How to learn in and out about a control (Such as datagridview, textbox)?

Question

I've been in the software development industry for more than 6 years and I still feel that I dont have 100% knowledge about the features of the controls (it may be any language) I've used. I always try to read the documentation available about that control everywhere but I still find new things about it every now and then.

I always wonder how to go about learning any control to use its all features. Sometimes it is like you have to use multiple features of a control to achieve a functionality which you want.

For example; I take Microsoft windows forms controls such as datagridview, it has long list of features and many of them I still dont know and still struggling with this control get some functionality which I require. Going through all the events, methods, properties of that control is not a easy job too.

So, what is your way of learning about a control?

After using SO for sometime I found a way to learn about a control. Use the tag for that control to search all questions related to it and you will find hell lot of information and various ways to achieve different functionality.

What about you? I hope putting your way here may help somebody in this community in someway.

Answer 1

Read books!

They usually cover all aspects of functionality under discussion. More books you, the more you know about internals - a three sixty degrees of knowledge. Initially, you wouldnt be able to absorb, but eventually you'd find yourself overwhelming with knowledge. Make programs, write articles, blogs with/about technologies that attracts you.

To know about something, you have to be that something. Remember the Matrix? ... and eventually you'd see internals behind every question that is being asked here in SO.

Answer 2

Maybe this is a bit more philosophic than you intended, but personally I try not to get stuck in a certain way of doing things. I'm new to programming and already find it very easy to stick to a solution, no matter how cumbersome it might be, just because it worked once. Or, avoid a more demanding solution than the one I normally use, even though I know I won't be able to avoid it forever. By forcing myself to try out different solutions I've come across limitations and solutions that I know I will benefit from knowing on an other occasion. I think it's important never to stop 'playing'. Never to stop looking for new questions rather than trying to find all the answers. Can you ever achieve 100 % knowledge anyway? Isn't it 'better' to aim at a being 100 % free of fear?