My Learning Path in Software Development

Free web template - Visit card

2011-04-01T09:22:00.001+08:00

I just found this web template pretty nice, it is suitable for those who just want a simple introduction about themselves.
And, it's free!

This is the main page.

When clicking on a link in the main page, a picture gallery will be shown.

A contact form can also be added.

Check this out at Just Free Templates.

Page_Load event triggered twice

2011-03-11T22:03:00.002+08:00

Problem:
There is a webpage in my current project, where the Page_Load event was always triggered twice. I realized that the problem occurred because of binding data to a ASP.NET ListView.

Solution:
After researching online for some time only I found that it's because of any Image control that does not set the ImageUrl. I am binding an image to the ListView, and I did not set any ImageUrl.
I just need to set the ImageUrl, that's all, and it solved my problem.

Reference: How Firefox Handles Empty SRC tags

My first php file

2011-03-09T11:24:00.001+08:00

Finally, I've created my first php file - "Hello World"

The file has to be located in C:\wamp\www.
To browse the file, just type this in the address bar: localhost:81/testphp.php

Create database in MySQL

2011-03-09T11:14:00.000+08:00

After setting up the WAMP Server, I need to figure out how to create a database in MySQL. Though it's not as easy as SQL Server management, it's still straight forward.

1. Start WAMP Server.
2. Go to phpMyAdmin.
(As I have changed the port number, so I have to manually type this in browser address bar: localhost:81/phpmyadmin)
3. The first page allows you to create a new database.
Just enter the database name, then click on Create button.

4. Next, we'll need to create a table.
Just enter the table name, and specify the number of fields.

5. Then, we'll define the fields.

6. To insert records, click on the Insert tab, and enter the values.

7. Finally, if you want to view the records, go to Browse tab.

That's all! Here, I have successfully created the database. It's time for me to start learning php. ^_^

To start learning php: Set up WAMP Server

2011-03-09T10:50:00.001+08:00

I just received a freelance job, which is to design a website template. All the functionalities should be okay, just that I need to create a login function for the website, which I can't use ASP.NET C# (the language I am familiar with), and I need to learn php for this.

To start learning php, my friend recommended me to install XAMPP. But, I couldn't successfully install the Apache service. Hence, I go for WAMP Server.

Installing WAMP Server is easier, but I still failed to browse the "localhost" page. After searching around, I found that it's actually the port 80 has been used by other applications, though I have stopped some of the SQL Server service. Finally I have found a way to solve this: Change the port number!

To change the port number:
1. Go to C:\wamp\bin\apache\Apachex.x.xx\conf
2. Open the httpd.conf file
3. Look for "Listen 80" and change the number to something else, e.g. 81
It's just this easy.

The trouble is that, every time when I need to go localhost, I have to manually type this in the address bar: localhost:81
It's okay for me, as long as it works! ^_^

Building Magento Themes

2010-09-15T03:44:00.003+08:00

I've got a freelance task, which is building Magento themes.

Magento is totally a stranger to me. After searching for the information only I found out, it's actually an open source ecommerce platform, where you can download and customize for your own online store.

Actually, there is a demand of Magento designers and developers. The designers will design the store interface and create a PSD (Photoshop Data) file, and the developers will convert it to a web page theme (with HTML, CSS, and PHP). I'm supposed to play the developer role.

I was given a sample work to learn, and I realized that it's much more complicated than I expected. There are many things that require me to learn, such as setting up Magento platform for testing, converting PSD to HTML/CSS, building Magento themes, etc.

I have finally found two ways to set up Magento platform for testing:
1. Get a free Magento hosting at MagentoPolis.
2. Install Magento on WAMP, so that I can run Apache, MySQL and PHP in my Windows XP. (~~But I've problem setting this up now~~)
Updated: Found the solution on this: I just needed to turn off my IIS service. ^_^

I've read some tutorials about converting PSD to HTML/CSS, and now I'm going to start learning how to build a Magento theme. Then, I'll work on the sample PSD file given by the client.

I'll continue to share more information about Magento with you. Do share with me if you have any experiences with Magento too. ^_^

Updated on 09 Mar 2011:
I have given up the Magento theme building task, as it's not as easy as I thought. I still have a lot more to learn in order to work on the task. Hence, I'd better concentrate on website development where I am more familiar and more interested in.

Payment for my first freelance project

2010-09-02T21:57:00.001+08:00

I've just received a full payment for my first freelance project, which is a simple face recognition program.

I'm very happy to complete the program, and also finally received the full payment. Though it took me quite some time to get the payment and it's not a big amount of money, I didn't spend much time in the program, so I think it's still quite worth my time doing this. Also, it's a totally new technology to me -- Face Recognition.

I'll share some information about this face recognition technology with you all when I am free. ^_^

Install IIS without Windows Installation CD

2010-01-15T11:41:00.000+08:00

I just found out that we can actually install the Internet Information Services (IIS) without using the Windows Installation CD, as the required files are already located in our local computer.

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click on Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.
4. Select the Internet Information Services (IIS) option.

5. Click on Next button to start installing IIS.
6. You will be prompted to insert the Windows XP Professional CD-ROM.
7. Click on OK button to select the location for the file needed.
8. Browse to C:\WINDOWS\I386 and select the file ADMXPROX.DL_.

9. Click on Open button and then OK button. The installation process will then start.

Copy Text to Clipboard in VB6

2010-01-15T09:51:00.001+08:00

I thought it will be quite difficult to copy text to Clipboard in VB6, after I found this out. There is actually a built-in class called Clipboard which lets us easily copy and paste text.

Copy Text to Clipboard:

Private Sub CopyTextToClipboard(ByVal TextToCopy As String)

Clipboard.Clear

Clipboard.SetText TextToCopy

End Sub

Paste Text from Clipboard:

Private Function PasteTextFromClipboard() As String

PasteTextFromClipboard = Clipboard.GetText

End Function

It's just that easy! ^_^

Firebug - web development tool

2009-11-05T14:20:00.000+08:00

It's a very useful web development tool that can help us to learn the HTML, CSS, or even javascript when we browse the net. Not only that we can read the codes, but also edit, debug and monitor them live. Just click on the item on the webpage, then the codes will be revealed. There, you can also edit the codes and see the changes.

The tool also provides network monitoring feature. It helps us to break down the files, so that we can speed up the web page loading.

By the way, it's an add-on to Firefox. You can just install it, and you can open the Firebug as a bar at the bottom of your browser, or even in a separate window.

Click here to download the free firebug.

How to check the target’s range name?

2009-10-23T12:55:00.001+08:00

I am working on the Excel file, for show and hide certain ranges based on the selection. Say if user selects “Yes”, then I show certain range. Otherwise, I’ll hide that range.

I do the coding in the Worksheet_Change event. I check if the target is the relevant cell/range, then only I perform the function accordingly.

     Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)

        ' Option 1 Selected

        If Target.Address = "$I$21" Then SelectOption1

    End Sub

But, this is hardcoded, whenever the cell address has been changed, say insert a new row or remove a row, then I21 is no longer the cell I’m referring.

I just found a way to solve this “hardcode” problem – Define range name. But how can I check if the range name is my defined one? As I’ve tried Target.Address and Target.Name, both return me the cell address.

Finally, I’ve found this:

    If ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("SheetName").Range(Target.Address).Name.Name = "DefinedRangeName" Then SelectOption1

Range(Target.Address).Name.Name will return the defined range name. By using this, I do not need to hardcode the cell address anymore, and it saves lots of maintenance work in future. ^_^

Unhide hidden sheets in Excel

2009-10-21T11:44:00.001+08:00

I am doing an Excel task using Macro. I hide most of the worksheets at the start of the Excel file, until user did some selections to show/hide certain worksheets.

Now, I am asked to allow the users to unhide the hidden worksheets in the Excel file. I have searched around in the Excel file, but failed to get so. Then I realized, I have to change how I hide the worksheet in Macro codes.

This is how I used to hide worksheet:

     ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(sheetIndex).Visible = xlSheetVeryHidden

Just change xlSheetVeryHidden to xlSheetHidden will do.

Using xlSheetVeryHidden can only unhide certain worksheets in Macro.

To unhide hidden worksheets:

1. Go to Format menu.

2. Click on Sheet, then Unhide.

3. You’ll get a list of hidden worksheets, just select the worksheet name and click on OK button to unhide it.

Convert Column Number to Letter and Vice Versa in Excel

2009-10-21T11:16:00.001+08:00

Sometimes when I built the application for Excel, I’ll need to convert the Column number to Letter (say, 3 is C) or vice versa.

I’ve been searching around, and finally found the following methods which are quite useful and simple. They cater for column letter like “AB” too.

Function: Convert column number to letter ( 2 –> “B”)

        1: '------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

       2: '   Description:    To convert the column number to letter(e.g. 2 --> "B") 

       3: '   Parameters:     The column number (Long) 

       4: '   Return:         The column letter (String) 

       5: '------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

       6: Private Function m_ConvertColumnNumberToLetter(ByVal ColumnNumber As Long) As String 

       7:  

       8:     Dim s0 As String, s1 As String, S2 As String, s3 As String 

       9:     If ColumnNumber > 18278 Then s0 = Chr((Int((ColumnNumber - 18279) / 17576) Mod 26) + 65) 

      10:     If ColumnNumber > 702 Then s1 = Chr((Int((ColumnNumber - 703) / 676) Mod 26) + 65) 

      11:     If ColumnNumber > 26 Then S2 = Chr(m_ConvertColumnNumberToLetter & (Int((ColumnNumber - 27) / 26)) Mod 26 + 65) 

      12:     

      13:     s3 = Chr(((ColumnNumber - 1) Mod 26) + 65) 

      14:     m_ConvertColumnNumberToLetter = s0 & s1 & S2 & s3 

      15:  

      16: End Function

Function: Convert column letter to number (“B” –> 2)

       1: '------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

       2: '   Description:    To convert the column number to letter(e.g. "B" --> 2) 

       3: '   Parameters:     The column letter (String) 

       4: '   Return:         The column number (Long) 

       5: '------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

       6: Private Function m_ConvertColumnLetterToNumber(ByVal ColumnLetter As String) As Long 

       7:  

       8:     Dim intCount                As Integer 

       9:     Dim intColumnLetterLength   As Integer 

      10:     m_ConvertColumnLetterToNumber = 0: intColumnLetterLength = Len(ColumnLetter) 

      11:     For intCount = 1 To intColumnLetterLength 

      12:         m_ConvertColumnLetterToNumber = m_ConvertColumnLetterToNumber * 26 + (Asc(UCase(Mid(ColumnLetter, intCount, 1))) - 64) 

      13:     Next intCount 

      14:  

      15: End Function

How to reset AutoNumber in Microsoft Access table?

