Developing Web Parts Using ASP'Net Web UserControls

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Developing Web Parts UsingASP.Net Web
UserControls

• By Brett Lonsdale
• Combined Knowledge

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Agenda

• Creating WebParts Without UserControls
• Overview of creating WebParts
• Overriding the CreateChildControls method
• Creating WebParts using UserControls
• Creating a Virtual Directory
• Defining Managed Paths
• Creating a Visual Studio.Net Web Application for
  our UserControl
• Create the UserControl WebPart
• Overriding the CreateChildControls method
• Deploying the WebPart
• Testing the WebPart

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Overview of Creating WebParts

• Install the .net WebPart Templates
• Rename the WebPart
• Strongly Name the Assembly
• Override CreateChildControls Sub (Optional)
• RenderWebPart
• Compile/Deploy
• Test Debug

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Overview of Creating WebParts Contd

• Lets Create a simple Exchange Rate WebPart
  without using a UserControl.

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Overriding the CreateChildControls Method

• Use Tables to position controls
• Declare Controls
• Instantiate Controls
• Set Properties
• Add Controls to Controls Collection

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Create WebParts using UserControlsCreating a
Virtual Directory

• Create a new Virtual Directory using IIS to house
  a Visual Studio.Net Web Application
• Creating the Web Application will fail.
• We will solve this by creating an excluded path.

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Defining Managed Paths

• Exclude the Path by using Virtual Server Settings
  in the SharePoint Central Administration Settings.

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Creating a Visual Studio.Net Web Application for
our UserControl

• You can now create your web application, but
  still expect an error that needs handling.
• Call your web application http//PortalName/Userco
  ntrols
• Handle The Error.

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Creating a Visual Studio.Net Web Application for
our UserControlContd.

• Remove Global.asax and web.config
• Add a Web UserControl
• Drag and Drop your standard controls
• Write your code!
• Test your control using WebForm1.aspx
• Debug

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Create the UserControl WebPart

• Add a WebPart Project to the Solution
• Rename, Strong name the assembly, Override the
  CreateChildControls method
• Render the Controls output

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Deploying the WebPart

• Create a Cab Project
• Add the Project Output The Content Files from
  the WebPart project.
• Deploy the WebPart using STSADM
• Copy the UserControls DLL to the GAC or the Bin
  directory of the Virtual Server.

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Testing the WebPart

• Test the WebPart by dragging and dropping it from
  the Virtual Server Gallery!

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Future WebParts

• Re-Use the UserControls Web Application to create
  New webparts in the future.
• I suppose you could consider the SmartPart???

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Questions Answers

• Download these slides from www.combined-knowledge.
  com
• or from www.suguk.org