Chapter 31. Web Forms Data Binding

IN BRIEF

This section of the book is focused entirely on ADO.NET and dealing with data in various forms. Data binding is a very broad topic, especially when you are talking about data binding within the .NET Framework.

Both Windows Forms and Web Forms (ASP.NET) have completely unique implementations of data binding. Rather than this being a hindrance to developers, it is actually very helpful. The reason for the difference is that web applications have different data binding needs than Windows applications, and the data binding mechanisms supplied for each application type are optimized for that.

ASP.NET data binding is a lengthy subject that we can't provide complete coverage for in a chapter of this size in a book this size. However, this chapter aims to provide a good summary of the code and design involved in binding your data to ASP.NET controls.

WHAT YOU NEED

REQUIRED SOFTWARE	.NET Framework SDK v1.1Visual Studio .NET 2003 with C# installed IIS version 5+ Windows XP, 2000 Pro+, 2003
RECOMMENDED HARDWARE	PC that meets .NET SDK minimum requirements
SKILLS REQUIRED	C# and .NET familiarity ADO.NET familiarity

WEB FORMS DATA BINDING AT A GLANCE

Data Binding Overview		635
	Introduction to Web Forms Data Binding	635	Simple Data Binding	636
			Complex Data Binding	638
	<%# %> Binding Syntax	635	The DataBind() Methods	638
Data Binding Mechanics		639
	Container.DataItem	639	The ItemDataBound Event	640
	DataBinder.Eva	639
Data Binding Samples		641
	Simple Binding	641	DataList Binding Binding	645
	Repeater Binding Binding	641	DataGrid Binding Binding	647
Advanced Binding Samples		647
	Header and Detail Forms	652	Cascading Header and Detail	652
Summary		657
Further Reading		658