2008-11-20T09:08:00.002+08:00

After testing my own application, now it's time for deploying it.

Well, there are many junk records being added in the table, and now it's time to reset everything.

The AutoNumber field value in Access does not automatically reset when you delete the rows in the table. Finally, I've found the solution here.

Steps:

1. Delete the AutoNumber field from the table.

2. Click Queries on the left pane, and double-click Create query in Design view on the right pane.

3. In the Show Table dialog box, select the table. Then click Add to add the table and Close the dialog box.

4. Double-click all the fields in the table to select the fields.

5. Select the required Sort order, if there's any.

6. Click Make-Table Query on the Query menu. Type the new table name in the Table Name text box and then click OK.

7. Click Run on the Query menu.

8. A dialog box appears with the text that follows: You are about to append # row(s) into a new table. Click Yes to insert the rows.

9. Click Close on the File menu. Click No to close the Make-Table Query window to discard saving the query.

10. Click Tables on the left pane. Right-click on the new table and then click Design view.

11. In the Design view for the table, add an AutoNumber field with the same field name that you deleted in step 1. Then save the table.

12. Close the Design view window.

13. Delete the original table, and rename new table name to the original table name.

Now the AutoNumber has started from 1.

For more information, please refer to Microsoft Help and Support.

To lock your computer

2008-11-18T11:22:00.004+08:00

My colleague just sent us this email, regarding how to lock the computer.

I think it's quite useful if you are using the computer in the office, and always want to lock it when you are away.

The easiest shortcut: Press Windows logo key + L

Or, you can create a shortcut on your desktop.

1. Right-click the desktop.

2. Point to New, and then click Shortcut.

3. The Create Shortcut Wizard opens.

In the text box, type the following:

rundll32.exe user32.dll,LockWorkStation

4. Click Next.

5. Enter a name for the shortcut. e.g. "Lock Workstation"

6. Click Finish.

You can also change the shortcut's icon. e.g. padlock icon in shell32.dll

To change the icon:

1. Right click the shortcut and then select Properties.

2. Click the Shortcut tab, and then click the Change Icon button.

3. In the Look for icons in this file text box, type: Shell32.dll

4. Click OK.

5. Select one of the icons from the list and then click OK.

This is the shortcut I've created on my desktop:

StrConv function - to capitalize the first character in the sentence

2008-11-11T22:17:00.002+08:00

Reference: Chennai IQ

I wanted to write a function to capitalize the first character of every word. For example, I want to change "cell address" to "Cell Address". Before I started the function, I was thinking perhaps there already has a easy way to do that. Luckily, I did a search in the Google and found this: StrConv

This is the function I've written:

Public Function CapitalizeFirstCharacter(ByVal Value As String) As String

' Make the whole string lower case, then only capitalize the first character

CapitalizeFirstCharacter = StrConv(LCase$(Value), vbProperCase)

End Function

Syntax:

StrConv (String, conversion[, LCID])

String - required. String expression to be converted.

conversion - required. Integer. The sum of values specifying the type of conversion to perform.

LCID - optional. The LocaleID, if different than the system LocaleID. (default: system LocaleID)

conversion argument:

Constants	Value	Description
vbUpperCase	1	Convert to uppercase
vbLowerCase	2	Convert to lowercase
vbProperCase	3	Convert the first letter of every word in string to uppercase

There are also vbWide, where values are 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 to convert the string with specific usage. (Please refer to the reference page)

New line character in Excel cell

2008-11-10T20:02:00.003+08:00

This is really simple, but I didn't know how to do it until just now.

Everytime when I press the "Enter" key, I'll be brought to the next cell of the Excel.

Until just now, I found out actually there is a way to go to the next line in the same cell.

This is pretty simple, just press Alt & Enter key, that's it! :D

It's called Line Feed character.

In VB, it can be done by calling Chr(10) or vbLf.

e.g.

"a) Sentence 1" & Chr(10) & "b) Sentence 2" or

"a) Sentence 1" & vbLf & "b) Sentence 2" or

Information extracted from AllExperts site.

Understanding the differences between Cache, Session and ViewState

2008-07-25T11:25:00.002+08:00

URL: http://www.progtalk.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=62

My colleague sent this article to us recently. After I've read it, I found it quite useful and easy to understand, just wanna share it out.

In the article, it introduces these 3 types of storage methods: Cache, Session, ViewState.

To be honest, I only used session before. :p
It's time for me to learn how to use the storage methods probably, to make the web application better.

These are the notes I've taken:
----------------------------------------

Cache
- memory.
- allow you to store difficult and complex constructed data which will can be reused.
- is available to be accessed from global/application level where one reference to memory is updated. Each request will use the same cache for different users.

Session
- a period of time that is shared between the web application and the user.
- Each user that is using the web application has their own session.
- The Session variables will be cleared by the application which can clear it, as well as through the timeout property in the web config file.
- Session variables will use different session variables for each different user.

ViewState
- hidden data that is kept by ASP.NET pages.
- track the changes to a web site during post backs.
- All server controls contain a view state.
[EnableViewState property - enable/disable if the control properties will be held in hidden fields.]
- Having a large ViewState will cause a page to download slowly from the users side.
- When a user clicks on a button and a post back occurs, all the view state information has to be posted back to the server which causes a slower request.
- ViewState should be limited to what is needed.
- Data can also be written into the ViewState.
- The ViewState only persists for the life cycle of the page.
- If the page redirects to another page, or even to itself, the ViewState will be reset.
- ViewState should be used to hold small amonts of data, which will be only used on the current page.

Show message box in ASP.NET

2008-04-09T15:03:00.002+08:00

I've written a simple function which uses JavaScript.

private void ShowMessageBox(string Message)
{
    Label lblMessageBox = new Label();

    lblMessageBox.Text =
        "<script language='javascript'>" + Environment.NewLine +
        "window.alert('" + Message + "')</script>";

    Page.Controls.Add(lblMessageBox);

}

To call out the message box, just write this:

ShowMessageBox("Hello world!");

The problem with this is that I can't customize the message box. I can only pass in the message as parameter, but not changing the title, the button text or image.

Add javascript dropdownlist in your blog

2008-04-02T14:39:00.001+08:00

I was looking for a way to add a dropdownlist in my blog, finally I've found this. It's simple and it's what I want.

I do not know why the above dropdownlist is not working, but when you copy these codes to your blog, it should be able to work.

Just copy the following codes, and add to your blog. In Blogger, Add these codes in HTML/Javascript element, then it works fine.

<!--BEGIN dropdownlist--><script language="JavaScript">
function selectOption(selObj){
window.open(selObj.options[selObj.selectedIndex].value);}</script>

<select style="background: #c6e2ff; color: #000000" onchange="selectOption(this)"> 
<option value="">- Please select -</option>
<option value="http://www.google.com">Google</option>
<option value="http://www.yahoo.com">Yahoo</option>
<option value="http://www.msn.com">MSN</option></select>
<!--END dropdownlist-->

I got this script from this blog. Thanks!

Set security access to folder

2008-03-24T11:00:00.000+08:00

I'm currently doing a small function, where I need to create folder dynamically, if the folder does not exist.

Creating folder is easy, but I also need to set the security access. Finally, I've found the way of doing this.

I have created a simple class to perform this Directory-related tasks, named "Folder".

Firstly, we need to include System.IO (for Directory class) & System.Security.AccessControl (for FileSystemRights & AccessControlType enums).

public static bool Exists(string folderPath)
    {
        return Directory.Exists(folderPath);
    }

    public static void Create(string folderPath)
    {
        Directory.CreateDirectory(folderPath);
    }

    public static void Delete(string folderPath)
    {
        Directory.Delete(folderPath, true);
    }

    public static void AddSecurity(string folderPath,
        string userAccount,
        FileSystemRights fileSystemRights,
        AccessControlType controlType)
    {
        DirectoryInfo folderInfo = new DirectoryInfo(folderPath);
        
        DirectorySecurity folderSecurity = folderInfo.GetAccessControl();

        folderSecurity.AddAccessRule(
            new FileSystemAccessRule(userAccount, fileSystemRights, controlType));

        folderInfo.SetAccessControl(folderSecurity);

    }

    public static void RemoveSecurity(string folderPath,
        string userAccount,
        FileSystemRights fileSystemRights,
        AccessControlType controlType)
    {
        DirectoryInfo folderInfo = new DirectoryInfo(folderPath);

        DirectorySecurity folderSecurity = folderInfo.GetAccessControl();

        folderSecurity.RemoveAccessRule(
            new FileSystemAccessRule(userAccount, fileSystemRights, controlType));

        folderInfo.SetAccessControl(folderSecurity);

    }

    public static string[] GetListOfFileSystemRights()
    {
        return Enum.GetNames(typeof(FileSystemRights));
    }

    public static string[] GetListOfAccessControlTypes()
    {
        return Enum.GetNames(typeof(AccessControlType));
    }

Function: If the folder does not exist, create it and set security access.

if (Folder.Exists(folderPath) == false)
{
    Folder.Create(folderPath);
    Folder.AddSecurity(folderPath,"MY\\CHONGLK", FileSystemRights.Modify,AccessControlType.Allow);
}

To remove the security access for certain rights, use the RemoveSecurity method:

Folder.RemoveSecurity(folderPath,"MY\\CHONGLK", FileSystemRights.Modify,AccessControlType.Allow);

The last two functions is to allow users to bind the list of enum values to the UI control.

