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codebehind best practices

Hi,

I've got a set of 3 aspx pages that all follow a certain template. They all contain a repeater, dropdownlist and 4 navigation buttons. I'm using the same codebhind for all 3 pages to handle click events and bind the data in the Page_Load. However, on some pages, I need aditional coding in the Page_Load. If I explicitly include a Page_Load in a <script runat="server"></script> block on this page, it overrides the Page_Load that is contained in the codebhind, so I'm forced to duplicate the Page_Load code in the codebehind and add the extra code required for this specific page... What can I do to prevent duplicating the data? Also, is it possible to have multiple files for the codebehind? Keep in mind I want to follow best practices...

Thanks,

Trevor

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AerosSaga

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mmarinov

Hi trevorhartman,

first of all it is best to use only one file - not 3
one of the best practise is not to duplicate - code, controls - if you can modify them
so in your case you can use only one page and fr the aditional coding to use user control

the aditional coding will be in the page_load of the page ( aspx file ), and the page_load of the user control is executed after the page_load of the aspx file is finished

B..M

trevorhartman

ASKER

Aeros:

Thanks for the tip. Is there any way to avoid duplicating the code int he page load? I'll show you what i'm doing. Here is the generic Page_Load that I'm using for all three pages:

            if (!IsPostBack)
            {
                  ProductTypes.DataSource = CCMTEES.Products.GetAllCategories();
                  ProductTypes.DataBind();
                  ProductTypes.Items.Insert(0,"");

                  ClientList.DataSource = CCMTEES.Client.GetCcmteesClients();
                  ClientList.DataBind();
            }

then, for another page, I have to also include the following in my page load:

            // populate the countries
            billCountry.DataSource = CCMTEES.ShoppingCart.GetCountryCodes();
            billCountry.DataBind();
            shipCountry.DataSource = CCMTEES.ShoppingCart.GetCountryCodes();
            shipCountry.DataBind();

            // set the default selected value to US
            billCountry.Items.FindByValue("US").Selected = true;
            shipCountry.Items.FindByValue("US").Selected = true;

now, do I just have to duplicate the code into multiple Page_Loads in seperate classes, or is there a better way?

mmarinov:

You would recommend making my entire page a user control? Here is my content template:
http://www.ccmtees.com/new/contentTemplate.aspx

If you click on the buttons you can see that the other pages look the same and just have different content in the center section. What do you think?

Thanks - Trevor

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mmarinov

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trevorhartman

ASKER

Ok... I see. I have studied a little on user controls but never actually made one. With user controls, can you encapsulate what would normally be inside a page_load inside the usercontrol instead? Like:

OnUserControlLoaded=BindMyData

...

void BindMyData(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
//bind some data..
}

?

If so, this would be a great solution.

-Trevor

AerosSaga

agreed classes are for operations, your rendering controls which is definately a job for .ascx !

mmarinov

Yes Trevor - this is the scenario and the solution

B..M

trevorhartman

ASKER

excellent. time to research ascx... thanks guys

-Trevor