HOWTO: Define constants for the whole site?

[Don Wash]

Hi There!

I'm trying to define constants so that I can refer those constants from any
page of my ASP.NET website. I know I can use <appSettings> in web.config XML
file but I don't want to parse and read the whole XML document everytime a
page is requested.

In classic ASP, I used Include files and define constants using Const
keyword so that every page that has been included the file can refer the
constants.

Is there any proper and easier way in ASP.NET to accomplish this? (and of
course without using web.config file)

Thanks all in advance!!
Don

 

[Karl]

There are a couple methods available to you.

[a] You can create a class with public constances
Public Class Globals
Public Const NumberOfRecords As Integer = 15
...
...
End Class

And access them via Globals.NumberOfRecords


You can place them in the Application instance in your Global.asax's
Application_Start
Sub Application_Start(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
Application.Add("NumberOfRecords", 15)
...
End Sub

And access them via cint(Application("NumberOfRecords"))

There are more options, but those should do you fine.

Karl

 

[Shiva]

Hi,
An easy way is to have all such values as public members inside a class and
use it from anywhere inside the application.

Eg (C#):
class GlobalConsts
{
public const int MaxLength = 30;
Public const string EmailSubject = "Your Order";
}

You then simply refer the constant values as GlobalConsts.MaxLength,
GlobalConsts.EmailSubject, etc;

Hi There!

I'm trying to define constants so that I can refer those constants from any
page of my ASP.NET website. I know I can use <appSettings> in web.config XML
file but I don't want to parse and read the whole XML document everytime a
page is requested.

In classic ASP, I used Include files and define constants using Const
keyword so that every page that has been included the file can refer the
constants.

Is there any proper and easier way in ASP.NET to accomplish this? (and of
course without using web.config file)

Thanks all in advance!!
Don

 

[William]

If you're using VB as code-behind, just put them in a public code module.

 

[clintonG]

What about naming conventions that historically use upper
case for all constants, i.e. MAXLENGTH, EMAILSUBJECT?

Do you assume all code will always be used in Visual Studio.NET
where Intellisense will identify type when the mouse is hovered
over the variable?

 

[Karl]

I don't get your point.

Anyways, for naming convetions far better to follow something well
documented
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpgenref/h
tml/cpconnetframeworkdesignguidelines.asp) and that has an policing tool
(http://www.gotdotnet.com/team/fxcop/)

which would be against user upper case for constants, and even more against
hungarian notation (which your 2nd paragraph suggests).

Karl

 

[Shiva]

I agree with Karl. Using all caps is not the recommended way. Nor is the
hungarian notation.

What about naming conventions that historically use upper
case for all constants, i.e. MAXLENGTH, EMAILSUBJECT?

Do you assume all code will always be used in Visual Studio.NET
where Intellisense will identify type when the mouse is hovered
over the variable?

 

[Ashish M Bhonkiya]

Hi Don,

I wud create a seprate Project which will have all the constants,enum etc.
where i define the values for them.

Then just reference that newly created project where you need to access the
constants.

HTH