//List all FileSystemRights values in dropdownlist
systemRightsDropDownList.DataSource = Folder.GetListOfFileSystemRights();
systemRightsDropDownList.DataBind();

//List all AccessControlTypes values in dropdownlist
controlTypeDropDownList.DataSource = Folder.GetListOfAccessControlTypes();
controlTypeDropDownList.DataBind();

It's quite simple, but I didn't know these methods before this. At least, I learnt something new.

List out all enum values

2008-03-21T18:15:00.002+08:00

I just found out the way to list out all the enum values. It's indeed very simple!

For example, I want to list out all the enum values of FileAccess.

string[] enumList = Enum.GetNames(typeof(FileAccess));
DropDownList1.DataSource = enumList;
DropDownList1.DataBind();

I also found out how to convert the string representation value to the enum value too.

FileAccess fAccess = (FileAccess)Enum.Parse(typeof(FileAccess), DropDownList1.SelectedValue);

that's it. Isn't it simple?

MCPD: Learning Plan for Exam 70-536

2008-03-21T10:57:00.002+08:00

URL: http://learning.microsoft.com/manager/LearningPlanV2.aspx?resourceId=%7ba3e18fcd-60ed-489b-94d6-4c30e1bf9542%7d&clang=en-US

You may also sign in to Micrsoft Learning to look for any learning resources, including the learning plan. You also also track your learning here.

In this learning plan, there are recommended learning resources, where you can follow them step by step until you reach the stage of registering for the exam.
I plan to follow this learning plan to start my learning process for Exam 70-536, then I'll see what extra resources I need when time goes by.

MCPD: Preparation Guide for Exam 70-536

2008-03-21T10:49:00.002+08:00

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-536.mspx

This will be my first paper:
Exam 70-536 [Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation]

From the link above, you'll find these information:
- Exam news
- Exam topics covered
- Audience profile
- Credit toward certification
- Code languages
- Prepartion tools and resources
- Skills measured

I guess the most important is the skills measured section. You'll be told in detailed what knowledge are required in order to take the exam. You can use the long list to measure your knowledge.

I just jot down the keywords for exam topics covered in this paper:
1) system types & collections
2) service processes, threading, application domains
3) embedding configuration, diagnostic, management, and installation features
4) serialization & I/O
5) security
6) interoperability, reflection, mailing funcitonality
7) globalization, drawing and text manipulation

MCPD: Exam Question Types

2008-03-21T09:58:00.003+08:00

Information extracted from: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/policies/innovations.mspx

I've found this site when I was looking for the information regarding MCPD.
There are several types of exam questions. It may be good if we get ourselves familiar with these types:

1. Hot area questions
This kind of question asks you to indicate the correct answer by selecting one or more elements within a graphic.

2. Active screen questions
This kind of question asks you to configure a dialog box by changing one or more elements.

3. Drag-and-drop quetsions
This kind of question asks you to drag source objects to appropriate targets within a work area.

4. Build list and reorder questions
This kind of question asks you to indicate the correct answer by building an answer list.
In a build list and reorder question, you need to build a list by dragging the appropriate source objects to the answer list and then placing them in the correct order based on criteria defined in the question.

5. Create a tree questions
This kind of question asks you to create a tree structure.
You indicate the correct answer by dragging source nodes to the correct locations in the answer tree.
Nodes consist of text and a small icon.

6. Testlet exam format

7. Windows 2000 simulation questions
This kind of question asks you to indicate the correct answer by performing specific tasks such as configuring and installing network adapters or drivers, configuring and controlling access to files, and managing hardware devices. (This seems to be more applicable for System engineering exams)

You may download the MCP Exam Demos too, then you'll understand better what the aboved question types mean. It's quite fun to run through the exam demo. ^_^

There is an "Instructions" button to tell you what type of question it is, and how you should respond. A "Calculator" button is provided too.

MCPD - Start the Journey

2008-03-19T09:44:00.005+08:00

I have been thinking of taking this certification - MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) for quite long. Well, actually I have been thinking since MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer), then it changed to MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer). Finally, there came a new generation again.
Finally, I've made a move - we've bought several books yesterday.
Perhaps this time, I'm really going to pursue this cert, because the company is sponsoring. haha~~

My boss has been asking us to look for external courses, and I think pursuing MCPD is a good idea. We've calculated the price of the books we are going to purchase, altogether 7 books, for 3 papers, cost us RM1600. It'll be a burden for me to spend this amount of money just on the books only. As the courses are too expensive, say RM2400 for 3 day course, that is RM800 for a day, RM100 for an hour. We've decided to study by ourselves, and we'll also see if there are any useful or interesting courses, then we can subscribe for them too. Perhaps we'll go for those topic-oriented courses, instead of going for the certication ones.

I wish I can spend one hour per day to study on this. Perhaps reading the books, doing some research online, taking some sample tests. See how it goes.

The papers I'm required to take are as follow:
1) Exam 70-536: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
2) Exam 70-528: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-Based Client Development
3) Exam 70-547: Designing and Developing Web Applications by using Microsoft .NET Framework

My first paper will be Application Development Foundation. I need to go and check out any resources for this MCPD, and hope to know anyone who's also taking or already taken this cert. ^_^

More to find out soon...... I gotta keep myself motivated. haha~~

Reference:
* MCPD Official website

Set GridView Header Font Style in CSS

2008-02-18T11:04:00.000+08:00

I have defined my GridView header style in CSS. Because I've set my GridView to be sortable, so the header texts will be links, and it'll follow the style of Links as defined.

I'd like to change the header text color to fit to header row color, and finally I've found the solution.

Define the CSS like this:

tr.OrangeGridViewHeader, 
tr.OrangeGridViewHeader a:visited, 
tr.OrangeGridViewHeader a:link
{
    background-color:#feaa66;
    font-family:Verdana;
    font-weight: bold;
    color:#000;
    text-decoration:none;
}

tr.OrangeGridViewHeader a:hover
{
    background-color:#feaa66;
    font-family:Verdana;
    font-weight: bold;
    color:#000;
    text-decoration:underline;
}

Then set the HeaderStyle's CssClass to OrangeGridViewHeader. It's done!

Formatting link style using CSS

2008-01-08T11:00:00.000+08:00

If you do not define the link style, by default, the link will always be underlined.

We can use CSS to format the style.

There are 4 selectors for links:

a:link	defines the style for normal unvisited links.
a:visited	defines the style for visited links.
a:active	defines the style for active links. A link becomes active once you click on it.
a:hover	defines the style for hovered links. A link is hovered when the mouse moves over it.

These are some of the styles I use:

	Solid underlined link
	No underlined link
	Dotted underlined link

I want my links to be underlined when they are at normal state, visited state and also active stated, but no underlined when mouse over it:

a:link, a:visited, a:active
{
   color: #2666a6;
   text-decoration:underline;
}

a:hover
{
   color:#2666a6;
   text-decoration: none;
}

If you want to have the dotted underlined links, you may declare it like this.

As there's no text-decoration as dotted underlined, so we make use of the bottom border.

a:link, a:visited, a:active
{
   color: #2666a6;
   text-decoration:none;
   border-bottom:dotted 1px #2666a6;
}

a:hover
{
   color:#2666a6;
   text-decoration: none;
   border-bottom:none;
}

Have fun!!

References:

* EchoEcho.Com - Tutorial - CSS Links

Convert HTML color to System.Drawing.Color

2007-12-27T09:55:00.000+08:00

It's very simple to convert a HTML color (Hexadecimal color) to System.Drawing.Color.

Just ask the System.Drawing.ColorTranslator class to do so.

Color myColor = System.Drawing.ColorTranslator.FromHtml("#660000");

Remember to include the leading '#' sign.

You may also pass in color names instead of the hexadecimal color.

Same, if you want to convert the System.Drawing.Color to hexadecimal string.

string htmlColor = System.Drawing.ColorTranslator.ToHtml(System.Drawing.Color.Navy);

FusionChart Free

2007-12-20T12:00:00.000+08:00

URL: http://www.fusioncharts.com/free/Default.asp

Would you like to have nice animated flash chart displayed in your website?
I was looking for charting tool, and found this -- FusionCharts Free. It's a flash charting component and the good news is It's FREE.

It just came out with a newer version, FusionCharts Free V2. If I'm not mistaken, the version 1 was only free for personal use, so I couldn't recomment it to my company, unless we pay for it. Just now, I checked through the License Agreement again, it seems like it's now free for indivisual/research/commercial user. It's completely free to OEM and distributed with the open or closed source application. Of course, there are also some rules you need to follow. Well, it's really a good news to me, and I can propose this to my company, coz I really like the charts, they look nice!

* FusionCharts Free can be used for free if you are a individual/research/commercial user.
* FusionCharts Free can be distributed for free with your free or commercial softwares, irrespective of whether they're open source or closed source.

It's using XML data, so it's quite easy for everyone to embed this chart in your application using your own language. There are bar charts, line charts, pie charts, area charts and etc. In the new version, they even include Gantt chart and Funnel chart. You may view the types of chart in the Chart Gallery.

Funnel Chart & Gantt Chart

You can download the FusionChart Free V2 here: Download

Remember to read the License Agreement / Terms of Use

I'll post some prototypes after I've embedded this chart in my application.

