I try to set default value to an image Public Property of a UserControl. I tried to do that with a variable but I get an error Cannot refer to an instance member of a class from within a shared method or shared member initializer without an explicit instance of the class.
Private Image_ As Image = My.Resources.MyImage
<Category("Appearance")> <DisplayName("Image")> <DefaultValue(Image_)> <Description("...")>
Public Property Image As Image
Get
Return NestedControl.Image
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Image)
NestedControl.Image = value
End Set
End Property
I also tried to set default value like this <DefaultValue(GetType(Image), "My.Resources.MyImage")> but when I do reset to UserControl's property it turns to "None"!!!
Any idea?
While the System.ComponentModel.DefaultValueAttribute does not support this, you can use the old-style ResetPropertyName and ShouldSerializePropertyName methods to achieve the same function.
This is documented in Defining Default Values with the ShouldSerialize and Reset Methods.
Imports System.ComponentModel
Public Class MyUserControl
Private Image_ As Image = My.Resources.MyImage
Public Sub New()
InitializeComponent()
ResetImage() ' set default
End Sub
<Category("Appearance")> <DisplayName("Image")> <Description("...")>
Public Property Image As Image
Get
Return NestedControl.Image
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Image)
NestedControl.Image = value
End Set
End Property
Public Sub ResetImage()
If Image IsNot Nothing Then Image.Dispose()
Image = Image_
End Sub
Public Function ShouldSerializeImage() As Boolean
Return (Image IsNot Image_)
End Function
End Class
Related
Using a Class I am trying to hide the DoubleBuffered property from form's property window but without make it nonfunctional. So I did something like this in code example below... Ηowever, DoubleBuffered property still appears. So, can we really hide DoubleBuffered property and if yes, how can we do that?
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.ComponentModel.Design
Public Class MyForm
Inherits Form
<Browsable(False)>
Public Overloads Property DoubleBuffered As Boolean
Get
Return MyBase.DoubleBuffered
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
MyBase.DoubleBuffered = value
End Set
End Property
Public Sub New()
Me.DoubleBuffered = True
End Sub
End Class
You could create a custom component designer for your Form, but that is a daunting task to just recreate the functionality of the inaccessible System.Windows.Forms.Design.FormDocumentDesigner. The simpler way is use the Form's Site property as I have shown you before to access the designer services.
In this case, you need to override the ITypeDescriptorFilterService service of the designer host. This service is used by the designer for all type discovery/filtering operations and is not limited to a specific component.
The first step is to create a class that implements ITypeDescriptorFilterService. The following is one such implementation. It is a generic implementation that allows it to filter components of the specified type and takes list of property names that you want to exclude from the PropertyGrid display. The final item it requires is a reference to the existing service used by the designer host.
Friend Class FilterService(Of T) : Implements ITypeDescriptorFilterService
Private namesOfPropertiesToRemove As String()
Public Sub New(baseService As ITypeDescriptorFilterService, ParamArray NamesOfPropertiesToRemove As String())
Me.BaseService = baseService
Me.namesOfPropertiesToRemove = NamesOfPropertiesToRemove
End Sub
Public ReadOnly Property BaseService As ITypeDescriptorFilterService
Public Function FilterAttributes(component As IComponent, attributes As IDictionary) As Boolean Implements ITypeDescriptorFilterService.FilterAttributes
Return BaseService.FilterAttributes(component, attributes)
End Function
Public Function FilterEvents(component As IComponent, events As IDictionary) As Boolean Implements ITypeDescriptorFilterService.FilterEvents
Return BaseService.FilterEvents(component, events)
End Function
Public Function FilterProperties(component As IComponent, properties As IDictionary) As Boolean Implements ITypeDescriptorFilterService.FilterProperties
' ref: ITypeDescriptorFilterService Interface: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.componentmodel.design.itypedescriptorfilterservice(v=vs.110).aspx
'
' The return value of FilterProperties determines if this set of properties is fixed.
' If this method returns true, the TypeDescriptor for this component can cache the
' results. This cache is maintained until either the component is garbage collected or the Refresh method of the type descriptor is called.
