Use UserControls to substitute the job DataList Server Control does in WebForms

• Download HotelMgmt.zip - 134.7 KB

Introduction 

Using collection of UserControls in WinForm to get the look of DataList; since WinForm does not have a control that functions like DataList server control of WebForm.

Background

Although, Visual Basic PowerPack's DataRepeater does the task in WinForms what Repeater does in WebForms, but there is no substitue of DataList server control in WinForms. To deal with that problem we can add multiple usercontrols to a panel control in a WinForm and arrange those usercontrols' location properties to give overall look of DataList with Rows and Columns. We can manipulate the number Columns. We can add scroll bar to the panel container to scroll. Last, but not least we can even make the location of those usercontrols dynamic so that if the WinForm got resized the number of columns adapts itself to increase and decrease. 

In the pictures below the Form1 contains a Panel that holds multiple usercontrols that are generated depending upon the data entry. Here each usercontrol represents a HotelRoom providing information regarding the RoomNumber, Block, RoomType and BedType. The button color represents the room status: available (Green), Occupied (Red), Dirty (Brown), UnderMaintinance (Purple). So, each cell-like usercontrol represents a Hotel Room object.  The alternative background-color property of the usercontrol helps to distinguish one from other just like the alternate item template of repeater control.

Using the code: Follow the given 10 steps

1. Database .mdf file is provided. Attach that to SQL Server.
2. Create a Project.
3. Add Image resources named (Green, Red, Brown, Purple).
4. Add>NewItem>UserContol. Name it "RoomInfo.cs".
5. Paste this in the RoomInfo.Designer.cs.
C#

//namespace HotelMgmt
{
    partial class RoomInfo
    {
        // <summary> 
        // Required designer variable.
        // </summary>
        private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;
 
        // <summary> 
        // Clean up any resources being used.
        // </summary>
        // <param name="disposing">true if managed
        // resources should be disposed; otherwise, false.</param>
        protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
        {
            if (disposing && (components != null))
            {
                components.Dispose();
            }
            base.Dispose(disposing);
        }
 
        #region Component Designer generated code
 
        /// <summary> 
        /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify 
        /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
        /// </summary>
        private void InitializeComponent()
        {
            this.label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
            this.label2 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
            this.label3 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
            this.label4 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
            this.label5 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
            this.pictureBox1 = new System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox();
            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.pictureBox1)).BeginInit();
            this.SuspendLayout();
            // 
            // label1
            // 
            this.label1.AutoSize = true;
            this.label1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Microsoft Sans Serif", 
                 12F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, 
                 ((byte)(0)));
            this.label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(40, 4);
            this.label1.Name = "label1";
            this.label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(56, 20);
            this.label1.TabIndex = 1;
            this.label1.Text = "Room";
            // 
            // label2
            // 
            this.label2.AutoSize = true;
            this.label2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 37);
            this.label2.Name = "label2";
            this.label2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(34, 13);
            this.label2.TabIndex = 2;
            this.label2.Text = "Block";
            // 
            // label3
            // 
            this.label3.AutoSize = true;
            this.label3.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 50);
            this.label3.Name = "label3";
            this.label3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(26, 13);
            this.label3.TabIndex = 3;
            this.label3.Text = "Bed";
            // 
            // label4
            // 
            this.label4.AutoSize = true;
            this.label4.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(1, 63);
            this.label4.Name = "label4";
            this.label4.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(31, 13);
            this.label4.TabIndex = 4;
            this.label4.Text = "Type";
            // 
            // label5
            // 
            this.label5.AutoSize = true;
            this.label5.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 76);
            this.label5.Name = "label5";
            this.label5.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(37, 13);
            this.label5.TabIndex = 5;
            this.label5.Text = "Status";
            this.label5.Visible = false;
            // 
            // pictureBox1
            // 
            this.pictureBox1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(3, 4);
            this.pictureBox1.Name = "pictureBox1";
            this.pictureBox1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(30, 30);
            this.pictureBox1.SizeMode = System.Windows.Forms.PictureBoxSizeMode.StretchImage;
            this.pictureBox1.TabIndex = 6;
            this.pictureBox1.TabStop = false;
            this.pictureBox1.Click += new System.EventHandler(this.pictureBox1_Click);
            // 
            // RoomInfo
            // 
            this.AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(6F, 13F);
            this.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
            this.Controls.Add(this.pictureBox1);
            this.Controls.Add(this.label5);
            this.Controls.Add(this.label4);
            this.Controls.Add(this.label3);
            this.Controls.Add(this.label2);
            this.Controls.Add(this.label1);
            this.Name = "RoomInfo";
            this.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(100, 100);
            ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.pictureBox1)).EndInit();
            this.ResumeLayout(false);
            this.PerformLayout();
 
