Ramky's

Top 10 Reasons to Switch from Java to Visual C#

2009-01-15T21:57:00.000-08:00

"C Style" memory access

Rather than forcing developers to write code to access application programming interfaces (APIs) in other languages in order to access specific memory locations (e.g. hardware-mapped memory), C# allows developers to use "C style" memory management and pointers when necessary. Of course, one of the major design goals of the Java language and other object-oriented languages is specifically to outlaw such access. A fact which Microsoft acknowledges by forcing the C# programmer to label such accesses with the unsafe keyword.

Extensions for component-oriented development

Visual C# provides developers with a powerful component-oriented development language that includes support for properties, indexers, delegates, inheritance, versioning, and attributes, without the need for esoteric or rigid naming patterns and companion classes.

Familiarity

Java developers will immediately find Visual C# to be familiar and comfortable. C# is like Java on steroids. There are some extra keywords; and, Visual C# supports some extra constructs. But, a Java coder can learn the C# language in a day or two. Learning the APIs is a different matter.

Interactive XML Web services

Visual C# allows developers to deploy and consume rich, interactive XML Web services that reduce development time by enabling software aggregation from any platform. Microsoft is famous for hiding the details from the developer: This is both good and bad. New developers may not actually know or understand what is going on under the hood. On the other hand, it does increase productivity. Of course, Java developers have a variety of IDEs such as Eclipse to choose from. All of which provide some degree of support for Web services.

Leverage the .NET Framework

Visual C# provides developers with access to the Microsoft .NET Framework --a robust, thread-safe library of collection classes, data access classes, networking functions, etc. Recently, however, various bridge software offer .NET access from Java programs as well as access to the rich Java libraries from .NET languages.

Object-based type system

Visual C# provides developers an object-based type system that eliminates the need for complex, verbose data marshalling code commonly required by Java applications.

Standards-based language

Visual C# provides developers with a standards-based language (ECMA) with all its advantages. This is a significant advantage over the Java language.

Target any device

Visual C# lets developers target desktop computers or a variety of handheld and wireless devices using identical tools and skills. True, but all the devices must be Windows based.

Visual Studio .NET IDE

Visual C# provides developers with the Visual Studio .NET integrated development environment (IDE) which includes support for task lists, property editors, Microsoft IntelliSense®, Forms designers, etc. For development on Windows platform, Visual Studio is king. However, Visual Studio lags Eclipse and other IDEs except in Microsoft-specific features.

XML comments

Visual C# allows developers to use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) Comments to provide useful and customizable source code documentation. Of course, so does Java although Microsoft does add its own twists to it.

Most Dangerous Programming Errors

2009-01-14T23:22:00.000-08:00

In the below link, you will find "Most Dangerous Programming Errors "
http://reddevnews.com/blogs/weblog.aspx?blog=3067

Different Gridview Operations

2008-12-18T01:43:00.000-08:00

We use gridview control for different purpose in our application. Here I am explanning some of the
most useful operations using gridview
Here I am showing the final results of the various samples. You can download the complete source in end of the article.

Search in Gridview

General Edit operations with Gridview.

Showing Image in gridview.

Showing Image in gridview from Databas

Gridview with checkboxes

Modalpopup with Gridview

Hovermenu with Gridview

Import Excel to Gridview

Import Gridview to Excel

Using Filters in Gridview

Search in Gridview
Some times we need search the inner details of a gridview. For this requirement we can use this functionality.

General Edit operations with Gridview.
This is very common operation. But really useful when we have few columns

Showing Image in gridview.
Some times we have to show Images inside gridview which are placed in one folder in server.

 <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Image">

                   <ItemTemplate>

                    <img src="Images/<%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "Mobile")%>" 

                    width="200px" 

                    height="200px" />

                   </ItemTemplate>

                  </asp:TemplateField>

Showing Image in gridview from Databas
If the Images are stored in database, then we have to use Generic handler, by using this we can retrive the Images from database. You can find the source in download.

  <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Image">

                   <ItemTemplate>

                    <asp:Image ID="imgproduct" runat="server" Width="100px" Height="100px" 

                    ImageUrl='<%# "Product.ashx?pid="+ Eval("PID") %>'  />

                   </ItemTemplate>

                  </asp:TemplateField>

Gridview with checkboxes
In many requirements we will have checkboxes in our grid. check here how to get the selected checkbox values inide the gridview

Modalpopup with Gridview
In gridview we can show the Ajax Modalpopup, when user clicks on button which placed inside a gridview.

  if (e.CommandName == "view")

        {

            string idval = e.CommandArgument.ToString();

            DataSet ds = (DataSet)Session["dbsample"];

            DataRow[] gvw = ds.Tables[0].Select("ID = '" + idval + "'");

            if (gvw.Length > 0)

            {

                txtname.Text = gvw[0]["Name"].ToString();

                txtdept.Text = gvw[0]["Department"].ToString();

                txtdesig.Text = gvw[0]["Designation"].ToString();

                txtemail.Text = gvw[0]["Email"].ToString();

                txtphone.Text = gvw[0]["Phone"].ToString();

                txtaddress.Text = gvw[0]["Address"].ToString();

            }

            ModalPopupExtender1.Show();

        }

Hovermenu with Gridview
Check out this example, how to integrate a hovermenu with the gridview

   protected void grdImage_RowDataBound(object sender, GridViewRowEventArgs e)

