In Part I, we examined the basics of the data Web controls, which included a high-level introduction to the data Web controls, followed by a thorough examination of binding data to these controls. We also looked at how to display data with the data Web controls, and how to customize their HTML output through the use of display properties and templates.
In Part II, we turned our attention to adding both internal and external command buttons that affected the data Web controls. For example, in Chapter 4, we looked at how to provide buttons and hyperlinks to each row of a DataGrid Web control. We looked at how to wire server-side code to the ItemCommand event raised when a command button is clicked. We also looked at adding command buttons via templates (Chapter 5) and enhancing the functionality of the data Web controls by using external command buttons (Chapter 6).
We will now extend the lessons learned from Part II to provide sorting, pagination, and editing capabilities in the DataGrid. Each of these three topics has its own chapter in Part III. In Chapter 7, "Sorting the DataGrid's Data," we will examine just how to sort data in a DataGrid; likewise, in Chapter 8, "Providing DataGrid Pagination," we will look at adding pagination support to the DataGrid, ignoring the task of paging through sorted data.
In Chapter 10, "Putting it All Together: A Real-World Example," we will see how to meld the concepts learned in Chapters 7, 8, and 9. This chapter will present a single ASP.NET Web page that allows the user to sort, page through, edit, delete, and add additional data. By the end of Part III, you will have mastered the more useful and advanced features of the DataGrid Web control.