CSS Button Designer

2007-12-06T09:10:00.001+08:00

URL: http://www.pagetutor.com/button_designer/index.html

I plan to build some CSS buttons by myself, instead of using Image Buttons in ASP.NET, especially for the rollover effect.

I've found this useful tool to design a CSS button, provided by PageTutor.com.

It's very simple for you to generate your own button. You just need to define the button style, you can even add the background image for the button. Then, you can click on Mouseover tab to define the mouseover effect. You'll get the CSS & javascripts codes, plus the button codes in the Code tab. It's just that simple and friendly to build a CSS button. Isn't it cool? This saved me a lot of hassles to study and build my own buttons.

You can also go to the Samples tab to look for some already defined buttons, and apply them in your applications. You may make some amendments on the samples to fit your applications too. Enjoy!

Creating ASP.NET Custom Controls with Style

2007-12-04T11:56:00.001+08:00

Reference: CoDe Magazine - Creating ASP.NET Custom Controls with Style

My Notes:

* A control's Render method will render a control in the last step of a control's life cycle, just before the control is disposed.

* The only parameter for Render method is an HtmlTextWriter object.

* HtmlTextWriter object writes HTML to the output stream. It provides a set of Write methods.

By default, ASP.NET renders HTML 3.2 for all non-Microsoft browsers that does support HTML 4.0 and CSS properly.

* It's better practice to use CSS.

<p style="color:red">My Text</p>

is better than

<p><font color="red">My Text</font></p>

Create different HTML for different browsers:

* To check the type of requesting browser: use HttpBrowserCapabilities

HttpBrowserCapabilities client = Page.Request.Browser;
if (client.Browser == "IE")
{
   if (client.MajorVersion > 6)
   {
       writer.Write("You are using IE 7.0 or above.");
   }
   else
   {
       writer.Write("You are using IE 6.0 or below.");
   }
}
else
{
   writer.Write("You are not using IE");
}

* Besides checking the browser type, the alternative way is to check the type of HtmlTextWriter passed to the Render method. It can be either HtmlTextWriter or Html32TextWriter.

* HtmlTextWriter: indicates that a browser supports HTML 4.0 with CSS.

* Html32TextWriter: indicates the browser only supports HTML 3.2 without CSS.

Downside: All non-Microsoft browsers, including Netscape versions that do support CSS, pass Html32TextWriter to the Render method.

if (writer.GetType().ToString() == "HtmlTextWriter")
{
    //Render CSS
}
else
{
    //Render HTML 3.2
}

#METHOD 1: Basic HTML output

writer.Write("<H2>" + _message + "</H2>");

#METHOD 2: Create HTML with Write & WriteLine

writer.WriteLine("<p>");
//Indent HTML by inserting a Tab
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.DefaultTabString);
//Make text red with Font tag
writer.Write("<font color=\"red\">");
writer.Write(_message);
writer.WriteLine("</font>");
writer.WriteLine("</p>");

#METHOD 3: Using Writer Helper methods to create HTML

writer.WriteFullBeginTag("p");
//Indent HTML by inserting a Tab
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.DefaultTabString);
//Make text blue with Font tag
writer.WriteBeginTag("font");
writer.WriteAttribute("color", "blue");
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.TagRightChar);
writer.Write(_message);
writer.WriteEndTag("font");
writer.WriteEndTag("p");

#METHOD 4: Writing Styles

//Write begin tag without closing >
writer.WriteBeginTag("p");
//Add a style
writer.Write(" style");
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.EqualsDoubleQuoteString);
writer.WriteStyleAttribute("color", "green");
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.DoubleQuoteChar);
//Output the '>' for the 'p' tag
writer.Write(HtmlTextWriter.TagRightChar);
writer.Write(_message);
//Write end tag
writer.WriteEndTag("p");

How to stop getting "Preparing to install" Windows Installer message when you start Visual Basic 6.0?

2007-11-25T01:25:00.001+08:00

Ever got this message "Preparing to install... " when you are trying to launch your Visual Basic 6?

I had this problem when I have multiple user accounts in my machine, I'll get this message as VB6 was installed using another user account. There was a workaround for this, if you know the username and password for the user account who installed VB6.

1) Just right-click on the VB6 program, select "Run as..."

2) Enter the username & password who installed the VB6.

But it's kinda frustrating, coz everytime you need to run as another user for using VB6.

Finally, my colleague has taught me a way to fix this.

1) Go to C:\Windows\System32 folder, and look for msi.dll.

2) Rename the msi.dll to any other name.

3) Go to C:\Windows\System32\dllcache folder, and rename msi.dll too.

If you didn't do this step, the msi.dll in System32 folder will automatically be recreated.

If you couldn't find this dllcache folder, you may need to change a property in the Folder options.

In Windows Explorer --> Go to Tools menu --> Select Folder Options --> Click on View tab --> Uncheck the option "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)".

4) Launch VB6, and now you are able to launch VB6 without getting the error message.

5) Rename the file to msi.dll in System32 folder and dllcache folder.

Done! ^_^

ModalPopup Extender

2007-11-20T18:50:00.001+08:00

I always think it's really nice for some web sites to popup a dialog, while the background color fades out. It's actually quite easy to make it happen with ASP.NET Ajax Control Extender now. ^_^

Copy these classes to your css file:

.modalBackground
{
    background-color:Gray;
    filter:alpha(opacity=70);
    opacity:0.7;
}

.modalPopup
{
    background-color:#FFFFDD;
    border-width:3px;
    border-style:solid;
    border-color:Gray;
    padding:3px;
    width:250px;
}

During design time, add the following controls to the web page.

In the HTML page, add these attributes to the ModalPopupExtender:

<ajaxToolkit:ModalPopupExtender 
    id="ModalPopupExtender2" 
    runat="server" 
    OnOkScript="fnClickOK()" 
    CancelControlID="btnCancel1" 
    OkControlID="btnOK1" 
    DropShadow="true" 
    BackgroundCssClass="modalBackground" 
    PopupControlID="Panel2" 
    TargetControlID="btnClickToOpen">

For the popup Panel, define these attributes:

<asp:Panel 
    id="Panel2" 
    runat="server" 
    style="display: none" 
    CssClass="modalPopup">

Create this function in javascript, if you want to use the server-side postback, otherwise you can just create a javascript function where you will perform something when the user clicks on OK button in the popup dialog.

function fnClickOK(sender, e)
{
   __doPostBack(sender,e);
}

Set the OnClientClick event for the "Click here!" button and "OK" button in the Page_Load event.

protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (!IsPostBack)
        {
            btnOk1.OnClientClick = String.Format("fnClickOK('{0}','{1}')", btnOk1.UniqueID, "");
            btnClickToOpen.OnClientClick = String.Format("fnClickOK('{0}','{1}')", btnClickToOpen.UniqueID, "");
        }
    }

Enter the codes in the btnOk1_Click & btnClickToOpen_Click event.

Call the ModalPopupExtender Show() method to popup the modal dialog.

protected void btnOk1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    lblName.Text = "Hello, " + txtName.Text +
        ". You have selected " + DropDownList1.Text;
}

protected void btnClickToOpen_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    DropDownList1.Items.Clear();
    DropDownList1.Items.Add("Red");
    DropDownList1.Items.Add("Purple");
    DropDownList1.Items.Add("Black");
    ModalPopupExtender2.Show();
}

* If you want to refer to an external javascript file, you just need to add this line of code in the HTML file:

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="AjaxPrototype.js"></script>

Collapsible Panel

2007-11-20T17:04:00.001+08:00

I've just learnt how to do this collapsible panel with ASP.NET Ajax Control Extender, it's actually quite simple. ^_^

At the beginning, create these controls on the screen:

Control	Control Name
ScriptManager	ScriptManager1
CollapsiblePanelExtender	CollapsiblePanelExtender1
Panel	TitlePanel
Panel	ContentPanel
Image	Image1
Label	Label1

Define these CSS classes:

.collapsePanel
{
    width:640px;
    height:0px;
    background-color:White;
    overflow:hidden;
}

.collapsePanelHeader
{
    width:640px;
    height:20px;
    background-color:Silver;
    font-weight:bold;
    float:left;
    padding:5px;
    cursor:pointer;
    vertical-align:middle;
}

Remove the width and height for the TitlePanel and ContentPanel, and set the CssClass attribute:

TitlePanel	collapsePanelHeader
ContentPanel	collapsePanel

In the HTML page, add these attributes to the CollapsiblePanelExtender:

<ajaxToolkit:CollapsiblePanelExtender ID="CollapsiblePanelExtender1" 
        runat="server" TargetControlID="ContentPanel" 
        ExpandControlID="TitlePanel" 
        CollapseControlID="TitlePanel"
        Collapsed="true" 
        TextLabelID="Label1" 
        ExpandedText="Hide Details..."  
        CollapsedText="Show Details..." 
        ImageControlID="Image1" 
        ExpandedImage="Images/Expanded.gif" CollapsedImage="Images/Collapsed.gif"
        SuppressPostBack="true">
    </ajaxToolkit:CollapsiblePanelExtender>

It's done.

ASP Spider - Free Web Hosting

2007-11-11T11:24:00.002+08:00

URL: http://www.aspspider.com/

This is a ASP.NET web hosting with SQL Server Express, FREE version.

I've registered to this web hosting when I started to learn ASP.NET, it was quite hard for me to find other free web hosting at that time.

At the beginning, you are given 10MB disk space, where you can increase the disk quota up to 200MB.