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label1;
        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label2;
        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label3;
        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label4;
        private System.Windows.Forms.Label label5;
        private System.Windows.Forms.PictureBox pictureBox1;
    }
}
// Any source code blocks look like this
//

6. Paste this in the RoomInfo.cs (ViewCode).
C#

//using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Data;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
 
namespace HotelMgmt
{
    public partial class RoomInfo : UserControl
    {
        public RoomInfo()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }
 
        public event EventHandler onLabelClickVayo = null;
        public string RoomNo
        {
            get { return this.label1.Text; }
            set { this.label1.Text = value; }
        }
 
        public string Block
        {
            get { return this.label2.Text; }
            set { this.label2.Text = value; }
        }
        public string RoomType
        {
            get { return this.label4.Text; }
            set { this.label4.Text = value; }
        }
        public string Status
        {
            get { return this.label5.Text;}
            set { this.label5.Text= value; }
        }
        public string Bed
        {
            get {return this.label3.Text; }
            set { this.label3.Text= value; }
        }
 
        public Color ControlColor
        {
            get { return this.BackColor; }
            set { this.BackColor = value; }
        }
 
        public Image Picture
        {
            get{return this.pictureBox1.Image;}
            set{this.pictureBox1.Image = value;}
        }
 
        private void pictureBox1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (onLabelClickVayo != null)
                onLabelClickVayo(this, e);
        }
    }
}
// Any source code blocks look like this
//

7. So, you got your UseControl named RoomInfo ready.
8. You need a class to represent the Database row object. Create a class named Room.CS and paste this code.....
C#

//using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
 
namespace HotelMgmt
{
    public  class Room
    {
        int _RoomNo;
        string _Block;
        string _RoomType;
        string _Status;
        string _Bed;
 
        public int RoomNo
        {
            get { return _RoomNo; }
            set { _RoomNo = value; }
        }
 
        public string Block
        {
            get { return _Block; }
            set { _Block = value; }
        }
        public string RoomType
        {
            get { return _RoomType; }
            set { _RoomType = value; }
        }
        public string Status
        {
            get { return _Status; }
            set { _Status = value; }
        }
        public string Bed
        {
            get { return _Bed; }
            set { _Bed = value; }
        }
 
    }
}
// Any source code blocks look like this
//

9. Now let's create a new WinForm that holds a Panel inside which we will generate usercontrols according to the database. Add>NewItem..>WinForm. Name it "Form1" and paste this in the Form1.Designer.CS:
   C#

   //namespace HotelMgmt
   {
       partial class Form1
       {
           /// <summary>
           /// Required designer variable.
           /// </summary>
           private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;
    
           /// <summary>
           /// Clean up any resources being used.
           /// </summary>
           /// <param name="disposing">true if managed
           /// resources should be disposed; otherwise, false.</param>
           protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
           {
               if (disposing && (components != null))
               {
                   components.Dispose();
               }
               base.Dispose(disposing);
           }
    
           #region Windows Form Designer generated code
    
           /// <summary>
           /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify
           /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
           /// </summary>
           private void InitializeComponent()
           {
               this.panel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Panel();
               this.SuspendLayout();
               // 
               // panel1
               // 
               this.panel1.AutoScroll = true;
               this.panel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
               this.panel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
               this.panel1.Name = "panel1";
               this.panel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(542, 358);
               this.panel1.TabIndex = 0;
               // 
               // Form1
               // 
               this.AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(6F, 13F);
               this.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
               this.ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(542, 358);
               this.Controls.Add(this.panel1);
               this.Name = "Form1";
               this.Text = "Form1";
               this.ResizeEnd += new System.EventHandler(this.Form1_ResizeEnd);
               this.ResumeLayout(false);
    
           }
    
           #endregion
    
           private System.Windows.Forms.Panel panel1;
       }
   }
   // Any source code blocks look like this
   //

10. Past the below code to the Form1.cs file (ViewCode):
C#

//using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Configuration;
 
namespace HotelMgmt
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }
        public List<Room> getData()
        {
            List<Room> LR = new List<Room>();;
            SqlConnection conn;
         
