ASP.NET 2.0 - scaffolding a database table for webforms

views:

110

answers:

ASP.NET 2.0 - scaffolding a database table for webforms

Can you recommend a tool that can analyze a SQL database table, read the table columns, and populate an .aspx page with appropriate controls (i.e. textboxes with matching labels)?

See this demo of ComponentOne InputPanel for WinForms for the functionality desired.

Are there any built-in tools for ASP.NET 2.0 WebForms that can help build a scaffold page for any given database table or entity? Are there any free components out there to help achieve this goal?

+2 A:

Have you considered using an ASP.NET Dynamic Data page for this?

Here's a Getting Started video. It focuses on using VS 2008.

If you can't directly use the output of Dynamic Data due to a v2.0 limitation, you could perhaps fire up a new DD project in 3.5, and have the scaffold built for you. Then copy-paste the resultant markup, and paste into your 2.0 page. That would get you a head-start on not having to create all those asp:textbox and asp:dropdownlist controls yourself. You'd then have to wire up the DataSources as you see fit.

p.campbell 2010-05-05 20:49:16

I know I can use a FormView but let's say my table has 50 columns, I have to add 50 textboxes and then add data binding to the 50 textboxes matching them up with the columns.With the tool I am searching for, I would be able to click once and add 50 textboxes, already databound to the matching columns.

Francis Huang 2010-05-05 21:10:29

@Francis - Dynamic Data allows just that.

p.campbell 2010-05-05 21:14:02

I see, sorry I missed it before. Dynamic Data looks great, unfortunately we are on .net 2.0 and it looks like Dynamic Data is available for .net 3.5SP1.

Francis Huang 2010-05-05 22:29:14

@pcampbell - I decided to try out Dynamic Data - can you clarify this part: "copy-paste the resultant markup". Do you mean the HTML source code that's generated? I'm trying to make the Dynamic Data framework generate an aspx page that I can then edit. For example, move around the controls, add additional labels, change controls to radio button or dropdown if necessary, add child grids.

Francis Huang 2010-05-06 20:39:53

ansaurus

tags:

views:

answers:

ASP.NET 2.0 - scaffolding a database table for webforms

related questions