' allow other filters 1st chance to modify the properties collection
Dim ret As Boolean = BaseService.FilterProperties(component, properties)
' only remove properties if component is of type T
If TypeOf component Is T AndAlso Not (properties.IsFixedSize Or properties.IsReadOnly) Then
For Each propName As String In namesOfPropertiesToRemove
' If the IDictionary object does not contain an element with the specified key,
' the IDictionary remains unchanged. No exception is thrown.
properties.Remove(propName)
Next
End If
Return ret
End Function
End Class
Example Usage in Form:
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.ComponentModel.Design
Public Class TestForm : Inherits Form
Private host As IDesignerHost
Private altTypeDescriptorProvider As FilterService(Of TestForm)
' spelling and character casing of removedPropertyNames is critical
' it is a case-sensative lookup
Private Shared removedPropertyNames As String() = {"DoubleBuffered"}
Public Overrides Property Site As ISite
Get
Return MyBase.Site
End Get
Set(value As ISite)
If host IsNot Nothing Then
UnwireDesignerCode()
End If
MyBase.Site = value
If value IsNot Nothing Then
host = CType(Site.GetService(GetType(IDesignerHost)), IDesignerHost)
If host IsNot Nothing Then
If host.Loading Then
AddHandler host.LoadComplete, AddressOf HostLoaded
Else
WireUpDesignerCode()
End If
End If
End If
End Set
End Property
Private Sub HostLoaded(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)
RemoveHandler host.LoadComplete, AddressOf HostLoaded
WireUpDesignerCode()
End Sub
Private Sub WireUpDesignerCode()
AddFilter()
End Sub
Private Sub UnwireDesignerCode()
If host IsNot Nothing Then
RemoveFilter()
End If
host = Nothing
End Sub
Private Sub AddFilter()
Dim baseFilter As ITypeDescriptorFilterService = CType(host.GetService(GetType(ITypeDescriptorFilterService)), ITypeDescriptorFilterService)
If baseFilter IsNot Nothing Then
' remove existing filter service
host.RemoveService(GetType(ITypeDescriptorFilterService))
' create our replacement service and add it to the host's services
altTypeDescriptorProvider = New FilterService(Of TestForm)(baseFilter, removedPropertyNames)
host.AddService(GetType(ITypeDescriptorFilterService), altTypeDescriptorProvider)
TypeDescriptor.Refresh(Me.GetType) ' force a type description rescan
End If
End Sub
Private Sub RemoveFilter()
If altTypeDescriptorProvider IsNot Nothing Then
host.RemoveService(GetType(ITypeDescriptorFilterService))
host.AddService(GetType(ITypeDescriptorFilterService), altTypeDescriptorProvider.BaseService)
altTypeDescriptorProvider = Nothing
End If
End Sub
End Class
Now when you create a form that inherits from TestForm, the DoubleBuffered property will be excluded from the PropertyGrid display.
I was trying to make a nested property redrawing the base (a control) of his parent property.
Here is what I know:
If we use the Refresh() command supposedly it should work for what I want. Just like below.
Private Var_MyProperties_Parent As Integer
Public Property MyProperties_Parent As Integer
Get
Return Var_MyProperties_Parent
End Get
Set(value As Class_Child)
Var_MyProperties_Parent = value
Refresh()
End Set
End Property
But If I try to use it on nested properties it doesn't work, just like below.