            {

                if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.DataRow)

                {

                    AjaxControlToolkit.HoverMenuExtender hme = e.Row.FindControl("HoverMenuExtender1") as AjaxControlToolkit.HoverMenuExtender;

                    e.Row.ID = "row" + e.Row.RowIndex.ToString();

                    Panel hf = e.Row.FindControl("pnl1") as Panel;

                    hme.TargetControlID = e.Row.ID;

                }

            }

Import Excel to Gridview
Check how to Import a XL file and bind it grid view

Import Gridview to Excel
Export the selected rows in gridview to Excel

Using Filters in Gridview
Check here how to use the filters in gridview

Source Code

Alphabetic User Control

2008-12-14T22:11:00.000-08:00

In some situations we may have a requirement to search the records Alphabetic wise. For these type of requirement we have to take 26 alphabets and when we have to generate click events to know which alphabet clicked. Its not a good way to generate 26 button click events. Instead of that we can take Command Name and we will call the same function. And if we make a user control, this control can used many times in our project.
First Add a Webuser control to your project and name it as “Alphabetic_Control.ascx”. Then add 26 link buttons. Each button has “Command Name” and “onclick” events.
“Command Name” contains the text of the link button like A, B, etc. and all “onclick” events of 26 link button calls “SelectList_Alpha” function.
The final user control code is:

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkA" runat="server" CommandName="A" Text="A" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkB" runat="server" CommandName="B" Text="B" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkC" runat="server" CommandName="C" Text="C" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkD" runat="server" CommandName="D" Text="D" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkE" runat="server" CommandName="E" Text="E" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkF" runat="server" CommandName="F" Text="F" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkG" runat="server" CommandName="G" Text="G" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkH" runat="server" CommandName="H" Text="H" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkI" runat="server" CommandName="I" Text="I" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkJ" runat="server" CommandName="J" Text="J" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkK" runat="server" CommandName="K" Text="K" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkL" runat="server" CommandName="L" Text="L" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkM" runat="server" CommandName="M" Text="M" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkN" runat="server" CommandName="N" Text="N" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkO" runat="server" CommandName="O" Text="O" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkP" runat="server" CommandName="P" Text="P" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkQ" runat="server" CommandName="Q" Text="Q" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkR" runat="server" CommandName="R" Text="R" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkS" runat="server" CommandName="S" Text="S" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkT" runat="server" CommandName="T" Text="T" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkU" runat="server" CommandName="U" Text="U" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkV" runat="server" CommandName="V" Text="V" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkW" runat="server" CommandName="W" Text="W" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkX" runat="server" CommandName="X" Text="X" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkY" runat="server" CommandName="Y" Text="Y" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton> -

<asp:LinkButton ID="lnkZ" runat="server" CommandName="Z" Text="Z" OnClick="SelectList_Alpha"></asp:LinkButton>

Write the “SelectList_Alpha” function in the code behind. The complete code is..
The User control designing is completed, Now we have to generate a “Click” events to this User Control. The reason to create “Click” event is when we take this user control to other page it will not fire the click event. We have to create a “Click” event explicitly. For this we need to create a “Delegate” and “Event Handler”. It can shown as..

public delegate void ClickEventHandler(object sender, EventArgs e);

public event ClickEventHandler Click;

protected void SelectList_Alpha(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

LinkButton lnk = (LinkButton)sender;

Click(sender, e);

}

Now create new page as “AlphaTest.aspx” in this page go to “design” view and drag the user control which we created.
Now go the code behind of “AlphaText.aspx”. In the page_load event create a delegate. The delegate can be created as.

Alphabetic_Control1.Click += new Alphabetic_Control.ClickEventHandler(Alphabetic_Control1_Click); 

The above code can be achieved as, First the ID of the User control, i.e, AplhaBeticcontrol1. when we put a “.” Inside that it will show all the methods and events. In that one select “Click”. Then put a “+”and “=” automatically designer will tell you to press the “Tab” button. Press 2 times it will generate the “Click” event.
In the click event write the fallowing code..

protected void Alphabetic_Control1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

LinkButton lnkbtn = (LinkButton)sender;

Response.Write("You Selected : " + lnkbtn.CommandName.ToString());

}

Now run the "AlphaTest.aspx" page, when ever you click on the user control a event will be fired.

Download Sample Code

Forms Authentication with Active Directory in ASP.Net2.0

2008-11-22T00:53:00.000-08:00

What Is Active Directory
An active directory is a directory structure used on Microsoft Windows based computers and servers to store information and data about networks and domains.
ASP.Net 2.0 has membership feature which we can use for forms authentication. This feature provides an abstraction for the underlying data store that is used to maintain user credentials like as user name, password. The membership feature includes an API that helps you to easily validate user credentials and manage the user database.
To use Active Directory (AD) in ASP.Net, First we have to create “Instance For ADAM” and configuration of it. Then I will create a sample application and explain how to interact ADAM with ASP.Net.
Creating Instance and Configuration:
Install ADAM software. Then select “Create an ADAM Instance” in the start menu.

Select “A Unique Instance”, then give some name to the Instance

Give a Port number, leave default SSL port number.

Select “Yes, to create an application directory partition”.

Here O,DC are the LDAP attributes.
Leave default values for location of data file and backup file.

