CompositeControl fails to display in Design view

M

MC

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions, Clicks
FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase, SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender, AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have to
worry about designtime?
 
P

Philvb

Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the rendering of the
control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of Visual
Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab then
set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the box next to it
to the location of devenv.exe from the correct folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE in the
Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

MC said:
I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions, Clicks
FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase, SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender, AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have to
worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
 
M

MC

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the browser,
It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the rendering of the
control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of Visual
Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab then
set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the box next to it
to the location of devenv.exe from the correct folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE in the
Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

MC said:
I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions, Clicks
FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase, SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender, AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have to
worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
P

Philvb

Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug the
designer.
Phil

MC said:
I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the browser,
It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the rendering of the
control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of Visual
Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab then
set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the box next to it
to the location of devenv.exe from the correct folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE in the
Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

MC said:
I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions, Clicks
FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase, SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender, AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have to
worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
M

MC

apologies, should have read your description in more detail
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug the
designer.
Phil

MC said:
I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the browser,
It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the rendering of the
control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of Visual
Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab then
set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the box next to it
to the location of devenv.exe from the correct folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE in the
Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions, Clicks
FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase, SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender, AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have to
worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
M

MC

I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?
apologies, should have read your description in more detail
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

MC said:
I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;

sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
P

Philvb

Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to it not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
MC said:
I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?
apologies, should have read your description in more detail
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;

sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
P

Philvb

Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to it not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
MC said:
I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?
apologies, should have read your description in more detail
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;

sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
M

MC

I've tried to simplify the problem and have removed all functionality
from the code other than a stock adRotator (see code Below) and I still
get the error. I also get the error with just a SqlDataSource as well.

public class Test : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
AdRotator ar = new AdRotator();
Controls.Add(ar);
}
}

However my other control Test2 works fine


public class Test2 : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
Label lbl = new Label();
lbl.Text = "Test Label";
Controls.Add(lbl);
TextBox tb = new TextBox();
Controls.Add(tb);
}
}
Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to it not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
MC said:
I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?
apologies, should have read your description in more detail

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;

sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
S

Steven Cheng[MSFT]

Hi MC,

Regarding on the problem, I've reproed it locally. After some debugging, I
found that the NullReference exception is caused by the following method of
AdRotator control:

AdRotator.BaseUrl(an internal property)

This property will be called during the rendering of Adrotator and it rely
on the "TemplateControl" property of AdRotator. However, this
"TemplateControl" property is null at design-time, thus result to the
exception. I've performed some further research and seems so far we
haven't any means to maually set the TemplateControl(to a valid one like
runtime). One way to resolve this should be create a controldesigner for
your custom control and manually render out some design-time html fragment.
For example:

#in the custom controldesigner's "GetDesignTimeHtml" method, we can define
our own html fragment that want to output at design-time
======================
[Designer(typeof(TestWebControlDesigner), typeof(IDesigner))]
public class TestWebControl : CompositeControl
{
..............
}


public class TestWebControlDesigner : ControlDesigner
{

public override string GetDesignTimeHtml()
{
return "<br/>Hello, this is Adrotator composite.";
}
}

===================

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.




--------------------
From: MC <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
Subject: Re: CompositeControl fails to display in Design view
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:10:22 GMT
Click to expand...
I've tried to simplify the problem and have removed all functionality
from the code other than a stock adRotator (see code Below) and I still
get the error. I also get the error with just a SqlDataSource as well.

public class Test : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
AdRotator ar = new AdRotator();
Controls.Add(ar);
}
}

However my other control Test2 works fine


public class Test2 : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
Label lbl = new Label();
lbl.Text = "Test Label";
Controls.Add(lbl);
TextBox tb = new TextBox();
Controls.Add(tb);
}
}
Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to it not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
MC said:
I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?

MC wrote:
apologies, should have read your description in more detail

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;

sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
M

MC

Hi Steven,

Thanks again for your time, your response was as expected. I will add
the ControlDesigner.