The registration was closed for quite some time, and I just found out it's open again now. For those who are interested in getting this free web hosting, you may click on this link: Register Now

[Updated on 26 April 2008]
I just checked out the site, and found out the site is going to stop offering the free ASP.NET web hosting services starting 1 May 2008. I have to look for other free ASP.NET web hosting sites. :p

Liquid page layout using CSS

2007-11-02T15:16:00.001+08:00

Reference to: MaxDesign - Liquid Layouts

I've been almost the whole week to do this simple task, to locate three buttons in the home page using CSS. I was using HTML table to organize the page layout, but found out using CSS makes the page load faster, thus I decided to learn CSS for my project. After about a week of research, finally I've found this, and it really saves me! This tutorial is very simple, you can just follow step by step and you'll get your page layout done.

There are some definitions regarding liquid layout and fixed-width layout, then you'll know which one you should be using.

Copy these to your css file:

   1: /* COLUMNS */

   2: #leftColumn

   3: {

   4: float: left;

   5: width: 30%;

   6: margin-left: 4%;

   7: text-align:center;

   8: display:inline;

   9: border:dotted 1px #ccc;

  10: }

11:

  12: #middleColumn

  13: {

  14: float: left;

  15: width: 30%;

  16: margin-left: 1%;

  17: text-align:center;

  18: border:dotted 1px #ccc;

  19: }

20:

  21: #rightColumn

  22: {

  23: float: left;

  24: width: 30%;

  25: margin-left: 1%;

  26: text-align:center;

  27: border:dotted 1px #ccc;

  28: }

29:

  30: #footer

  31: {

  32: clear: both;

  33: text-align:center;

  34: border:dotted 1px #ccc;

  35: margin-top:1em;

  36: }

37:

  38: #leftColumn p, #middleColumn p, #rightColumn p, #footer p

  39: {

  40: margin: 2em;

  41: }

Include these codes in your HTML file:

   1: <div id="leftColumn">

   2: <p><img src="Images/bluehouse01_large.gif"

   3: alt="Single Company Analysis" />

   4: <br />

   5: Option 1

   6: </p>

   7: </div>

8:

   9: <div id="middleColumn">

  10: <p><img src="Images/bluehouse02_large.gif"

  11: alt="Group Companies Analysis"/>

  12: <br />

  13: Option 2

  14: </p>

  15: </div>

16:

  17: <div id="rightColumn">

  18: <p><img src="Images/bluehouse03_large.gif"

  19: alt="Form C Data Search"/>

  20: <br />

  21: Option 3

  22: </p>

  23: </div>

24:

  25: <div id="footer">

  26: <p>You have selected option 1, and this will allow you to perform analysis for abc company.

  27: </p>

  28: </div>

Then you'll get the output.

Rounded corners using CSS

2007-11-02T14:52:00.001+08:00

Ever wonder how to make the rounded corners in your web site?

I've read about using images to make it, and some need javascripts. You can use ASP.NET AJAX tool for this rounded corners box. I just found this, where you don't need to use any images nor javascript, and it works.

Copy this to your css file. e.g. test.css

   1: /* ROUNDED CORNERS - Grey border */

   2: #xsnazzy h1, #xsnazzy h2, #xsnazzy p {margin:0 10px; letter-spacing:1px;}

   3: #xsnazzy h1 {font-size:2.5em; color:#fff;}

   4: #xsnazzy h2 {font-size:2em;color:#06a; border:0;}

   5: #xsnazzy p {padding-bottom:0.5em;}

   6: #xsnazzy h2 {padding-top:0.5em;}

   7: #xsnazzy {background: transparent; margin:1em;}

8:

   9: .xtop, .xbottom {display:block; background:transparent; font-size:1px;}

  10: .xb1, .xb2, .xb3, .xb4 {display:block; overflow:hidden;}

  11: .xb1, .xb2, .xb3 {height:1px;}

  12: .xb2, .xb3, .xb4 {border-left:1px solid #ccc; border-right:1px solid #ccc;}

  13: .xb1 {margin:0 5px; background:#ccc;}

  14: .xb2 {margin:0 3px; border-width:0 2px;}

  15: .xb3 {margin:0 2px;}

  16: .xb4 {height:2px; margin:0 1px;}

17:

  18: .xboxcontent

  19: {

  20:     display:block;

  21:     border:0 solid #ccc;

  22:     border-width:0 1px;

  23: }

Copy this to the HTML file:

   1: <div id="xsnazzy">

   2: <b class="xtop">

   3: <b class="xb1"></b><b class="xb2"></b><b class="xb3"></b><b class="xb4"></b>

   4: </b>

   5: <div class="xboxcontent">

   6: <p><h2>This is an example of rounded corner box without using images or javascript.</h2></p>

   7: </div>

   8: <b class="xbottom">

   9: <b class="xb4"></b><b class="xb3"></b><b class="xb2"></b><b class="xb1"></b>

  10: </b>

  11: </div>

In order to use the css file, you need to include this line of code in the head block.

   1: <head>

   2: <link href="Test.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

   3:     <title>Rounded Corners example</title>

   4: </head>

Then, you'll get the rounded corners box.

More information regarding the rounded corners:

* Snazzy Borders - This is where I got the codes for my example.

* Spiffy Corners - Another way to create anti-aliased corners without using images or javascript.

* CSS Rounded Corners 'Roundup' - A collection of techniques to create boxes with rounded corners using CSS. Here you'll find many different techniques.

* Nifty Corners - This technique creates rounded corners without images, but with javascript.

Useful links for CSS

2007-11-01T17:24:00.001+08:00

I just started to create my CSS file for my project, and just want to check out if there are any recommended ways of doing this right. I just did a simple search in code project site, and found a lot of related articles which are useful. (Well, more to read now....)

I'll add more to the list when I've found more information here.

1. Internet Explorer & CSS issues

2. Ten ways to speed up the download time of your web pages (some key points here, a must read article.)

3. Ten CSS tricks you may not know (There are some tricks here that you shouldn't miss too)

4. CSS Help Pile - A huge pile of CSS-related tips, tricks & resources.

5. 53 CSS-Techniques You Couldn't Live Without (Here, you can learn the specific technique that you want to use in your web site. Another Must Read article.)

6. Layout Gala: a collection of 40 CSS layouts - Here you'll get some reference CSS layout sites.

7. MaxDesign - Sample CSS Page Layouts (with step by step layout tutorial too)

8. CSSplay - There are some demos, menus, layouts, boxes examples.

HTML Dog

2007-10-31T19:22:00.001+08:00

URL: http://www.htmldog.com

When I was searching for CSS, and I came to this web site, where you get to learn about HTML & CSS here. If you wanna design your web site, you may learn the basics from here too.

There are some useful sections, including Tutorials, References, Articles and Examples.

I plan to start learning CSS from here, and wish I can design my web application to be better and faster performance with CSS. This is a new thing to me, and I hope I can complete these tutorials in two day time, with still doing some other tasks at work.

ASP.NET AJAX Roadmap

2007-10-24T18:05:00.001+08:00

URL: http://asp.net/AJAX/Documentation/Live/default.aspx

After looking around in the Internet, I was almost lost. There are tons of resources that are interesting and useful, but I don't know where to start. Moreover, time is short, I can't take my own sweet time to sit down and study from the beginning. I need some intensive course to let me start working on my current project. Many resources are not related to ASP.NET too. Though there are ASP.NET Ajax Learning Video, the videos are for the Ajax Controls, and there's no sound for the video clips, so I can only guess and watch the codes. That doesn't help much in the introduction and explanation. Moreover, I think it's time consuming to watch the video tutorials than only reading text. I also downloaded the Ajax Sample Applications, but I haven't find it useful to me, coz I need more explanation.

Finally, after two day searching around and reading, I've come to this site - Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX documentation. I guess this is where I should start and move on, at least I found an Ajax sample application that I can follow what it teaches me to do.

Well, it's time to stop wandering around and stick to this, and go! ^_^

Intro to Ajax

2007-10-24T11:44:00.001+08:00

Reference: Using Ajax for Web Application Development - What Businesses Need to Know

Ajax - Asynchronous JavaScript and XML
Ajax web programming enables a web application development team to create a sit that allows users to perform certain functions without the need for redrawing or reloading an entire screen.

Benefits:
1. It offers site developers an extra level of innovation that can make a site easier to use for all visitors.
2. When implemented correctly, it gives users the feeling that a web application is more responsive than a traditional web site.
3. It can allow a business to give its site new functionality and new services to be used by partners or clients.
4. It can give parity to a business.

Things to be careful:
1. This type of web programming can make a site more difficult for visitors to use.
The web is at its core a very user-friendly system, but Ajax can introduce new behaviors that people may not be ready for or may be confused by.
This can cause visitors to leave your site quickly, without actually performing the tasks.
2. Ajax programming can create a host of other problems with which businesses should be concerned.
3. Ajax can open up a webserver to have an increased attack surface.
This form of web programming unfortunately gives a hacker more ways to get into the server than there were before.
The solution to this is to make sure that the web application development team is more vigilant about security and testing, and to constantly keep watch on the activity occurring on the site.
4. Different browsers read Ajax differently, the web application development team will have to do additional testing for accessibility.

Use it with caution and with care! - this is the important note I've got from this article. ^_^

ASP.NET AJAX Video Learning

2007-09-26T12:09:00.001+08:00

URL: http://www.asp.net/learn/ajax-videos/

I'll take these as my coming lessons. Currently, there are 63 videos on different topics. I guess it's a good start to learn how to use ASP.NET AJAX.

Hopefully I will have persistence to learn all these video series this time. :p

ASP.NET AJAX is a set of technologies to add AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript And XML) support to ASP.NET.

MyExpenseTracker Installer

2007-09-26T11:41:00.001+08:00

Finally, I've compiled the setup file for MyExpenseTracker application. There are currently still a lot of issues that I'll need to fix later, or some features are not in yet. There are many things to learn for deployment phase too. I need to consider how to update the database for future version. :p

Feedback and suggestions are welcomed! ^_^

Downloads:
setup file: MyExpenseTracker BETA 1.0.0.zip (826.4KB)
source code (C#): MyExpenseTracker source code.zip (1.4MB)

After installation, you'll see this icon in your desktop.