            DataSet ds = new DataSet();
            conn = new SqlConnection();
               
            conn.ConnectionString = 
               ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["WindowsFormsApplication1.
                 Properties.Settings.HotelConnectionString"].ConnectionString;
            conn.Open();
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            cmd.Connection = conn;
            cmd.CommandText = "Select RoomNo,Block,RoomType,Status,Bed From Rooms";
            cmd.CommandType = CommandType.Text;
            SqlDataAdapter adptr = new SqlDataAdapter();
            adptr.SelectCommand = cmd;
            adptr.Fill(ds,"Rooms");
            conn.Close();
            foreach (DataRow row in ds.Tables["Rooms"].Rows)
            {
                Room roomObj = new Room();
                roomObj.RoomNo = Convert.ToInt32( row[0].ToString());
                roomObj.Block = row[1].ToString();
                roomObj.RoomType = row[2].ToString();
                roomObj.Status = row[3].ToString();
                roomObj.Bed = row[4].ToString();
                LR.Add(roomObj);
            
            }
            return LR;
        }
 
        public int width = 100;
        int height = 100;
        int colCount = 5;
 
        public void populate()
        {
            this.panel1.Controls.Clear();
            Form1 f1 = new Form1();
            List<Room> robj = f1.getData();
            RoomInfo roomCtrl = null;
            int x = 0;
            int y = 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < robj.Count; i++)
            {
                roomCtrl = new RoomInfo();
                roomCtrl.RoomNo = robj[i].RoomNo.ToString();
                roomCtrl.Block = robj[i].Block.ToString();
                roomCtrl.RoomType = robj[i].RoomType.ToString();
                roomCtrl.Status = robj[i].Status.ToString();
                roomCtrl.Bed = robj[i].Bed.ToString();
 
                //roomCtrl.MyDatas = new ControlData { ID = i, Name = mydatas[i] };
                //roomCtrl.RoomNo = mydatas[i];
                roomCtrl.onLabelClickVayo += new EventHandler(roomCtrl_onLabelClickVayo);
                if (i % colCount == 0)
                {
                    if (i != 0)
                    {
                        x = 0;
                        y = y + height;
                    }
                }
                else
                {
                    x = x + width;
                }
 
                // tstCtrl.BackColor = i % 2==0 ? tstCtrl.BackColor = Color.Red : Color.Green;
                if (i % 2 == 0)
                {
                    roomCtrl.BackColor = Color.Red;
                }
                if(roomCtrl.Status=="Avilable")
                { roomCtrl.Picture = (Image)global::HotelMgmt.Properties.Resources.Green;}
                if (roomCtrl.Status == "Occupied")
                { roomCtrl.Picture = (Image)global::HotelMgmt.Properties.Resources.Red; }
                if (roomCtrl.Status == "Dirty")
                { roomCtrl.Picture = (Image)global::HotelMgmt.Properties.Resources.Brown; }
                if (roomCtrl.Status == "Broken")
                { roomCtrl.Picture = (Image)global::HotelMgmt.Properties.Resources.Purple; }

                if (i % 2 != 0)
                {
                    roomCtrl.BackColor = Color.Green;
                    //roomCtrl.Picture = (Image)global::HotelMgmt.Properties.Resources.binay_thulo;
                }
 
                roomCtrl.Location = new Point(x, y);
                this.panel1.Controls.Add(roomCtrl);
            }
        }
 
        private void Form1_ResizeEnd(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            int pnlWidth = this.panel1.Width;
            int goodColumnCount = (int)((decimal)pnlWidth / (decimal)width);
            if (goodColumnCount != 0)
            {
                this.colCount = goodColumnCount;
                populate();
            }
        }
 
        void roomCtrl_onLabelClickVayo(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
 
            RoomInfo tstCtrl = (RoomInfo)sender;
            MessageBox.Show("You clicked"+tstCtrl.RoomNo.ToString());
        }
    }
}
// Any source code blocks look like this
//

11. Add>NewItem..>ApplicationConfigurationFile.

Configure your connection string tag in the app.config or in the case of local SQL Server, paste in your app.con file.... 

XML

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
<connectionStrings>
<add name="WindowsFormsApplication1.Properties.Settings.HotelConnectionString"
  connectionString="Data Source=.;Initial Catalog=Hotel;Integrated 
  Security=True" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
</connectionStrings>
</configuration>