Provide the account under which this account runs.

It will prompt for confirmation,select “YES”. Then select System

Import all LDIF Files.

Copy contents and paste in a file(notepad, etc)

Click Next which will Instantiate new Instance.

Click Finish. And open ADAM ADSI Edit in start menu.

Right click on ADSI root node and click connect to. And enter the details as.

Right click on Distinguished name and select New -> Object in that one select “Organizational Unit” which for Admin.

Click on Finish. Now right click on the Organizational Unit which is created and select Properties, in that properties select distinguished name property and copy into a notepad.

Right click on new OU(Organizational Unit) and create a new User

Now right click on CN=TestAdminUser and select properties, in that properties change the User Principal Name as

And make the “Don’tExpirePassword” property to false.

Now right click on TestAdminUser and reset the password.

Go to CN=Roles and choose CN=Administrators and choose properties and go to member property.

Click on Add ADAM Account and add the user created above.
Create another Organizational Unit (OU) for the user to create login account programmatically.

Go to Roles and choose CN=Readers and choose properties and then select “member” property. Add ADAM account.

Now open ADAM command prompt and run command “dsmgmt.exe”

Now configure ADAM schema – Password policy setting. Type as “mmc /a”.

Click on File – Add/Remove snap – In and then click on ADD and select ADAM Schema

Select ok, ok. Right Click on ADAM Schema and change the server details. Enter the details of ADAM Instance.

Right click on Attributes and click on create attribute.

Go to Classes Node in the Adam Schema, select User and right click and choose properties and select Attributes tab.

Add all the properties created above.
Go to ADAM ADSI Edit , select the instance and right click on it. In that select Update Schema Now.

Note:I created a document of "ADAM Instance Creation" with all of screen shots. You can find below.
Interacting with ADAM with ASP.Net
Step 1: Create a website and add three pages to the application with name Registration.aspx, Login.aspx, Welcome.aspx.
Step 2: Open Registration.aspx page. Drag “CreateUserWizard” control and set the “ContinueDestinationPageUrl” as “~/login.aspx”.
Step 3: Now open login.aspx page. Drag “Login” control and set the “DestinationPageUrl” property to welcome.aspx. and set “DisplayRememberMe” to false.
Step 4: Now open the web.config file and add the blow mentioned code.

<appSettings>

        <add key="connectionUsername" value="CN=TestAdminUser,OU=TestAdmin,O=Admtest,DC=Testing,DC=COM"/>

        <add key="connectionPassword" value="hello"/>

        <add key="connectionServer" value="localhost"/>

        <add key="connectionPortNumber" value="50001"/>

        <add key="connectionRoot" value="O=Aest,DC=Testing,DC=COM"/>

        <add key="connectionUsersContainer" value="TestUsers"/>

        <add key="defaultRoles" value="Readers"/>

        <add key="connectionRolesContainer" value="Roles"/>

        <add key="connectionAdminsContainer" value="TestAdmin"/>

    </appSettings>

<appSettings>

<connectionStrings>

        <add name="TestCon" connectionString="LDAP://localhost:50001/OU=TestUsers,O=Aest,DC=Testing,DC=COM"/>

    </connectionStrings>

<appSettings>

 <machineKey validationKey="51AF1A8093A19043C4AAEC218BC36D9C3299C06AA823DDDAC5877431E7AFE90C1B053057EA760CA4DCC15D3CED15035588BB1B461C959434DE68B8381CDF99AA" decryptionKey="BCE825E1668990B11CE01AFF01C4AFE8D63AE300958A85EC" validation="SHA1"/>

        <membership defaultProvider="MyADAMMembershipProvider">

            <providers>

                <add name="MyADAMMembershipProvider"

         type="System.Web.Security.ActiveDirectoryMembershipProvider, System.Web, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral,PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a" 

          connectionStringName="TestCon"

          connectionUsername="CN=TestAdminUser,OU=TestAdmin,O=Aest,DC=Testing,DC=COM"

          connectionPassword="hello"

          connectionProtection="None" 

          enableSearchMethods="true"

          requiresUniqueEmail="false"

          enablePasswordReset="true"

          requiresQuestionAndAnswer="true"

          attributeMapPasswordQuestion="PasswordQuestion"

          attributeMapPasswordAnswer="PasswordAnswer"

          attributeMapFailedPasswordAnswerCount="BadPasswordAnswerCount"

          attributeMapFailedPasswordAnswerTime="BadPasswordAnswerTime"

          attributeMapFailedPasswordAnswerLockoutTime="BadPasswordAnswerLockoutTime"

        minRequiredNonalphanumericCharacters="0"

      passwordStrengthRegularExpression = "(?=.{7,})(?=.*\d)(?=.*[a-z])(?=.*[A-Z])(?=.*[@`~$%^+=!*])"/>

            </providers>

        </membership>

Once you modified web.config as like above. Then run the registration page and create a User. If user created succesfully you can find a file created with user name in "TestUsers" section of ADAM.
Note:Add "System.DirectoryServices" assembly reference to your application.
Download ADAM

Download creating ADAM Instance Step by step Document.

Download Sample Application

Using Typed DataSet in .Net

2008-11-04T02:08:00.000-08:00

A typed DataSet is a strongly-typed container for collections of business entity data and inherits from the System.Data.DataSet class. However, unlike the standard DataSet that features late binding and weak typing, typed DataSets provide strongly-typed access to data.