Problems might be faced during installation:

1. If the program has been installed before, you'll get this error when you run the installation:

You have to go to Control Panel --> Add or Remove Programs to remove the program before you can install the new version.

2. You may get the following error during the remove program process, perhaps the database log file is in use.

Right click on your taskbar --> select "Task Manager" --> click on "Processes" tab --> look for "sqlservr.exe" and click on "End Process". Then you can continue to remove the program before installing the new version.

3. You may encounter this error when you start the program.

You need to go to your "C:\Program Files\MyExpenseTracker\Data" folder and delete the "MyExpenseTracker_log.LDF" file. Then you can run the program again.

MyExpenseTracker - Almost Done

2007-09-26T10:34:00.001+08:00

Finally, it's almost done! I've started this project since July, I thought it can be completed within one month, but... I just didn't really spend time doing it. Actually the core functions are there, just that I haven't really spend time fine tuning it, making the program more user friendly or nicer, and yeah, no error handling or input validation. haha~~ it's just very basic application now. At least, I can start using it to keep track of my expenses first. I really need to cut it off first, otherwise I'll be stuck here forever. haha~

Time to end this application, and move on to the next one now. Time to plan what's next. ^_^

Selecting Combobox item programmatically

2007-09-25T14:54:00.001+08:00

Scenario:

I have added items to my combobox using combobox.Items.Add(obj), but when I set combobox.SelectedValue = selectedId, I still get null value in combobox.SelectedValue, though I've set combobox.ValueMember.

Solution:

Finally, I've found that ValueMember is respected only in data binding case only, whereas DisplayMember works in both cases -- Databinding and normal item addition.

In order to use SelectedValue, we need to bind the datasource to the combobox. Otherwise, we can use the following method to select the combobox item:

cboCategory.SelectedIndex = cboCategory.FindString(category);

FindString only search for DisplayMember only, but not ValueMember.

I guess the better solution is to do a databinding, but at the moment, I'll just use this alternative way of selecting items.

MSDN Library - HTML and CSS Reference

2007-08-28T16:52:00.001+08:00

URL: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa155093.aspx

Here you can find the tutorials & reference for the web development HTML and CSS section.

* HTML and DHTML Overviews and Tutorial

* HTML and DHTML Reference [I guess I'll visit this site more often, here is where I found what javascript methods to use.]

* Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

* HTML Applications (HTA)

* Accessibility

* Technical Articles and Columns

Filter Access Records

2007-08-21T11:47:00.001+08:00

I just found out this filter option in Access database recently, it helped me a lot in doing my work, especially when I want to select a range of records.

This is my table records:

To filter the records, go to Records menu --> Filter --> Filter By Form.

Then key in what you want to search for, or select from the dropdownlist for the particular column(s), then right-click on the column header and select 'Apply Filter/Sort'.

The records will be shown:

If you want to perform advanced filter function, you may click on Records menu --> Filter --> Advanced Filter/Sort. The Filter window below will appear. Just define the filter criteria as below, and apply the filter/sort.

The records will be filtered:

This is a simple but useful feature in Microsoft Access. ^_^

Requirements Gathering Techniques

2007-08-02T15:49:00.001+08:00

Interviews

Cons: Predisposition, experience, understanding and bias of the person being interviewed influence the information obtained.

Solution: Use context-free questions to avoid prejudicing the response.

Note: Context-free question is question that does not suggest a particular response.

e.g. Who is the client for this system? What is the real reason for wanting to solve this problem? what environment is this product likely to encounter? What kind of product precision is required?

Document Analysis

All effective requirements elicitation involves some level of document analysis, such as business plans, market studies, contracts, requests for proposals, statements of work, existing guidelines, analyses of existing system, and procedures.

Improved requirements coverage results from identifying and consulting all likely sources of requirements.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming involves both idea generation and idea reduction.

Idea Generation: identify as many ideas as possible.

Idea Reduction: ranks the ideas into those considered most useful by the group.

Pros: it may come out the most creative or effective by combining seemingly unrelated ideas, it encourages original thinking and unusual ideas.

Requirements Workshops

Requirements Workshops are best facilitated by an outside expert and are typically short.

Benefits:

- workshop costs are often lower than are those for multiple interviews.

- they help to give structure to the requirements capture and analysis process.

- they are dynamic, interactive, and cooperative.

- they involve users and cut across organizational boundaries.

- they help to identify and prioritize needs and resolve contentious issues.

- when properly run, they help to manage user's expectations and attitude toward change.

A special category of requirements workshop: Joint Application Development (JAD) workshop.

JAD:

- a method for developing requirements through which customers, user representatives, and developers work together with a facilitator to produce a requirements specification that both sides support.

- an effective way to define user needs early.

Prototyping

- a technique for building a quick and rough version of a desired system or parts of that system.

- illustrates the capabilities of the system to users and designers.

- serves as a communications mechanism to allow reviewers to understand interactions with the system.

Use Cases

- A use case is a picture of actions a system performs, depicting the actors.

- It should be accompanied by a textual description and not be used in isolation of other requirements gathering techniques.

- Use cases and scenarios (descriptions of sequences of events) facilitate team communication. They provide a context for the requirements by expressing sequences of events and a common language for end users and the technical team.

Storyboards

- a storyboard is a set of drawings depicting a set of user activities that occur in an existing or envisioned system or capability.

- storyboards are a kind of paper prototyping.

- Customers, users or developers start by drawing pictures of the screens, dialogs, toolbars, and other elements they believe the software should provide.

- The group continues to evolve these until real requirements and details are worked out and agreed upon.

- Related technique: storytelling - the writing of vignettes to envision new products and services based on perceived user needs and the possibilities offered by emerging technologies.

There are some other techniques which I didn't take note here,such as Interfaces Analysis, Modeling, Performance and Capacity Analysis.

Common Requirements Errors

2007-08-02T11:30:00.001+08:00

I'm currently working out some templates to be used in our software development process, and I read this interesting study:

The common types of requirements errors:

49% -- incorrect assumptions

29% -- omitted requirements

13% -- inconsistent requirements

5% -- ambiguities

There are so many errors occurred just because of the incorrect assumptions!! It shows that we really shouldn't make assumptions. Whenever we are going to gather or analyze requirements, I guess it's good for us to remember these points. ^_^

Recommended Requirements Gathering Practices

2007-08-02T11:16:00.001+08:00

Extracted from: STSC (Software Technology Support Center) CrossTalk

1. Write and iterate a project vision and scope document.

2. Initiate a project glossary that provides definitions of words that are acceptable to and used by customers/users and the developers, and a list of acronyms to facilitate effective communication.

3. Evolve the real requirements via a "joint" customer/user and developer effort. Focus on product benefits (necessary requirements), not features. Address the minimum and highest priority requirements needed to meet real customer and user needs.

4. Document the rationale for each requirement (why it is needed).

5. Provide training for requirements analysts and selected customer/user representatives that explains the following:

- The role of the requirements analyst.

e.g. to evolve real requirements working with customers & users, not to invent requirements independently or to "gold plate".

- How to write good requirements.

- The types of requirements errors and how these can be reduced.

- The value of investing more in the requirements process.

- The project and/or organization's requirements process.

- Overview of the methods and techniques that will be used.

- How to use the project's automated requirements tool.

- The role of validation and verification during requirements definition.

6. Establish a mechanism to control changes to requirements and new requirements.

7. Prioritize the real requirements to determine those that should be met in the first release or product and those that can be addressed subsequently.

8. When the requirements are volatile (and perhaps even when they are not), consider an incremental development approach. This acknowledges that some of the requirements are "unknowable" until customers and users start using system.

9. Use peer reviews and inspections of all requirements work products.

10. Use an industry-strength automated requirements tool.

- Assign attributes to each requirement.

- Provide traceability.

- Maintain the history of each requirement.

11. Use requirements gathering techniques that are known, familiar, and proven in the organization such as requirements workshops, prototyping, and storyboards.

12. Provide members of the project team (including requirements analysts) who are domain/subject matter experts.

13. Evolve a project and organizational approach based on successful use of policy, process, methods, techniques and tools. Provide a mechanism such as working groups to share information and "best practices" among projects.

14. Establish a continuous improvement ethic, teamwork approach, and a quality culture.

15. Involve customers and users throughout the development effort.

16. Perform requirements validation and verification activities in the requirements gathering process to ensure that each requirement is testable.

Create Table using stored procedure

2007-08-02T00:43:00.001+08:00

My sis was asking me how to create a table using stored procedure, well, I think it's better just jot down some notes here, for my future reference too.

Here is an example:

CREATE PROCEDURE CreateTestTable

AS

CREATE TABLE [TestTable]

    [Id] int NOT NULL Primary key identity(1,1),

    [Description] varchar(7000),

    [TestDate] datetime,

    [Cost] money,

    [TestRole] char(4),

    [IsAdmin] bit

RETURN

* using brackets [] to embrace the table name or field name so that even reserved words have been used, the names are still allowed.

* the field name [Id] has been defined to be primary key and it's auto increment by 1, start from 1. (Null is not allowed for this column)

* the data type for boolean is "bit" here.

* the difference between using "char" & "varchar" is that, when you define the size for char, no matter how many characters have been stored, it'll use up all the space defined. But for "varchar", it'll allocate just the size enough to store the variables. For variable string, it's good to use "varchar" as the data type.

* The maximum size for varchar is 8000 characters.

* For Chinese characters, it's good to use "nvarchar" as the data type.

Well, I didn't really do a proper study on the notes above, these are told by my friends or from my experience. Hope they are not wrong information.

