FrameworkExtensions.System.Windows.Forms 1.0.0.70

Extensions to WindowsForms

This repository contains various C# extension methods and utilities for enhancing the functionality of existing .NET types, within the System.Windows.Forms namespace. These extensions aim to simplify common tasks, improve performance, and enhance the user experience of Windows Forms applications.

Notable features showcasing

These are only some of the supported features. There are many more available via extension methods. So don't hesitate to utilize IntelliSense within your IDE.

Control Extensions

• IsDesignMode: Detects if a control is in design mode (even within the constructor), useful for conditionally executing code only at runtime. (Control.IsDesignMode)

  if (this.IsDesignMode()) {
    // Execute design-time logic
  }
  

• ISuspendedLayoutToken: Facilitates the suspension and resumption of layout logic on controls, improving performance during batch updates. (Control.PauseLayout)

  using (this.PauseLayout()) {
      // Perform layout updates
  }
  

• ISuspendedRedrawToken: Similar to ISuspendedLayoutToken, but suspends and resumes redraw operations to avoid flickering during updates. (Control.PauseRedraw)

  using (this.PauseRedraw()) {
      // Perform redraw updates
  }
  

• Bindings: Allows using Lambdas to add bindings for easier Model-View-ViewModel architecture (MVVM). This feature facilitates the binding of control properties to model properties using lambda expressions, ensuring a cleaner and more maintainable codebase. Ensure to use the equality (==) operator as assignments (=) are not supported in expression trees. (Control.AddBinding)

  // Bind the model's LabelText property to the label's Text property.
  label.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Text == m.LabelText);
  

  Supported Binding Expressions:

  The AddBinding method supports a variety of expressions for binding control properties to model data members. Here are some examples:

  • Direct Property Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.dataMember
    

    Example:

    label.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Text == m.LabelText);
    

  • Type Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == (type)source.dataMember
    

    Example:

    numericUpDown.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Value == (decimal)m.NumericValue);
    

  • String Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.dataMember.ToString()
    

    Example:

    textBox.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Text == m.IntegerValue.ToString());
    

  • Nested Property Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.subMember.dataMember
    

    Example:

    label.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Text == m.SubModel.SubLabelText);
    

  • Nested Type Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == (type)source.subMember.dataMember
    

    Example:

    progressBar.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Value == (int)m.SubModel.ProgressValue);
    

  • Nested String Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.subMember.dataMember.ToString()
    

    Example:

    comboBox.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.SelectedItem == m.SubModel.SelectedValue.ToString());
    

  • Deeply Nested Property Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.....dataMember
    

    Example:

    label.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Text == m.Level1.Level2.Level3.Text);
    

  • Deeply Nested Type Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == (type)source.....dataMember
    

    Example:

    slider.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.Value == (double)m.Level1.Level2.Level3.SliderValue);
    

  • Deeply Nested String Conversion Binding:

    (control, source) => control.propertyName == source.....dataMember.ToString()
    

    Example:

    listBox.AddBinding(model, (c, m) => c.SelectedItem == m.Level1.Level2.Level3.ItemValue.ToString());
    

• UI-Threading: Determine whether to use a controls' UI thread to execute code or not. (Control.SafelyInvoke/Control.Async)

  form.SafelyInvoke(() => {
      // UI thread safe code
  });
  

DataGridView Extensions

Info on used datatypes

• methodname: The name (=string) of an instance or static method, utilize nameof()-operator
• propertyname: The name (=string) of an instance or static property, utilize nameof()-operator
• colorstring: A serialized (=string) color, must be one of:
  • Hex-Digits between 0-F:
    • #AARRGGBB, e.g. #CCFF9900
    • #RRGGBB, e.g. #FF9900
    • #ARGB, e.g. #CF90
    • #RGB, e.g. #F90
  • Decimal-Digits between 0-255:
    • Alpha, Red, Green, Blue
    • Red, Green, Blue
  • Floating-Point between 0.0-1.0:
    • Alpha, Red, Green, Blue
    • Red, Green, Blue
  • Known Color Name
    • e.g Red, Lime, DodgerBlue, etc.

Column Types

These extensions provide additional DataGridView column types, enhancing the functionality and interactivity of your grids.

BoundComboBox

A ComboBox column that supports data binding within cells.

DateTimePicker

A DateTimePicker column for date selection.

DisableButton

A button column with disable functionality.

ImageAndText

A column that can display both images and text.

MultiImage

Supports multiple images in a single cell.

NumericUpDown

A column with NumericUpDown control for numeric input.

ProgressBar

A column with a progress bar to visualize progress.

Attributes

These can be used on the data records used as DataSource for the DataGridView.

Record-Based (Applies to Full Row)

ConditionalRowHidden

Conditionally hides rows based on specified criteria.

FullMergedRow

Merges multiple cells into a single cell spanning multiple columns.

RowHeight

Sets the height of the rows.

RowSelectable

Specifies if the row can be selected.

RowStyle

Applies a specific style to the entire row.

Property-Based (Applies to Cell)

ConditionalReadOnly

Makes cells read-only based on specified conditions.

SupportsConditionalImageAttribute

Shows an image next to a cell's text based on specified conditions.

CellDisplayText

Sets the display text of a cell.

CellStyle

Applies a specific style to a cell.

CellToolTip

Sets a tooltip for the cell.

Clickable

Makes the cell clickable and defines click behavior.

ColumnSortMode

Sets the sort mode for the column.

ColumnWidth

Sets the width of the column.

Property-Based (Applies to Column Type)

ButtonColumn

Generates a button column for the property.

CheckboxColumn

Generates a checkbox column for the property.

No additional parameters required.

ComboboxColumn

Generates a combobox column for the property.

ImageColumn

Generates an image column for the property.

MultiImageColumn

Generates a multi-image column for the property.

NumericUpDownColumn

Generates a numericupdown column for the property.

ProgressBarColumn

Generates a progressbar column for the property.

ImageAndTextColumn

Generates an image and text column for the property.

RichTextBox Extensions

• Syntax Highlighting: Adds syntax highlighting capabilities to RichTextBox controls, making it easier to implement features for code editors or similar applications.

TabControl Extensions

• Tab Headers: Adds coloring and images to tab page headers.