TCollection of Datasets

Why not base your TDataSets on a TObjectList instead.
I find them much easier to work with, and also the freeing up of objects is all done for you if you let the object list own them.

that I think it's pretty easy though I am not trying it.. yet :)

replace

    property Items[Index: Integer]: TDataSetItem read GetItem write SetItem; default;
  end;

with

  published
    property Items[Index: Integer]: TDataSetItem read GetItem write SetItem; default;
  end;

;-)

MikeLittleWood:

SOrry, Can't do that....I need the property to be accessible via object inspector (for adding datasets)


Ciuly:

Published property "ITEMS' cannot be of type Array



Any more suggestions!

well... in order to persist it, you need a publish property. at least that is what I understood. I looked at TMemo for example which also has a list of lines. if you look at it, the publcished property is of type TStrings which has no published properties but the lines are still persisted.

Ill have to do some digging to see exactly what gets persisted, but of course the help file will be the start.

I'll get back to you in a few hours hopefully with a viable solution.

just got back and as first thing, tooik this for a ride to see what exactly is not happening. so I installed the component, made a test app, droped a tcopier on teh form and an adoquery and added an item to the datasets and set it to the adoquery and saved.

result:

--------
  object Copier1: TCopier
    Left = 104
    Top = 88
    Width = 23
    Height = 22
    Datasets = <
      item
        DataSet = ADOQuery1
      end>
  end
  object ADOQuery1: TADOQuery
    Parameters = <>
    Left = 240
    Top = 96
  end
------

seems to me that it is working just fine. what is it the non-persist issue you experienced?

Really, I can get the same results as you. BUT.....I get access errors when I close the app or delphi.

Just to be sure thre was nothing else cause the problem.

I created a 2nd version using the code i posted on this thread.  I still get the same thing.

Here is the new unit i created and tested.



unit Copier2;

interface

uses
  SysUtils, Classes, DB;

type

  TCopier2 = class;

  TDataSetItem = class(TCollectionItem)
  private
    fDataSet: TDataSet;
    procedure SetDataSet(Value: TDataSet);
  protected
    function GetDisplayName : String; override;
  public
    procedure Assign(Source: TPersistent); override;
    destructor Destroy;override;
    constructor Create(Collection: TCollection); override;
  published
    property DataSet: TDataSet read fDataSet write SetDataSet;
  end;

  TDataSets = class(TCollection)
  private
    fCopier : TCopier2;
    function GetItem(Index: Integer): TDataSetItem;
    procedure SetItem(Index: Integer; Value: TDataSetItem);
  protected
    function GetOwner : TPersistent; override;
  public
    constructor Create(Copier : TCopier2);
    function Add : TDataSetItem;
    function Insert(Index: Integer): TDataSetItem;
    property Items[Index: Integer]: TDataSetItem read GetItem write SetItem; default;
  end;


  TCopier2 = class(TComponent)
  private
    { Private declarations }
    fDataSets: TDataSets;
    procedure SetDataSets(Value: TDataSets);
  protected
    { Protected declarations }
  public
    { Public declarations }
  published
    { Published declarations }
   constructor Create(AOwner: TComponent);override;
   destructor Destroy;override;
   property Datasets: TDataSets read fDataSets write SetDataSets;
  end;

procedure Register;

implementation


procedure TDataSetItem.SetDataSet(Value: TDataSet);
begin
 if fDataSet <> Value then
  FDataSet := Value;
end;

function TDataSetItem.GetDisplayName: String;
begin
  Result := Format('Item %d',[Index]);
end;

procedure TDataSetItem.Assign(Source: TPersistent);
begin
  if Source is TDataSetItem then
   DataSet:= TDataSetItem(Source).DataSet
  else
  inherited; //raises an exception
end;

constructor TDataSetItem.Create(Collection: TCollection);
begin
 inherited Create(Collection);
 fDataSet:= TDataSet.Create(nil);
end;

destructor TDataSetItem.Destroy;
begin
 fDataSet.Free;
 inherited Destroy;
end;

constructor TDataSets.Create(Copier: TCopier2);
begin
  inherited Create(TDataSetItem);
  fCopier := Copier;
end;

function TDataSets.Add: TDataSetItem;
begin
  Result := TDataSetItem(inherited Add);
end;

function TDataSets.GetItem(Index: Integer): TDataSetItem;
begin
  Result := TDataSetItem(inherited GetItem(Index));
end;

function TDataSets.GetOwner: TPersistent;
begin
  Result := fCopier;
end;

function TDataSets.Insert(Index: Integer): TDataSetItem;
begin
  Result := TDataSetItem(inherited Insert(Index));
end;

procedure TDataSets.SetItem(Index: Integer; Value: TDataSetItem);
begin
  inherited SetItem(Index, Value);
end;

procedure TCopier2.SetDataSets(Value: TDataSets);
begin
 fDataSets.Assign(Value);
end;

constructor TCopier2.Create(AOwner: TComponent);
begin
 inherited Create(AOwner);
 fDataSets := TDataSets.Create(Self);
end;

destructor TCopier2.Destroy;
begin
 fDataSets.Free;
 inherited Destroy;
end;

procedure Register;
begin
 RegisterComponents('Custom', [TCopier2]);
end;

end.



I will post the code on DelphiPages as well and see what experts there get for issues

Try this.

Create a new application. (NOt the one you currently tested it with) and drop a component on the form. Then a drop a  TDataset (Table, query, etc) on the form. Next, add a Datatset to the components Datasets property.


Do not save!

run the application

then close the app.


SHane

Nope, I done it on two separate machines.... one mine, one a coworkers...and get the same exact results...

I had to go to a TStringList instead, so im closing this question. Since you (Ciuly) have been so persistant in helping me, i will award 500 points to you

Thanks for your help!