Create a Business Case

2007-08-01T12:25:00.001+08:00

Extracted from allPM.com

Successful project management: -

- deliver projects on time, within budget & to specification.

- deliver the business benefits to the customer.

Purpose of creating a Business Case for each project:

- To ensure projects consistently deliver the stated business benefits to the customers.

- To justify the initiation of the project and to clearly specify upfront, the business benefits to be delivered.

Create Business Case in 4 steps:

1) Identify the Business Problem

2) Identify the Alternative Solutions

3) Recommend a Preferred Solution

4) Describe the Implementation Approach

Step 1: Identify the Business Problem/Opportunity

* investigate that business problem before you attempt to find a solution to it.

1. Determine the root cause of the problem by analyzing the environment within it has arisen.

e.g. The root cause of a problem may be related to:

- changes to the business vision, strategy or objectives

- newly identified competing products or processes

- opportunities resulting from newly introduced technologies

- commercial trends that are driving business changes

- changes to legislative or other environmental factors

2. Once identified, describe the problem by

(a) listing the reasons why it has arisen,

(b) the impact it is having on the business and

Step 2: Identify the Alternative Solutions

* To ensure that you select the best solution available, complete the following steps:

(1) Identify the alternative solutions available

(2) Quantify the benefits of implementing each solution

(3) Forecast the costs of implementing each solution

(4) Assess the feasibility of implementing each solution

(5) Identify the risks and issues associated with each solution

Step 3: Recommend a Preferred Solution

(1) define a set of criteria upon which each solution will be assessed.

e.g. The criteria may be related to the solution; benefits, costs, feasibility and risk level.

(2) Identify a mechanism for scoring each alternative solution.

(3) Take each alternative solution and assign it a score based on its ability to meet the criteria set.

(4) Summarize the scores across all criteria, to identify the total score for each alternative solution.

The solution with the highest total score should become your preferred solution for implementation.

Step 4: Describe the Implementation Approach

* Convince the project sponsor that you have thought through the plan for implementation of that solution. -- describe in detail how the project will be initiated, planned, executed and closed effectively.

(1) Initiation: List the steps involved in initiating the project.

e.g. define Terms of Reference, recruit the team & establish a Project Office.

(2) Planning: Describe the steps you will take to plan the project in detail.

e.g. create a Project Plan, list the plans required to monitor and control project resources, finances, quality, risks, suppliers and communications.

(3) Execution: Outline the approach to be taken to build the physical project deliverables and gain the customer's acceptance for each deliverable produced.

(4) Closure: Identify the activities required to hand over the final solution to the customer, release staff, close the Project Office, and perform a Post Implementation Review of the project.

Store and Retrieve Application Settings

2007-07-24T11:31:00.001+08:00

I used to store some constant values or messages in Resource file for Web application. It seems a little bit different for Windows application, and I think using this application settings is the alternative.

To Store Settings:

1. Right click on the project file, and select "Properties".

2. Select "Settings" tab.

Here, I've added the connection string, where I select the type to be "(Connection String)". You can also specify the scope as Application or User.

To Retrieve Settings:

You can bind application settings to Windows Forms controls.

1. Select the control, expand the (Application Settings) property, then click on the (PropertyBinding) button to display the Application Settings dialog box below.

2. Select the property that you want to bind to, and select the application settings from the dropdownlist.

You can also select the control, expand the (Application Settings) property, only the bindable property will be shown. Just select the Application Setting that you want to bind from the dropdownlist.

To access the application settings programmatically:

MyExpenseTracker.Properties.Settings.Default.CONNECTIONSTRING

where MyExpenseTracker is the namespace.

OK, the 3 items for last week task have been done. Now, I need to work harder for this week's tasks.

The other 2 weekly Task for week 16/07/2007 - 22/07/2007:
* How to launch application in Visual Studio 2005?
* DataGridView Prototype

DataGridView prototype

2007-07-23T12:41:00.001+08:00

This is the first time I created Windows application using Visual Studio 2005. There are some differences between Windows application development and Web application development.

In order to build a database system, I must learn how to deal with DataGridView which is provided in Windows Application. (Web applications are using GridView.)

This is the prototype I've built based on this tutorial - Presenting Data with the DataGridView Control in .NET 2.0.

(DataGridViewPrototype.zip : 1.3MB)

I've also included the tutorial which I copied into the Word document, where you just click on the "Open tutorial in Word document" link to launch it. The prototype is not error-free, but hopefully it helps when you want to build a windows application and use this DataGridView control.

Music-Lyrics Manager

2007-07-21T17:20:00.001+08:00

I suddenly have this idea popped up in my mind, simply because we like to listen to songs and sing. But, there's always no lyrics, or we need to search for it. So, I'm thinking of building a small application just to manage the lyrics, and tie it to the song.

I haven't think of the name for the application yet - Music-Lyrics Manager / My Playlist / Music-Lyrics Bank.

These are some ideas in my mind:

- Add music
- Add lyrics
- Link music and lyrics
- Add song to playlist
- While playing the song, display lyrics
- Open windows media player
- Rename filename

Tables:
Song/Lyrics - id, filename, title, artist, language, dateAdded,type (song/lyrics)
SongLyrics - id, songId, lyricsId

I'm still working on another application - MyExpenseTracker. Perhaps I'll start this after I've completed that. Just to jot down what's in my mind first, in case I forget later.

How to Launch application in Visual Studio 2005?

2007-07-18T19:03:00.001+08:00

In VB6, I was using this ShellExecute API to launch an external application, such as opening a Word document.

I was searching around, and finally I found this method, and it's so simple.

Just use System.Diagnostics.Process.Start() to launch the application.

string filename = Application.StartupPath + "\\Tutorials\\DataGridViewTutorial01.doc";
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(filename);

As for the Application.StartupPath, it actually refers to the "bin\Debug" folder. (It depends on the build configuration, it refers to "bin\Release" folder if the build configuration is set to "Release".) In order to get the filename correctly, I've made some changes on the document properties.

1. Add the document to the project.

2. Select the document and look for its properties.

3. There are three options for the "Copy to Output Directory" property: Do not copy, Copy always, and Copy if newer. You may select "Copy always" or "Copy if newer", so that whenever you build your project, the latest version will be copied to the output directory. And Application.StartupPath is actually referring to this output directory.

Weekly Task

2007-07-18T08:10:00.001+08:00

When I was in my ex-company, there was once we have to submit 3 assignments per week together with 3 proposals for the next week assignments. I think this is a good idea to improve our programming skills and also motivate ourselves. But, too bad, the plan didn't really go well, I think just two or three weeks, then it died.

Just now when I was sitting in the car, suddenly this idea popped up in my mind. I always agree that it's a good idea, so why not I myself implement it?

OK. This is the plan.

- 3 items a week.
- Item can be prototype, function, java script, tip, tutorial, knowledge, news, just anything that I've learnt regarding software development.

I was thinking, even though when I'm busy with work, I'll definitely learn something. So, it's always good to build the habit to keep record of what I've learnt.

Well, just do it from now onwards. Hope that I can get some friends to join my plan later, so that we'll learn more and get motivated from others.

OOAD UML

2007-07-16T17:07:00.000+08:00

OOAD UML - For Architects & Designers

I've just found this website for Object-Oriented Analysis & Design.
There is this Free Books section that you can find some good tutorials regarding OOAD.
There are also articles and forum for more useful resources.

The site seems to be quite new, hopefully it'll continue to grow.

Free Visual Studio 2005 Express editions

2007-07-11T11:40:00.000+08:00

I didn't know this Express software has become free forever.
This is a good news for those who want to learn the programming, but do not need to buy the software.
I can't remember what the limitations are, coz after not long I downloaded the Express version, my company bought the full version. As long as we can use this Express version to learn programming, I guess it's quite enough. Moreover, you can also download the SQL Server Express.

Click here to find more information or download the Express edition softwares:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/

I just found out these good resources, which can help us to learn throughout the way:
* Beginner Developer Learning Center
* How-To Reference Library
* Kids' Corner (This is cool! You can even teach your kids to do programming now)

My First Ajax Application

2007-07-05T17:18:00.001+08:00

This is considered as my first Ajax application, though it's very simple.
My boss was complaining the page keeps flickering when users perform some actions on the website.
It's because the users always need to request something from the server, so many controls trigger post-back.
This solution can definitely please him. :p
Actually I should have looked into Ajax earlier, coz it's very easy to implement.

Prerequisite: Installed Ajax Extensions 1.0.
Firstly, create a new website.
Select "ASP.NET AJAX-Enabled Web Site" under the Visual Studio installed templates category.

Once you've installed Ajax Extensions, you'll see a tab "AJAX Extensions" added in your toolbox.
Drag and drop the "UpdatePanel" to your web form.

I've made a very simple example here, to demonstrate the difference between with Ajax and without Ajax methods.

I've used the following controls:
(1) DropDownList - to list the selection items
(2) Button - to select the particular item
(3) Label - to display the selected item

Well, I don't know what's the "ScriptManager" about, it was automatically added when I first created the website. I just put the three controls in the UpdatePanel for Ajax demo.

In the example, you'll see with Ajax components, the page doesn't flicker when you send request to the server.

Create DataSet

2007-07-03T20:02:00.000+08:00

I always wanted to create the DataSet manually, without having to fill the DataSet from the DataAdapter.

