WebPart and WebPartZones Usage

[karthick]

I am using the following layout for my pages.

<asp:content>
<asp:Wizard>
</asp:Wizard>
<HeaderTemplate>
<asp:WebPartZone>
<ZoneTemplate>
<asp:gridview />
</ZoneTemplate>
</asp:WebPartZone>

</HeaderTemplate>

<WizardSteps>
<%-- Method1 -->
<asp:WizardStep>
<asp:WebPartZone>
<ZoneTemplate>
<UC:usercontrol />
</ZoneTemplate>
</asp:WebPartZone>
</asp:WizardStep>

<%-- Method2 -->
<asp:WizardStep>
<asp:WebPartZone>
<ZoneTemplate>
<aspanel>
-- All the controls in the user control go here directly
</aspanel>
</ZoneTemplate>
</asp:WebPartZone>
</asp:WizardStep>
</WizardSteps>
</asp:content>

I have the above design in one of my pages.
I need to get/set values, properties for my controls inside the
webpartzone.

Problem1: accessing the controls inside the webpartzones is pain in the
neck.

problem2: if i try to use a generic findcontrol and pass the
wizard.controlscollection, webpartzone does not have the same behaviour
for HasControls property. so i have to go into the zone.webparts
collection and iterate under each webpart to get to my control.
this will be a killer as far as performance is concerned.

I am trying to make full use of web parts. Is there a easier way to
"find" controls in wizard and in webpartZones? (both method1 and
method2). Can webPartZones be used this way?

any comments and suggestions for this approach are welcome. thanks!

 

[DWS]

karthick,
Override the wizzard find control method.
Public Overrides Function FindControl(ByVal id As String) As
System.Web.UI.Control
If id = "DWSwz" Then
Return zone
Else
Return MyBase.FindControl(id)
End If
End Function

Good Luck
DWS

 

[karthick]

thanks for the reply. i will try that for sure. one thing that nagging
my mind is that using any form of recursion or looping to find a
control is gonna hit performance. just a thought.