Could you explain how when using a ascx (user control) file everything
is fine what extra functionality does this impliment in adition to a
custom control?
Hi MC,

Regarding on the problem, I've reproed it locally. After some debugging, I
found that the NullReference exception is caused by the following method of
AdRotator control:

AdRotator.BaseUrl(an internal property)

This property will be called during the rendering of Adrotator and it rely
on the "TemplateControl" property of AdRotator. However, this
"TemplateControl" property is null at design-time, thus result to the
exception. I've performed some further research and seems so far we
haven't any means to maually set the TemplateControl(to a valid one like
runtime). One way to resolve this should be create a controldesigner for
your custom control and manually render out some design-time html fragment.
For example:

#in the custom controldesigner's "GetDesignTimeHtml" method, we can define
our own html fragment that want to output at design-time
======================
[Designer(typeof(TestWebControlDesigner), typeof(IDesigner))]
public class TestWebControl : CompositeControl
{
..............
}


public class TestWebControlDesigner : ControlDesigner
{

public override string GetDesignTimeHtml()
{
return "<br/>Hello, this is Adrotator composite.";
}
}

===================

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.




--------------------
From: MC <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
Subject: Re: CompositeControl fails to display in Design view
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:10:22 GMT
Click to expand...
I've tried to simplify the problem and have removed all functionality
from the code other than a stock adRotator (see code Below) and I still
get the error. I also get the error with just a SqlDataSource as well.

public class Test : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
AdRotator ar = new AdRotator();
Controls.Add(ar);
}
}

However my other control Test2 works fine


public class Test2 : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
Label lbl = new Label();
lbl.Text = "Test Label";
Controls.Add(lbl);
TextBox tb = new TextBox();
Controls.Add(tb);
}
}
Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to it not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
:

I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?

MC wrote:
apologies, should have read your description in more detail

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
S

Steven Cheng[MSFT]

Thanks for your reply MC,

For ascx user control scenario, it is just as if you put the control on the
page directly. In that case, since the control is in a template control's
template, it is still a standalone control, (unlike a child control in
compsite control), it still can utilitze its design-time setting and use
its custom controldesigner to render the designt-time html(that why no
exception occur). While you use it as child control of composite control,
it use runtime code to render out html at design-time and the exception
occurs.

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--------------------
From: MC <[email protected]>
User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.6 (Windows/20070728)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
Subject: Re: CompositeControl fails to display in Design view
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:28:39 GMT
Click to expand...
Hi Steven,

Thanks again for your time, your response was as expected. I will add
the ControlDesigner.

Could you explain how when using a ascx (user control) file everything
is fine what extra functionality does this impliment in adition to a
custom control?
Hi MC,

Regarding on the problem, I've reproed it locally. After some debugging, I
found that the NullReference exception is caused by the following method of
AdRotator control:

AdRotator.BaseUrl(an internal property)

This property will be called during the rendering of Adrotator and it rely
on the "TemplateControl" property of AdRotator. However, this
"TemplateControl" property is null at design-time, thus result to the
exception. I've performed some further research and seems so far we
haven't any means to maually set the TemplateControl(to a valid one like
runtime). One way to resolve this should be create a controldesigner for
your custom control and manually render out some design-time html fragment.
For example:

#in the custom controldesigner's "GetDesignTimeHtml" method, we can define
our own html fragment that want to output at design-time
======================
[Designer(typeof(TestWebControlDesigner), typeof(IDesigner))]
public class TestWebControl : CompositeControl
{
..............
}


public class TestWebControlDesigner : ControlDesigner
{

public override string GetDesignTimeHtml()
{
return "<br/>Hello, this is Adrotator composite.";
}
}

===================

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.




--------------------
From: MC <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
Subject: Re: CompositeControl fails to display in Design view
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:10:22 GMT
Click to expand...
I've tried to simplify the problem and have removed all functionality
from the code other than a stock adRotator (see code Below) and I still
get the error. I also get the error with just a SqlDataSource as well.

public class Test : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
AdRotator ar = new AdRotator();
Controls.Add(ar);
}
}

However my other control Test2 works fine


public class Test2 : CompositeControl
{
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
Label lbl = new Label();
lbl.Text = "Test Label";
Controls.Add(lbl);
TextBox tb = new TextBox();
Controls.Add(tb);
}
}

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
one thing that i have notice is that even at design time you add a
handler for the ADCreated, i'm not sure this handler will work due to
Click to expand...
it
not
being just markup, try reformatting it like:

If (DesignMode == False) {adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated)}

Not sure i wrote that correctly as i write VB, but i'm sure you get the
meaning.

