This chapter discussed data binding for Windows Forms controls and ASP.NET data controls.
Windows Forms controls support data binding so that interactive forms can be constructed with synchronized data. By connecting individual controls to the same data source, each control will change records when the current record is changed through another control such as a ListBox or ComboBox.
The Windows Forms DataGrid is an extremely versatile control for viewing a large set of records at the same time. The DataGrid itself is customizable, allowing columns to be manipulated at runtime and controls such as ComboBox and CheckBox to be added to columns.
ASP.NET data controls include the Repeater, DataList, and DataGrid. Each has pros and cons, depending on the purpose they are used for. For example, the Repeater is good for simple display of data, the DataList is more sophisticated and enables columnar display, and a DataGrid is even more powerful and may be customized extensively. For example, in addition to viewing data, a DataGrid control may also page and sort data.
