- From: sashisme Message 2 in Discussion I have been part of a product development where we did just what you described. It requires lot of thought and planning and I'd suggest you try it out on a sample application before jumping in. Also the architecture requirement must be frozen before you start coding. You will never be able to accomodate something like "OK, this control is unique and it should be in the center" kinda stuff later in the development cycle. I can't put code here and definitely there are no code samples out there on the net but some pointers may help. 1. For each form, keep the control schema in an xml file in the DB. 2. Validation and other stuff like color, size etc should be in the xml. 3. Build controls dynamically using the info from the xml. No shortcuts here, you HAVE to read books, search the internet articles. 4. Cache the xml on the client side after the first load. These layouts will not change often and are prime candidates for caching. 5. Another problem is arranging the controls on the form. I used a TableLayoutPanel and added controls dynamically. I'm sure you can use it too. You must stick to a generic way of displaying controls on all forms. This kind of requirement is very common in "product development" where you configure your application (without recompiling) fields uniquely for each client. (One client wants firstname as a required field, another doesn't). I wish more articles on the net addressed these kinda real world issues rather than describing the classes over and over. ----------------------------------------------------------- To stop getting this e-mail, or change how often it arrives, go to your E-mail Settings. http://groups.msn.com/bdotnet/_emailsettings.msnw Need help? If you've forgotten your password, please go to Passport Member Services. http://groups.msn.com/_passportredir.msnw?ppmprop=help For other questions or feedback, go to our Contact Us page. http://groups.msn.com/contact If you do not want to receive future e-mail from this MSN group, or if you received this message by mistake, please click the "Remove" link below. On the pre-addressed e-mail message that opens, simply click "Send". Your e-mail address will be deleted from this group's mailing list. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