This means that they expose table, column, and relation objects as named properties, rather than generic collection elements. Essentially, we can write code as MyRow.ClientName, as opposed to MyRow["ClientName"].

Here we can see how to create a Typed DataSet

Typed DataSets also give us the ability to use IntelliSense for statement completion
and type checking at compile time. In the context of reporting, they aid in data-driven report design and provide an excellent form of self-documentation of stored procedure result sets.

Benefits of Typed DataSets
Typed DataSets have many benefits over standard DataSets. Let’s take a look at how they simplifyand enhance the development process.

Strong Typing
Typed DataSets give you the ability to use IntelliSense for statement completion and type checking at compile time. Where as in Untyped we must type the column name correctly (or receive a runtime error), and you must cast the column object to the correct DataType.
Typed DataSets also make it easy to define default column values when you add new
DataRows

Easier Traversing of Hierarchical Data
If a typed DataSet contains table relations, the XML Schema Definition tool adds methods to the typed DataSet class for traversing hierarchical data

Using Find
Additionally, if you define a primary key for any table in a typed DataSet, the class exposes a FindXXX() method associated with the column name. We can perform a find against a table with a primary key of OrderID by using the pregenerated method FindByOrderID(). If the primary key is a concatenation of two columns (for example, CustomerID and OrderID), then it can be as FindByCustomerIDOrderID().

Null Value Handling
Working with null values is a little easier when using typed DataSets. Each typed DataRow contains a method to check whether a column value is null: MyRow.IsAddressNull(). The DataRow also contains a second method to set a column value to null: MyRow.SetAddressNull().

Reporting
Typed DataSets are valuable in the reporting process. We can design report content from a typed DataSet definition, even before the stored procedures are constructed. Once again, the typed DataSet becomes a form of documentation for the report DataSource.

Subclassing
Since a typed DataSet is a class that inherits from System.DataSet, we can further subclass a typed DataSet to add validation code or any other methods. Alternatively, we can also take advantage of the new partial class capability in Visual Studio 2005 to add method code for our DataSet.

Simplify Data Binding
Typed DataSets can simplify design-time data binding—we can define a DataSource in the property sheet. Because our sample application stores all typed DataSets as a separate project DLL, we can add the DLL to the Visual Studio toolbox, and then drop an instance of the typed DataSet onto a form as a precursor to design-time data binding. Developers who define DataSources in code still gain the advantage of table/column name discovery through IntelliSense.

DataSet Operations

Adding Rows to Dataset

//Adding Rows to Dataset 

Company cm = new Company();

cm.Employee.AddEmployeeRow("123", "Ram", "Krishna", "9866", "Hyderabad","22/08/2008");

//Adding Rows in Another way.

Company.EmployeeRow enewRow = cm.Employee.NewEmployeeRow();

enewRow.EMPID = "235";

enewRow.FName = "Ashfaq";

enewRow.LName = "Sajju ";

enewRow.Mobile = "123";

enewRow.City = "Sec-Bad";

cm.Employee.AddEmployeeRow(enewRow);

GridView1.DataSource = cm;

GridView1.DataBind();

Looping Through Dataset

Company cmp = new Company();

// cmp = Genertate some method for rows();

foreach (Company.EmployeeRow rw in cmp.Employee.Rows)

{

string name = rw.FName;

}

Using Date Math

// To Check the emps who joined b/w 3 months from current date

Company com1 = new Company();

int totDays;

TimeSpan ts;

DateTime today = DateTime.Today;

foreach (Company.EmployeeRow erow in com1.Employee.Rows)

{

ts = today.Subtract(erow.DOJ);

totDays = ts.Days;

if (totDays > 90)

{

// Process Here

}

}

Defining Primary key programmetically

Company com2 = new Company();

com2.Employee.PrimaryKey = new DataColumn[]

{

com2.Employee.EMPIDColumn

};

com2.Employee.PrimaryKey = new DataColumn[]

{

com2.Employee.Columns["EMPID"]

};

// If the EMPID is defined are primary key..

// Then only we get FindByEMPID

Company.EmployeeRow eow = com2.Employee.FindByEMPID("123");

string empid = eow.EMPID;

Filtering

// We can apply filtering for Dates, Strings, Numerics, etc

Company cm = new Company();

string cFilterExpr = "";

// Date handling

cFilterExpr = "DOJ >= '01/31/2006' AND InvoiceDate <= '02/28/2006'";

cFilterExpr = "DOJ >= #01/31/2006";

// Full and partial text searches

cFilterExpr = "FName = 'Ram'";

// Search for "Construction" anywhere

cFilterExpr = "FName LIKE '%Ram%'";

// Numeric data

cFilterExpr = "Sal > 1000";

// Combining AND/OR

cFilterExpr = "(FName LIKE '%Ram%' OR FName LIKE %Krishna%') AND Sal > 5000";

// Using the IN function

cFilterExpr = "Sal IN (1000,2000,3000)";

cFilterExpr = "FName IN ('Ram','Rama')";

cFilterExpr = "FName NOT IN ('Ashfaq','Sajju')";

// Using the ISNULL function

cFilterExpr = "ISNULL(InvoiceAmount,-9999)=-9999";

// Using the PARENT (or CHILD) function

cFilterExpr = "Parent(RelName) = like '%NATIONAL'";

DataRow[] dr = cm.Employee.Select(cFilterExpr);

We can peroform more operations like Data Relations, etc with Typed Datasets.