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Globalization
Public Class Class_ParentProperty_1 : Inherits Control
Private Var_MyProperties_Parent As New Class_Child
<Browsable(True)>
<Description("Descrição não é necessária."), Category("Appearance")> ' Categoria da propriedade
<EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Always)>
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Public Property MyProperties_Parent As Class_Child
Get
Return Var_MyProperties_Parent
End Get
Set(value As Class_Child)
Var_MyProperties_Parent = value
Refresh()
End Set
End Property
Protected Overrides Sub OnPaint(e As PaintEventArgs)
MyBase.OnPaint(e)
MyBase.BackColor = MyProperties_Parent.TheMyColor
MyBase.BackgroundImage = MyProperties_Parent.SimpleImage
End Sub
End Class
<TypeConverter(GetType(Class_Child))>
Public Class Class_Child : Inherits ExpandableObjectConverter
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Private Var_TheMyColor As Color = Color.Crimson
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Private Var_SimpleImage As Image
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Private Var_ANumber As Integer
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Public Property TheMyColor As Color
Get
Return Var_TheMyColor
End Get
Set(value As Color)
Var_TheMyColor = value
End Set
End Property
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Public Property SimpleImage As Image
Get
Return Var_SimpleImage
End Get
Set(value As Image)
Var_SimpleImage = value
End Set
End Property
<RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)>
Public Property ANumber As Integer
Get
Return Var_ANumber
End Get
Set(value As Integer)
Var_ANumber = value
End Set
End Property
Public Overrides Function ToString() As String
Return Nothing
End Function
End Class
If someone have alternatives to me or someone can explain how can I think in other way to do it or something, I would be grateful.
I have a problem with ShouldSerialize function.
I defined an usercontrol with a label (named Label1) on it.
Now i put the code below in the usercontrol class :
Imports System.ComponentModel
Public Class UserControl1
Dim _Range As UShort = 100
Private Sub UserControl1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Label1.Text = _Range
End Sub
Public Function ShouldSerializeTBValueRange() As Boolean
Return _Range <> 200
End Function
Public Sub ResetTBValueRange()
_Range = 200
Label1.Text = _Range
End Sub
Public Property TBValueRange As UShort
Get
Return _Range
End Get
Set(ByVal Steps As UShort)
_Range = Steps
Label1.Text = _Range
End Set
End Property
End Class
Now in a new form include the usercontrol.
In the properties grid of the usercontrol u can find the property TBValueRange.
If you right click in the property name you can Reinit the property.
After reinit u can see value 200 in the property.
Now, regenerate the project will reset the property to the initial value (id 100).
Why the value 200 didn't stay?
If i replace the line Return _Range <> 200 in the function ShouldSerializeTBValueRange() by
Return Not _Range.Equals(200)
it will work.
i don't understand.
Anyone could explain this?
The methods are working as coded. The thing which seems to not work as expected is the Not _Range.Equals(200) portion.
You initialize _Range to 100: Dim _Range As UShort = 100
Then, your ShouldSerializeTBValueRange method tells VS to only save the range value when it is not 200: Return _Range <> 200
So, when you reset it to 200 in the IDE, it wont save a value of 200, and the initial value of 100 displays.
The code uses one value for the default, 100 but use a different value for ShouldSerialize test. You should either change it to use a default of 200:
Dim _Range As UShort = 200
Or change the ShouldSerialize test to use 100:
Public Function ShouldSerializeTBValueRange() As Boolean
Return _Range <> 100
End Function
Treating the default value as the default, and using only one value for the default everything works as expected using just ShouldSerializexxx and Resetxxx with no need for anything else.
' THIS is the default value -
' ie the value that need not be saved because the
' control automatically starts with that value
Dim _Range As UShort = 200US
' Controls:
' - displays the prop value in Bold in the property window
' when the value is NOT the default
' - saves the value when it is NOT the default
' - enables/disables the RESET function
Public Function ShouldSerializeTBValueRange() As Boolean
Return (_Range <> 200US)
End Function
Using one value for the actual default (100) and then returning T/F based on a different value (200) results in
100 being saved when it need not be
200 not being saved when it should be
the Reset menu item and Bold value being in the incorrect state
The oddity is that Not _Range.Equals(200) seems to fail. It returns False after a reset (to 200) which causes the value to be saved when it really should not. There are 2 overloads for this:
UInt16.Equals(obj As Object) As Boolean
UInt16.Equals(v As UShort) As Boolean
If you pass anything other than an actual UInt16/UShort, the value will be boxed as Object. So, Not _Range.Equals(200) is using the first because 200 is Int32. The ILCode for that version is:
public override bool Equals(object obj)
{
return obj is ushort && this == (ushort)obj;
}
The test will fail the first test because obj contains an Int32. If you pass a UShort, it will work:
UShort.Equals(_Range, 200US)
'or:
_Range.Equals(200US)
All good reasons to understand the different data types, avoid boxing (As Object) and always and forever set Option Strict On.