Phil
:

I think I've followed your instructions however I get no exceptions.

I have an empty site
I set the debug to run devenv.exe (vs2005)
It Loads my project fine
I then view the page with the broken control on it and nothing happens?

am I doing something wrong?

MC wrote:
apologies, should have read your description in more detail

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
Yes, if you follow the instructions then that is how you can debug
the designer.
Phil

:

I have no problem with the Custom Control, It works fine in the
browser, It is the design time experience that is not working.

Can you debug the designer in Visual Studio?

Philvb wrote:
Hi MC,
the message you are getting here is from your logic in the
rendering of the control at a guess i'd say that an object hasn't
been instanciated.
But here's how i debug ALL my custom controls in real time.

In Order to debug a Custom Control you need to Start ANOTHER copy of
Visual Studio along side your existing one,and pointing it to a test
website.
This can be done by

Going To The Controls Project Properties and Selecting The Debug Tab
then set the start action to `Start External Program` and set the
box next to it to the location of devenv.exe from the correct
folder of program files.

i am using orcas beta2 here and this path is: C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe


Now set the Command Line Arguments to: /Command File.OpenWebsite
TheTestingWebSite.sln

Now The Final Step Is To Enter The FULL Path of Your SOLUTION FILE
in the Working Directory text box.

Just press F5 to start your debugging Adventure...

hope this helps
Wbr
Phil

:

I'm getting the following error messages when I view my
ComposisteControl in design time mode.

"Error Rendering Control - <My Control Name>"
"An unhandled exception has occurred
Object reference not set to an instance of an object"

The Control is as follows: -

public class TrackedAd : CompositeControl
{
public SqlDataSource sdsAds = new SqlDataSource();
public System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator adRot = new
System.Web.UI.WebControls.AdRotator();

private string _Target = "_blank";
private int _SponsorId = -1;

[Description("The Browser Target for the Attribute"),
TypeConverterAttribute(typeof(TargetConverter))]
public string Target
{
get { return _Target; }
set { _Target = value; }
}

public int SponsorId
{
get { return _SponsorId; }
set { _SponsorId = value; }
}

protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Page.RegisterRequiresControlState(this);
}

protected override object SaveControlState()
{
object[] state = { base.SaveControlState(), _Target,
_SponsorId };
return state;

}

protected override void LoadControlState(object state)
{
if (state != null)
{
object[] stateTmp = (object[])state;
base.LoadControlState(stateTmp[0]);
_Target = (string)stateTmp[1];
_SponsorId = (int)stateTmp[2];
}
}

protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
sdsAds.ConnectionString =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ConnectionString;
sdsAds.ProviderName =
ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RedsSponsors"].ProviderName;
sdsAds.SelectCommand = string.Format("SELECT
'{0}'+iif(ImageName<>null,ImageName,'../transp.gif') AS ImageUrl,
CompanyName AS AlternateText, URL AS NavigateUrl, Impressions,
Clicks FROM Sponsors WHERE Id={1}", Utils.SponsorsImageBase,
SponsorId);
sdsAds.ID = "sdsAds";

adRot.AdCreated += new
AdCreatedEventHandler(this_AdCreated);
adRot.DataSourceID = "sdsAds";
adRot.Target = Target;

Controls.Add(sdsAds);
Controls.Add(adRot);
}

protected void this_AdCreated(object sender,
AdCreatedEventArgs e)
{
SponsorsUtils.IncrementAdvertStat("CompanyName",
"Impressions", e.AlternateText);
if (e.NavigateUrl != "")
{
e.NavigateUrl =
string.Format("~/Adverts/AdvertHandler.ashx?Url={0}",
Page.Server.UrlEncode(e.NavigateUrl));
}
}
}

What is wrong? I thought by using compositecontrol I would not have
to worry about designtime?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

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