.Net Keyboard Shortcuts

2008-10-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

For Uppar Case/Lower Case: Ctrl+SHFT+U/Ctrl+U

To Specify regions and etc: CTRL+K, CTRL+S

Word Wrap: CTRL+E, W

Transpose Line: SHFT+ALT+T

Delete white space: CTRL+K, \

Move to Nav Bar: Ctrl + F2

For Full Screen: Alt + Shift + Enter

For Intellisense: Ctrl + J Or Ctrl + Space

To close the current tab: Ctrl+F4

Expand/collapse definitions : Ctrl+M+M

Used to move pervious position: Ctrl +-

Go to declaration/Find usages: F12

To focus on Solution Explorer: Ctrl + Alt + L

To copy any line in your .Net Editor don’t select complete line, just place the cursor on the line and press ctrl-c and press ctrl-v where ever you want to paste the line.

For Comments: Ctrl – K + C

For Un Comments: Ctrl – K + U

To Format the document: Ctrl-K + D

To Add new items: Ctrl-N or Ctrl-Shift+A

To cut a line you also use: Ctrl-L

To shift between .net editor Pages: Ctrl + Tab

To Format the selection: Ctrl – K + F

To cycle through clipboard "ring": Ctrl+Shift+V

To Add a Book Mark use: Ctrl K + K

To Navigate to new Book Mark: Ctrl K + N

To Clear all book marks : CTRL+B, C

Creating PDFs on Fly with ASP.Net for Free of Cost

2008-10-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

Here I am going to show you how we can create PDFs with ASP.Net with Free of cost. There is tool called “iTextSharp” using this dll we can create pdfs. Not only pdfs we can able to crate rtf also. iTextSharp provides various classes to make pdf with different options.
In the generated pdf file we can add tables, Images, Links etc. Here in I am explaining with some examples.
First add the ‘iTextSharp” dll to your applications.

using sharp=iTextSharp.text;

using iTextSharp.text.pdf;

using iTextSharp.text.xml;

Creating Sample PDF

    sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Sample.pdf";

        PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        //Here I am adding a Paragraph to the document

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Its a Sample Example for Creating PDF File Using iTextSharp. Its For Free of Cost."));

        document.Close();

PDF with Different Fonts

sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Fonts.pdf";

        PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

            sharp.Phrase myPhrase = new sharp.Phrase("Hello 1! ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.BOLD));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("some other font ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.HELVETICA, 8)));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("This is the end of the sentence.\n", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.ITALIC)));

      document.Add(myPhrase);

            myPhrase = new sharp.Phrase("Hello 1bis! ", sharp.FontFactory.GetFont(sharp.FontFactory.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.BOLD));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("some other font ", sharp.FontFactory.GetFont(sharp.FontFactory.HELVETICA, 8)));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("This is the end of the sentence.\n", sharp.FontFactory.GetFont(sharp.FontFactory.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.ITALIC)));

      document.Add(myPhrase);

            sharp.Paragraph myParagraph = new sharp.Paragraph("Hello 2! ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.BOLD));

            myParagraph.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("This is the end of the sentence.", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.ITALIC)));

      document.Add(myParagraph);

            myParagraph = new sharp.Paragraph(12);

            myParagraph.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Hello 3! ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.BOLD)));

            myParagraph.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("This is the end of the sentence.", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.ITALIC)));

      document.Add(myParagraph);

            myPhrase = new sharp.Phrase(12);

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("Hello 4! ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.BOLD)));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("This is the end of the sentence.\n", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.TIMES_ROMAN, 8, sharp.Font.ITALIC)));

      document.Add(myPhrase);

            myPhrase = new sharp.Phrase(12);

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("Hello 5! ", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.COURIER, 12, sharp.Font.BOLD, sharp.Color.RED)));

            myPhrase.Add(new sharp.Phrase("This Font in Blue Color.\n", new sharp.Font(sharp.Font.COURIER, 12, sharp.Font.ITALIC, sharp.Color.BLUE)));

            document.Add(myPhrase);

            document.Close();

Creating Links, Lists, Annotations

// Here I am Creating Multiple Pages. 

        sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document(sharp.PageSize.A4, 50, 50, 50, 50);

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Links.pdf";

        PdfWriter writer = PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        //Page 1 Links

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Sample Link: \n"));

        sharp.Paragraph para = new sharp.Paragraph("Here is link for my blog:");

        sharp.Anchor  anchor = new sharp.Anchor("Ramcrishna.Blogspot.com", sharp.FontFactory.GetFont(sharp.FontFactory.HELVETICA_BOLD, 12,sharp.Font.UNDERLINE, new sharp.Color(0,0,255)));

        anchor.Reference = "http://ramcrishna.blogspot.com";

        anchor.Name = "top";

        para.Add(anchor);

        document.Add(para);

        //Page 2 Lists

        document.NewPage();

