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Dependency Property vs Attached Property - WPF

Hi,

I have the following statement:

Attached properties differ from normal dependency properties in that they are not wrapped in CLR properties (i.e. standard .NET properties).

Dependency Properties Example:

<Canvas>
<Rectangle Height="72" Width="131" Canvas.Left="74" Canvas.Top="77" />
</Canvas>

Attached Properties Example:

<DockPanel>
<Button x:Name="Button1" DockPanel.Dock="Left" />
</DockPanel>

Can you please let me know what is the difference between these two ? It looks like both are same but i am missing something !

Thanks

wdosanjos

The basic difference is that Attached Properties are dependency properties defined in a parent control and attached to a child control. In your sample Canvas.Left is a property of Canvas, but it's attached to Rectangle.

More here:

Dependency Properties Overview
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms752914.aspx

Attached Properties Overview
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms749011.aspx

milani_lucie

ASKER

wdosanjos:

Can you please define in simple terms:

What are Attched Properties ? What are Dependency Properties ? As per your definition, Attached Properties are nothing but Dependency Properties but attached to child controls. Am i correct ?

Can be Dependency Properties exist without attaching to child controls ?

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

wdosanjos

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