Asp.net resources - prevent error on page when resource reference is invalid

Question

Hi, I'm using resources like this; " runat="server" />

Resources are maintained in a database and resourcefiles are generated when new translations are added. Sometimes bad references to keys happens. This results in error on the whole page.

How can I prevent the whole page from crashing when a resource does not exist? I just want a tiny error message where the resource lacks, like "Not found: Users.DetailsUserHeadline".

I also want to dynamically retrieve resources from code behind, by defining the key as a string "Users.DetailsUserHeadline" without any erros.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

If you want to use the ResourceKey instead if the resource is not found, just modify the method which is used to get the resource. It should look like:

public class ResourceManager
{
   public static string GetResource(string key)
   {
      string val = TryGet(key);
      if (string.IsNullorEmpty(val)) val = key;
      return val;
      //or you don't use a TryGet method
      //try
      //{
      //   val = GetTheResource(key);
      //}
      //catch (ResourceNotFoundException e)
      //{
      //   val = key;
      //}
   }
}

If you want to show a prompt that the resource is not found to users, you need to write your own exception like:

public class ResourceNotFoundException : Exception
{
   // define the properties you want to get
}

And use throw new ResourceNotFoundException() when you try to get the resource. In your UI part you can catch the exception and show something to users.