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Sample List: \n"));

        sharp.List lst = new sharp.List(true, 20);

        lst.Add(new sharp.ListItem("Fist Item"));

        lst.Add(new sharp.ListItem("Second Item"));

        lst.Add(new sharp.ListItem("Third Item"));

        document.Add(lst);

        sharp.Paragraph para1 = new sharp.Paragraph("Different List Type:");

        lst = new sharp.List(false,10);

        lst.Add("ASP.Net");

        lst.Add("VB.Net");

        lst.Add("C#.Net");

        para1.Add(lst);

        document.Add(para1);

        //Page 3 Annotations 

        document.NewPage();

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Sample Annotations: \n"));

        PdfContentByte cb = writer.DirectContent;

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0x00, 0x00, 0xFF);

        cb.Rectangle(100, 700, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        sharp.Annotation annot = new sharp.Annotation(100f, 700f, 200f, 800f, "http://ramcrishna.blogspot.com");

        document.Add(annot);

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0xFF, 0x00, 0x00);

        cb.Rectangle(200, 700, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        try

        {

            document.Add(new sharp.Annotation(200f, 700f, 300f, 800f, new Uri("http://www.asp.net")));

        }

        catch

        {

        }

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0x00, 0xFF, 0x00);

        cb.Rectangle(300, 700, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        document.Add(new sharp.Annotation(300f, 700f, 400f, 800f, "http://ramcrishna.blogspot.com"));

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0x00, 0x00, 0xFF);

        cb.Rectangle(100, 500, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        document.Add(new sharp.Annotation("Annotation", "Its a Sample Annotation",100f, 500f, 200f, 600f));

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0xFF, 0x00, 0x00);

        cb.Rectangle(200, 500, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        document.Add(new sharp.Annotation(200f, 500f, 300f, 600f, "http://ramcrishna.blogspot.com"));

        cb.SetRGBColorStroke(0x00, 0xFF, 0x00);

        cb.Rectangle(300, 500, 100, 100);

        cb.Stroke();

        document.Add(new sharp.Annotation(300f, 500f, 400f, 600f, "http://ramcrishna.blogspot.com"));

        document.Close();

Creating Headers & Footers

 // Creating Headers & Footer

        sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Header.pdf";

        PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        sharp.HeaderFooter hf = new sharp.HeaderFooter(new sharp.Phrase("Header Text"), false);

        document.Header = hf;

        sharp.HeaderFooter foot = new sharp.HeaderFooter(new sharp.Phrase("Footer Text"), false);

        document.Footer = foot;

        document.Open();

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Page 1"));

        document.NewPage();

        document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Page 2"));

        document.Close();

Creating Tables

 // Creating tables

        sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Tables.pdf";

        PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        // Static Table with 2 rows and 2 columns

        sharp.Table tbl = new sharp.Table(2,2);

        tbl.Cellpadding = 3;

        tbl.Cellspacing = 1;

        tbl.BorderColor = new sharp.Color(0, 0, 255);

        tbl.AddCell("Col1");

        tbl.AddCell("Col2");

        tbl.AddCell("Col3");

        tbl.AddCell("Col4");

        document.Add(tbl);

        //Dynamic table from Dataset

        document.NewPage();

        DataTable dt = new DataTable();

        DataColumn dtcol;

        DataRow dr;

        dtcol = new DataColumn("UserName");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dtcol = new DataColumn("FName");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dtcol = new DataColumn("LName");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dtcol = new DataColumn("City");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dtcol = new DataColumn("Email");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dtcol = new DataColumn("Mobile");

        dt.Columns.Add(dtcol);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Ram";

        dr["FName"] = "Ram";

        dr["LName"] = "Krishna ";

        dr["City"] = "Hyderabad";

        dr["Email"] = "n.ramakrishna27@gmail.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "123456";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Naveen";

        dr["FName"] = "Naveen";

        dr["LName"] = "Reddy";

        dr["City"] = "Sec-Bad";

        dr["Email"] = "naveen@yahoo.co.in";

        dr["Mobile"] = "4210";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Raj";

        dr["FName"] = "Raja";

        dr["LName"] = "Shekar";

        dr["City"] = "Banglore";

        dr["Email"] = "raj4u@yahoo.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "01200";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Suresh";

        dr["FName"] = "Suresh";

        dr["LName"] = "Kumar";

        dr["City"] = "Chennai";

        dr["Email"] = "suri@hotmail.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "10120";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Ravi";

        dr["FName"] = "Ravi";

        dr["LName"] = "Kumar";

        dr["City"] = "Vizag";

        dr["Email"] = "ravi@gmail.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "1234";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Shaik";

        dr["FName"] = "Shaik";

        dr["LName"] = "Khan";

        dr["City"] = "Vijayawada";

        dr["Email"] = "shaik@rediff.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "1234";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Kiran";

        dr["FName"] = "Kiran";

        dr["LName"] = "Kumar";

        dr["City"] = "Hyderabad";

        dr["Email"] = "kiran@yahoo.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "12453";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Santu";

        dr["FName"] = "Santhosh";

        dr["LName"] = "Reddy";

        dr["City"] = "Hyderabad";

        dr["Email"] = "santu@yahoo.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "123";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Ashfak";

        dr["FName"] = "Ashfak";

        dr["LName"] = "Khan";

        dr["City"] = "Hyderabad";

        dr["Email"] = "ash@yahoo.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "123";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        dr = dt.NewRow();

        dr["UserName"] = "Sajju";

        dr["FName"] = "Sajju";

        dr["LName"] = "MD";

        dr["City"] = "Hyderabad";

        dr["Email"] = "sajju@gmail.com";

        dr["Mobile"] = "123";

        dt.Rows.Add(dr);

        int rowcount, coloumscount;

        rowcount = dt.Rows.Count;

        coloumscount = dt.Columns.Count;