Thanks you all to have spent time on my question.
I found my answer : when ShouldSerialize function return false the property value isn't save in the file Form1.designer.vb, so it gets the original value.
For my needed the ShouldSerialize function should always return true.
Public Function ShouldSerializeTBValueRange() As Boolean
Return true
End Function
So the property value will always be saved.
Now, what i'm looking for is how to control the context menu of the property grid.
I want the option "Reinit" greyed when the value is good.
Finally, i found something, with the use of PropertyDescriptor.
For whose are interested, we can save properties in the designer.vb file and test the value to reset.
here is my program, based on the article from MSDN - Microsft:
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Windows.Forms.Design
<Designer(GetType(DemoControlDesigner))>
Public Class UserControl1
Dim _MyProperty1 As String = "Test1"
Dim _MyProperty2 As Integer = 100
Dim _MyProperty3 As UShort = 200
Public Sub New()
InitializeComponent()
End Sub
Public Function CanResetMyProperty1() As Boolean
Return _MyProperty1 <> "Test"
End Function
Public Sub ResetMyProperty1()
_MyProperty1 = "Test"
End Sub
Public Property MyProperty1 As String
Get
Return _MyProperty1
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As String)
_MyProperty1 = Value
End Set
End Property
Public Function CanResetMyProperty2() As Boolean
Return _MyProperty2 <> 150
End Function
Public Sub ResetMyProperty2()
_MyProperty2 = 150
End Sub
Public Property MyProperty2 As Integer
Get
Return _MyProperty2
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As Integer)
_MyProperty2 = Value
End Set
End Property
Public Function CanResetMyProperty3() As Boolean
Return _MyProperty3 <> _MyProperty2
End Function
Public Sub ResetMyProperty3()
_MyProperty3 = _MyProperty2
End Sub
Public Property MyProperty3 As UShort
Get
Return _MyProperty3
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As UShort)
_MyProperty3 = Value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Friend NotInheritable Class SerializePropertyDescriptor
Inherits PropertyDescriptor
Private _pd As PropertyDescriptor = Nothing
Public Sub New(ByVal pd As PropertyDescriptor)
MyBase.New(pd)
_pd = pd
End Sub
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Attributes() As AttributeCollection
Get
Return Me._pd.Attributes
End Get
End Property
Protected Overrides Sub FillAttributes(ByVal attributeList As IList)
MyBase.FillAttributes(attributeList)
End Sub
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property ComponentType() As Type
Get
Return Me._pd.ComponentType
End Get
End Property
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property Converter() As TypeConverter
Get
Return Me._pd.Converter
End Get
End Property
Public Overrides Function GetEditor(ByVal editorBaseType As Type) As Object
Return Me._pd.GetEditor(editorBaseType)
End Function
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property IsReadOnly() As Boolean
Get
Return Me._pd.IsReadOnly
End Get
End Property
Public Overrides ReadOnly Property PropertyType() As Type
Get
Return Me._pd.PropertyType
End Get
End Property
Public Overrides Function CanResetValue(ByVal component As Object) As Boolean
Try
Return CallByName(component, "CanReset" & _pd.Name, CallType.Get, Nothing)
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.Message)
End Try
Return False
End Function
Public Overrides Function GetValue(ByVal component As Object) As Object
Return Me._pd.GetValue(component)
End Function
Public Overrides Sub ResetValue(ByVal component As Object)
Me._pd.ResetValue(component)
End Sub
Public Overrides Sub SetValue(ByVal component As Object, ByVal val As Object)
Me._pd.SetValue(component, val)
End Sub
Public Overrides Function ShouldSerializeValue(ByVal component As Object) As Boolean
Return True
End Function
End Class
Class DemoControlDesigner
Inherits ControlDesigner
Dim PropertiesToSerialize As String() = {"MyProperty1", "MyProperty2", "MyProperty3"}
Protected Overrides Sub PostFilterProperties(ByVal properties As IDictionary)
Dim original As PropertyDescriptor
For Each PropName As String In PropertiesToSerialize
If properties.Contains(PropName) Then
original = properties(PropName)
properties(PropName) = New SerializePropertyDescriptor(original)
End If
Next
MyBase.PostFilterProperties(properties)
End Sub
End Class
For each property that should be serialized and tested for reset, we should write a sub "CanResetPropertyName" which test the value to reset (see sample).
