WPF: How to reuse controls when ObservableCollection is concrete?

Question

I have a object that inherits from TabItem. I have a bunch of Database objects that will reuse the same code so I wanted only one TabItem class and then use DataTemplates to control how each object gets presented.

Problem is that the TabItem shows a collection of Objects and ObservableCollection is concrete.

I've pondered a few solutions but none of them work. Seems like I will have to create one class for each object type even when they will all be the same (except for ObservableCollection having different types). That's not very DRY.

I can't make a UserControl generic, I can't let the UserControl constructor take in a generic class ( unless I define the Type wihc I don't wan't to do). I guess creating a base UserControl class and then inheriting that will have to do. Does it inherit the XAML code as well or will I have to rely on styles and templates?

Am I missing something?

Answer 1

Look into using DataTemplateSelector to provide flexibily in how you present your data in WPF.

Here are three sites that helped me:

• Data Templating Overview

• How to use DataTemplateSelector to alter views of objects in a ListBox

• WPF Tutorial - How To Use A DataTemplateSelector