        PdfPTable pdftbl = new PdfPTable(coloumscount);

        pdftbl.DefaultCell.Padding = 3;

        float[] headerwidths = { 9, 9, 8, 10, 12, 8 };

        pdftbl.SetWidths(headerwidths);

        pdftbl.WidthPercentage = 100;

        pdftbl.DefaultCell.BorderWidth = 2;

        pdftbl.DefaultCell.HorizontalAlignment = sharp.Element.ALIGN_CENTER;

        pdftbl.AddCell("UserName");

        pdftbl.AddCell("FName");

        pdftbl.AddCell("LName");

        pdftbl.AddCell("City");

        pdftbl.AddCell("Email");

        pdftbl.AddCell("Mobile");

        pdftbl.HeaderRows = 1;

        pdftbl.DefaultCell.BorderWidth = 1;

        int max = dt.Rows.Count;

        for (int row = 1,j=1 ; row < rowcount j<max; row++,j++)

        {

            if (j % 2 == 1)

            {

                pdftbl.DefaultCell.GrayFill = 0.9f;

            }

            for (int colm = 0; colm < coloumscount; colm++)

            {

                pdftbl.AddCell(dt.Rows[row - 1][colm].ToString());

            }

            if (j % 2 == 1)

            {

                pdftbl.DefaultCell.GrayFill = 0.4f;

            }

        }

        document.Add(pdftbl);

        document.Close();

PDF with Image

 // Creating Images And water Marks

        sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Images.pdf";

        PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        //Adding  Images 

        string imgpath = Server.MapPath("images") + "\\" + "img1.jpg";

        sharp.Image img = sharp.Image.GetInstance(imgpath);

        img.ScalePercent(50);

        document.Add(img);

        document.Close();

Creating Password to PDF

 sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document();

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "Password.pdf";

       PdfWriter pd =  PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

       pd.SetEncryption(PdfWriter.STRENGTH128BITS, "userpass", "password", PdfWriter.AllowPrinting  PdfWriter.AllowCopy);

       document.Open();

       document.Add(new sharp.Paragraph("Congrats, You can access this file now."));

       document.Close();

Creating BarCodes in PDF

sharp.Document document = new sharp.Document(sharp.PageSize.A4, 50, 50, 50, 50);

        string path = Server.MapPath(".") + "\\" + "d.pdf";

        PdfWriter pd = PdfWriter.GetInstance(document, new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create));

        document.Open();

        PdfContentByte cb = pd.DirectContent;

        sharp.pdf.Barcode39 code39 = new sharp.pdf.Barcode39();

        code39.Code = "CODE39-1234567890";

        code39.StartStopText = false;

        sharp.Image image39 = code39.CreateImageWithBarcode(cb, null, null);

        sharp.pdf.Barcode39 code39ext = new sharp.pdf.Barcode39();

        code39ext.Code = "The willows.";

        code39ext.StartStopText = false;

        code39ext.Extended = true;

        sharp.Image image39ext = code39ext.CreateImageWithBarcode(cb, null, null);

        sharp.pdf.Barcode128 code128 = new sharp.pdf.Barcode128();

        code128.Code = "1Z234786 hello";

        sharp.Image image128 = code128.CreateImageWithBarcode(cb, null, null);

        sharp.pdf.BarcodeEAN codeEAN = new sharp.pdf.BarcodeEAN();

        codeEAN.CodeType = BarcodeEAN.EAN13;

        codeEAN.Code = "9780201615883";

        sharp.Image imageEAN = codeEAN.CreateImageWithBarcode(cb, null, null);

        PdfPTable table = new PdfPTable(2);

        table.WidthPercentage = 100;

        table.DefaultCell.Border = sharp.Rectangle.NO_BORDER;

        table.DefaultCell.HorizontalAlignment = sharp.Element.ALIGN_CENTER;

        table.DefaultCell.VerticalAlignment = sharp.Element.ALIGN_MIDDLE;

        table.DefaultCell.FixedHeight = 70;

        table.AddCell("CODE 39");

        table.AddCell(new sharp.Phrase(new sharp.Chunk(image39, 0, 0)));

        table.AddCell("CODE 39 EXTENDED");

        table.AddCell(new sharp.Phrase(new sharp.Chunk(image39ext, 0, 0)));

        table.AddCell("CODE 128");

        table.AddCell(new sharp.Phrase(new sharp.Chunk(image128, 0, 0)));

        table.AddCell("CODE EAN");

        table.AddCell(new sharp.Phrase(new sharp.Chunk(imageEAN, 0, 0)));

    document.Add(table);

    document.Close();

You Can Find more samples here http://itextsharp.sourceforge.net/tutorial/ch01.html
Download Complete Application of Above Examples: Click Here

What are the Good Qualities of a Developer??

