Using ASP.NET Server Controls

As we've mentioned, you can use ASP.NET server controls to easily create and programmatically reference and control objects in ASP.NET script pages. To make programming this large library of controls easier, each control has a base object model that contains the same properties, methods, and events. In our previous example, you saw a few HTML server control counterparts to some standard HTML form controls we all know and love. However, HTML server controls are only the beginning. There are 45 default ASP.NET web server controls that you can use for everything from controlling the value of a text box to managing the display of an ad banner system to binding a form field to a column in a database.

At this point, you may be wondering about the differences between HTML server controls and web server controls. Very simply, HTML server controls are standard HTML tags with the RUNAT=SERVER parameter that marks them as a server controls. HTML server controls lack the expansive attributes and control provided by web server controls. In addition, the ASP.NET web server won't generate HTML targeted to browser versions as web server controls will. Table 14.2 shows a list of common HTML server controls. (As you recall, most HTML elements can be transformed into HTML server controls by adding the RUNAT=SERVER parameter.) Table 14.3 lists and describes web server controls. Don't stop there. Hundreds of web server controls are freely available on the web. In fact, you can even create your own web server controls.

Table 14.2: HTML SERVER CONTROLS

Control	What It Controls
HTMLAnchor	The HTML <a> tag
HtmlButton	The HTML <button> element
HtmlForm	The HTML <form> element
HtmlGenericControl	HTML elements that are not specifically supported by existing server controls, such as <span>, <div>, and <font>
HtmlImage	The HTML <img> element
HtmlInputButton	The HTML <input type=button>, <input type=submit>, and <input type=reset> elements
HtmlInputCheckBox	The HTML <input type=checkbox> element
HtmlInputFile	The HTML <input type=file> element
HtmlInputHidden	The HTML <input type=hidden> element
HtmlInputImage	The HTML <input type=image> element
HtmlInputRadioButton	The HTML <input type=radio> element
HtmlInputText	The HTML <input type=text> and <input type=password> elements
HtmlSelect	The HTML <select> element
HtmlTable	The HTML <table> elemen
tHtmlTableCell	The HTML <td> and <th> elements
HtmlTableRow	The HTML <tr> element
HtmlTextArea	The HTML <textarea> element

Table 14.3: WEB SERVER CONTROLS

Control	Purpose
AdRotator	Displays an advertising banner
Button	Displays a push button
Calendar	Displays a one-month calendar with which the user can select dates and move to the previous and next months
CheckBox	Displays a check box control
CheckBoxList	Creates a group of check boxes that can be dynamically created by binding to a data source
CompareValidator	Compares one form control value to another or to a specified
valueCustomValidator	Validates based on user-defined parameters
DataGrid	Displays items from a data source in a table and allows the user to select, edit, and sort items
DataList	Displays items from a data source using templates that can be customized
DropDownList	Displays a drop-down list from which the user can select an item
HyperLink	Displays a link that directs the user to another page
Image	Displays an image defined by the ImageURL property
ImageButton	Displays an image and allows the server to handle click events
Label	Displays and manipulates static content on the page with the benefit of applying styles to the content
Litera	Displays and manipulates static content on the page without applying styles to the content
LinkButton	Displays hyperlink-style buttons
ListBox	Displays a single- or multiple-selection list box
Panel	Displays a panel as a container for other controls
PlaceHolder	Reserves a location in the page for programmatically added controls
RadioButton	Displays a radio button
RadioButtonList	Displays a radio button group that can be dynamically created by binding to a data source
RangeValidator	Validates that the value of a form control falls within a given range
RegularExpressionValidator	Validates that the value of a form control matches a specific pattern such as a date or a credit card number
Repeater	Displays the items from a data source in a layout dictated by repeating a single template for each item in the list
Table	Displays and manipulates a tableTableCell Creates and manipulates a cell for the Table control
TableRow	Creates and manipulates a row for the
Table controlTextbox	Displays a single or multiline text box
RequiredFieldValidator	Validates that the user does insert a value into a form control before submitting the form
ValidationSummary	Displays a summary of all failed validation controls
XML	Used to output data to an XML document or text stream

In most cases, using a server control in Dreamweaver MX is simple. For example, to add a Form control to your page, follow these steps:

1. Create a new ASP.NET page in your defined ASP.NET site.

2. From the ASP.NET toolbar, click the Textbox button to open the TagEditor - Textbox dialog box, which is shown in Figure 14.3.

   
   Figure 14.3: Dreamweaver MX inserts the Textbox server control

3. Enter the ID and TextMode, and click OK. Dreamweaver MX places the Textbox server control in your page.