And the values stay now, even if we regenerate the project.
It's working fine for me, maybe it can be improved.
Regards.
I am trying to implement a way of persisting a collection in a custom settings class. I have successfully created the settings class (inheriting ApplicationSettingsBase) and can save properties using the built-in editors on a PropertyGrid, but my custom implementation of a property grid for collections doesn't persist any of the values I add. Here's my code:
Imports System.Configuration
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Drawing.Design
Imports System.ComponentModel.Design
Public Class CustomSettings
Inherits ApplicationSettingsBase
<UserScopedSetting()> _
<DefaultSettingValue("White")> _
Public Property BackgroundColor() As Color
Get
BackgroundColor = Me("BackgroundColor")
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Color)
Me("BackgroundColor") = value
End Set
End Property
<UserScopedSetting()> _
<DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Content)> _
<Editor(GetType(CustomStringCollectionEditor), GetType(UITypeEditor))> _
Public Property EmailAddresses() As Collection
Get
EmailAddresses = Me("EmailAddresses")
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Collection)
Me("EmailAddresses") = value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Public Class CustomStringCollectionEditor
Inherits CollectionEditor
Public Sub New()
MyBase.New(GetType(Collection))
End Sub
Protected Overrides Function CreateInstance(ByVal itemType As System.Type) As Object
Return String.Empty
End Function
Protected Overrides Function CreateCollectionItemType() As System.Type
Return GetType(String)
End Function
End Class
I set a breakpoint on the Set methods for both the BackgroundColor property and the EmailAddresses property. The BackgroundColor property works as it should - it breaks on the Set statement and stores the property correctly. But when I close the custom CollectionEditor dialog, the EmailAddresses "Set" method is never called. How can I get my custom editor to actually save the property once it's done being edited?
I think I fixed it (with help from this question). I added an override to the EditValue function in my custom editor. Here is the code:
Public Overrides Function EditValue(ByVal context As System.ComponentModel.ITypeDescriptorContext, ByVal provider As System.IServiceProvider, ByVal value As Object) As Object
Dim result As Object = MyBase.EditValue(context, provider, value)
DirectCast(context.Instance, CustomSettings).EmailAddresses = DirectCast(result, List(Of String))
Return result
End Function
I also moved from a collection to a list - I read somewhere that was a safer way to go. I also added a constructor to my CustomSettings class that set the EmailAddresses property to a new List(Of String) if it was unset to begin with. I found that the first time it ran, I could edit the list and add items, but they wouldn't be persisted:
Public Sub New()
If Me("EmailAddresses") Is Nothing Then
Me("EmailAddresses") = New List(Of String)
End If
End Sub
And now it's all working like it should. But if this isn't the best way or there's an easier way to do it, please chime in.
This is similar to my last post but with a different purpose.
I have built a custom control, but when I set the properties for it... ALL instances of that control on my page grab the exact same property. I need to be able to set the property to "abc" for one instance of the control on my page, and then set the exact same proprty to "xyz" for a different instance of the control on the same page.
Can anyone shed any light?
Namespace CustomControl
Public Class mycontrol : Inherits Literal
Protected Overrides Sub CreateChildControls()
Dim value As String = "test"
If _doubleit = True Then
value = value & " test"
End If
MyBase.Text = value
MyBase.CreateChildControls()
End Sub
Private Shared _doubleit As Boolean = True
Public Shared Property doubleit() As Boolean
Get
Return _doubleit
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
_doubleit = value
End Set
End Property
End Class
End Namespace
Remove the Shared from your variable and from your property declaration. Shared means exactly that what you don't want: All instances share the same value.
So, your code should look like this:
Private _doubleit As Boolean = True
Public Property doubleit() As Boolean
Get
Return _doubleit
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
_doubleit = value
End Set
End Property