2008-10-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

A developer doesn’t becomes a good developer simply by using a particular programming language.
The rapid development environments made this industry evolve faster then anything other I know today. This has positive and negative outcomes. Today’s developers can choose from a rich variety of programming languages, development tools and platforms, but it’s a lot harder to set up a secure, scalable environment. Hardware and software are getting more complex every day, it’s much harder to learn about new technologies today then it was yesterday.
Here are some qualities…

Languages and Tools:
The first skill any developer needs to have is ability to work with programming languages and the main tools that are used with them. These could include build tools, IDEs, web frameworks, messaging APIs.

Programming Paradigm:
Having a good understanding of object orientation which is vital for writing maintainable code with imperative languages. An understanding of ways to approach different problems you might encounter in enterprise development by knowing different patterns and when to apply them is also useful.

Domain Specific Knowledge:
Specific knowledge about the domain is vital for writing a system which is closely linked to the problems it is trying to solve.

Although a lot of this knowledge is acquired by the Business Analyst on the project if Developers can gain it too then conversations with users will be much easier to deal with as amongst other things the terminology they use will make sense.

People Skills:
One of the most important skills in software development is the ability to work effectively with other people - fellow developers, Quality/Business Analysts, clients, users, the list is endless. If you can do this effectively then you go a long way to ensuring your success.

Problem Solving:
The ability to solve problems that don't have an obvious solution is key in software. Coding wise it could be debugging a class-path issue when deploying your application to JBoss or finding a tricky bug that a test reveals.

Good Communication skills:
In the software world, people usually define good communication skills as fluency in a spoken language. That's not really what it is. It is how effectively you are able to communicate with others. As a 'good' developer, you should be able to express yourself well, listen well, as well as manage the communication process well.

Read Books:
Read plenty of them to get a good idea of different technologies. Reading books gives you quick and handy insight into a technology. You should choose books that are usually written by known professionals who recommend best practices and different methods of solving a business problem using the technology. During the course of time, you will learn to develop your own methods. Who knows you may one day write a book!!

Practice, Practice and Practice:
A lot of developers having good amount of theoretical knowledge. They read a lot of books and technical material. However when it comes to applying that knowledge, they take a back foot. That is because they do not practice. Efficiency and effectiveness in your work can only be attained if you practice code. The only way you can make a good developer of yourself is to practice, and then practice some more.

Follow Patterns and Best Practices :
Patterns & practices reflect technical guidance, technical problem domain and engineering practices based on real-world experiences. The process to learn it is gradual, but once done; it can save you a lot of time and efforts and enable you to work smartly. Follow a Code Design Guideline. Always use a code analysis tools that will evaluate and analyze your code.

Discussion/Newsgroup:
Participating in communities develops the quality of leadership and contribution, both ingredients of success. Having participated in a good technical discussion on the community leaves you with a feeling of self-satisfaction. It also increases your knowledge, as you find smart people who can validate your solutions, as you validate theirs. It also teaches you to appreciate suggestions. Do not forget to 'pat someone on the back' if he/her has made a positive contribution. Believe me it makes all the difference.

Knowledge of Networking and Databases:
People may contradict this point, but a good developer should know the basics of networking and databases. Almost all the solutions that we create, involve interactions with networks and databases. Having knowledge of these two, helps you write better code and saves you on a lot of time too.

Blog/ Write Articles:
How many of us can remember everything? I cannot. So I document them. It helps me to reference stuff when I need them. Over and above, it also helps me get some good feedback from readers and shows me multiple approaches to do the same stuff. I have received a lot of feedback about my work, some good and some not so good. However, I do validate them and learn from this process. It develops the developer in you.

KISS:
Hey its not about that KISS ur thinking its a Keep Implementations/Approaches Short and Simple. Do not over complicate things by using jargons, which people find it hard to understand. The key is to simplify your designs and avoid over-engineering things.

Think as a Tester:
Developers and Testers; two sets of people from different camps, ready to take on each other. I have observed that the intersection of the two produces good results. It does not harm taking off the developer's hat for some time and putting on the tester's hat. In fact, in the long run it helps you reduce bugs/defects in your code. You develop a mindset of about breaking your code, when you are creating one.

Consistency is the name of the game:
Do you hop jobs too often or are bitten by the 'salary' bug? If yes, then it’s time for you to sit down, relax and plan. Invest time in thinking and let your decisions not be spontaneous. To move ahead, you need a solid foundation and that comes with consistency.

Attend technology seminars and events:
If there is one hosted in your city, make sure you take out time to attend one. Most of them are free and provide a valuable source of information about new technologies.

Jack of all or Master of One?:
Well that's a difficult one to answer. In today's scenario, you have to master more than one technology. Practically it is quite difficult to do so, but the good ones do it. However the key is adaptability over here. If you are good at any one technology and confident in it, given an opportunity, it would be easier for to relate to a new technology in a short period of time. Try it out as it enables you to compare technologies and make decisions, once you have worked with them.

Stop complaining :
Did the software fail or are the testers giving you a tough time by finding a lot of bugs? A natural tendency for a lot of developers is to react and then overreact in such situations. While the reaction is natural, it may not be desirable. Analyze why the software failed or why was the bug reported. It is going to be a learning experience and will help you in your future projects.

At the end, just remember that you are not going to remain a programmer for ever. So once you are satisfied and get a feeling that you have proven yourself as a good programmer, it’s time to re-program yourself. Expand your interests. Development is just a part of the process. Understanding the users and business is in itself an art, one should aim for and should master over a period of time.

Source:I have collected Information from various blogs and articles which Inspired me a lot.