The example is to get all 12 months, this is how the DataSet looks like:

This is how I did it:

public static DataSet GetAllMonths()
{
//Create new DataSet
DataSet dsMonth = new DataSet ();
//Create new DataTable
DataTable dtMonth = new DataTable ("Month");
//Create two DataColumns: Id & Month
DataColumn dcMonth = new DataColumn ("Month");
DataColumn dcId = new DataColumn ("Id");

//Add the columns to the DataTable
dtMonth.Columns.Add(dcId);
dtMonth.Columns.Add(dcMonth);

//Add the 12 months to the DataTable
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 1, "January");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 2, "February");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 3, "March");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 4, "April");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 5, "May");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 6, "June");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 7, "July");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 8, "August");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 9, "September");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 10, "October");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 11, "November");
_AddMonthToDataTable(ref dtMonth, 12, "December");

//Add the DataTable to DataSet
dsMonth.Tables.Add(dtMonth);

return dsMonth;
}

private static void _AddMonthToDataTable(ref DataTable dt, int id, string month)
{
//Create new DataRow to the DataTable
DataRow dr = dt.NewRow();
//Assign values to the data columns
dr["Id"] = id;
dr["Month"] = month;
//Add the DataRow to the DataTable
dt.Rows.Add(dr);
}

Auto Fill up Leading Zero(s)

2007-06-19T08:40:00.000+08:00

Scenario:
There came another requirement.
When the user didn't key in the max length in the first text box, leading zero(s) will automatically be added to fill up the space.
For example:
Telephone number: (12)-(12345678)
If the user only entered "12", it hasn't reached the max length (3) yet, then a leading zero will be added to become "012".

I'm still using the javascript here. Add the following script in the <head> block:

<script language=javascript>

function AddLeadingZero(currentField)
{
//Check if the value length hasn't reach its max length yet
if (currentField.value.length != currentField.maxLength)
{
//Add leading zero(s) in front of the value
var numToAdd = currentField.maxLength - currentField.value.length;
var value ="";
for (var i = 0; i < numToAdd;i++)
{
value += "0";
}
currentField.value = value + currentField.value;
}
}

</script>

Copy this function in the code file:
public static void AddLeadingZeroAttribute(TextBox txt)
{
//Add leading zero when focus is lost
txt.Attributes.Add("OnBlur", "AddLeadingZero(this)");

}

"OnBlur" event will be triggered when the textbox loses the focus.
Whenever the user finished keying in values and left the textbox, the AddLeadingZero() function will be called.

Auto Set Focus to Next control

2007-06-19T08:30:00.000+08:00

Scenario:
You may want to auto set the focus to the next textbox, when the user has typed the exact length in the current textbox.
For example:
Telephone number: (012)-(12345678)
The max length for the first textbox is 3, after user typed in "012" which already reached the max length, the the focus should automatically set to the next text box.

Thanks for my colleague, Carmen, who helped me to find the following solution.

Add the following script to the <head> block:

Copy this function in the code file:
public static void AddNextTabAttribute(TextBox txt1,
TextBox txt2)
{
//Set next tab attribute when key up
txt1.Attributes.Add("OnKeyUp", "Tab(this, '" +
txt2.ClientID + "')");
}

Whenever the "KeyUp" event has trigged in the first textbox, it'll call the Tab() function and check if it has reached its max length.

Then, call this function in Page_Load event to add the attributes to the textbox.
AddNextTabAttribute(txtPhoneNo1, txtPhoneNo2);

That's it!
I am not sure if there is a better way to do this, I find that it's very powerful to combine Javascript in ASP.NET.

Update McAfee Virus Definition

2007-06-14T11:08:00.000+08:00

I've learnt something new today, and I wish to jot it down, in case I will forget this later. (I'm sure I will forget. :p)

My colleague reminded us to update the virus definition today, but I was having problem in updating it.
Then, my colleague helped me to solve the problem.

1) re-register the ole32.dll in C:\Windows\System32 folder.
2) Start the McAfee Framework Service.
a. Go to Control Panel --> Administration Tools --> Services
b. Look for McAfee Framework Service, right click and select "Start".

That's it.

Bugfree application?

2007-06-12T22:55:00.000+08:00

Will you promise to deliver a bug-free application?

My senior was saying this to me, hopefully by this week we can solve all the problems, and we'll get a PASS for next week UAT.
Well, I do not know what to respond.
Can I say, "I'll try my best"?
This is a very common answer, isn't it?
But how can I make a promise saying there won't be any bugs or problems during the UAT?
Even Microsoft's products are having bugs after they released and sold to thousands or millions of customers, that's why they came out with all these service packs, isn't it?
I dare not promise for a bug-free application. I just kept quiet and listen to my senior's plan. :p

I'm already trying to meet the deadline, the project period has been shorten, then many new requirements have been added, even until today. Well, I have a few more pending enhancements to be completed by the end of this week. Having to fix the errors, and to add the new features, there are three more days for me to go.

Although I might not be able to do the better for this project, there is something I need to cater for the future projects.
From the internal testing bug list, I realized that I've missed out something during my own testing. (Well, I didn't really have time for my own testing.)
I plan to make a checklist for my future projects, I need to fulfill the checklist before I release my application for others to test. Although I need to start another project before I complete this, I surely need to take at least half a day to make a draft checklist.
Completing the projects is important, learning from the mistakes is as important too.
Never learn from mistakes, no matter how many projects I have completed, I didn't learn a single thing. That's not good.

Keep going. Work happily and live happily. ^_^

Hit Enter Key in ASP.NET page

2007-06-12T22:09:00.000+08:00

Scenario:
It's very common for the user to hit the Enter key after they have entered the required data in the text box.
For example, when you want to Login.
After keying in your user name and password, instead of clicking on the "Login" button, you may also hit the Enter key to login.

Solution 1:
In order to do this, ASP.NET 2.0 has provided a property in Form and Panel controls, which is "DefaultButton".
You can set the DefaultButton property to the button name, so that whenever user hits the Enter key in the form or panel, the button clicked event will be triggered.

Solution 2:
Well, I was having an issue with the DefaultButton.
I'm not using panel to group my controls, as panel is having some problem with IE7.
I've found a solution with using javascript, it's simple and nice to use. (You do not need to edit your current UI for this.)

Create this function:

public static void AddEnterKeyAttribute(TextBox txt, ImageButton iBtn)
{

txt.Attributes.Add("onkeydown",
"if(event.which || event.keyCode){if ((event.which == 13) || (event.keyCode == 13)) {document.getElementById('" + iBtn.UniqueID + "').click();return false;}} else {return true}; ");
}

The keycode for enter key is 13.
When a key is pressed in textbox it will check the keycode is 13. If it is 13 the relevant button will be clicked.
event.keycode will not work with firefox, so we are using event.which.
You can create multiple similar functions for different web controls.
Perhaps you can also create a general function which accept any kind of web controls. I haven't try this yet.

You just need to add this in Page_Load event, for all the web controls that you want to trigger the button clicked event when user hits the Enter key:

AddEnterKeyAttribute(txtPassword, ibtnLogin);

It's done. It's just that simple. ^_^

Ref: The Code Project - Solving out ASP.NET enter key problem

Couldn't find selectedvalue

2007-05-22T10:12:00.000+08:00

I'm having problem with GridView again.
I don't know what'd happened.
It worked on last Friday, I was really happy that it finally worked.
But, today when I tested it again, it failed.

Scenario:
I added an edit function to the GridView, and bind the values of the fields to the dropdownlists.
Problem happens after I clicked on the "edit" button on the selected row.
I populated the dropdownlist with a DataSet that was returned from my own function.
DataSource='<#% GetCategories() %>'
I've checked the DataSource passed in correctly, with all the items I want to list out.
But, error returned saying the dropdownlist selected value was not found in the item list.
How could this happen?
The dropdownlist is bond to the correct field.
The weird thing is, I didn't change any codes here.
I'm a bit frustrated now, there are many more work for me to do and problems to solve.
Yet, something was done and now it's undone.

Well, I know frustration won't help to solve the problem.
I will take a break here, and do something else first.
I'll finally find out how to solve this later.
Sometimes, a simple thing but costs lots of effort & thinking.

Crystal Report or Embedded Report?

2007-05-14T13:09:00.000+08:00

Scenario:
I need to create a simple report for my application.
The report only needs to include some data in tabular format, and some user information.
I've been looking into Crystal Report and Embedded Report today.

Crystal Report:
I guess the functionality is more powerful, and it's been a well known reporting.
If my report requires more functionality in future, then I do not need to change the report control.

Embedded Report:
I was thinking of choosing this embedded report, coz I only need a simple report.
This embedded report can be run on local mode, which it will be faster and less traffic created to request data from the server.
I only need to export function to PDF and Excel, which this embedded report was limited to only export to Excel and PDF works fine for me.

Problems:
Well, so far I have problems with these two report tools, although I thought it should be very simple.
Crystal Report:
I've tried a prototype with Crystal Report, it was fine, it's very easy to configure and format the report layout.
But, when I really want to try this in my application, I was prompted to enter the connection information. Well, I have no idea what XML file I should key in for the File Path.
Perhaps a XML format for the Class?
Well, I was just stuck here, and don't know how to proceed further.

Embedded Report:
As for the embedded report, I'm having problem too.
I have this error: "A data source instance has not been supplied for the data source..."
Well, I have no idea what to do right now.

Perhaps just take a break, and continue later.

Split string

2007-05-11T21:24:00.001+08:00

Scenario:
The IC Number format is "770131-08-1234", and I need to split the text into 3 different sections, to display on the screen.

Solution:
There are many times we need to split a string with a delimiter.
The Split() function can help to deal with these cases easily.
Note that the delimiter is a character.

Example 1: Split with one delimiter
string stringToSplit = "770131-08-1234";
string[] splitStrings = stringToSplit.Split('-');

splitStrings[0] will be "770131".
splitStrings[1] will be "08".
splitStrings[2] will be "1234".

Example 2: Split with more than one delimiter
string stringToSplit = "770131;08-1234";
string[] splitStrings = stringToSplit.Split('-',';');

splitStrings[0] will be "770131".
splitStrings[1] will be "08".
splitStrings[2] will be "1234".

Example 3: Split without delimiter
Spaces will be treated as delimiter.
string stringToSplit = "770131 08 1234";
string[] splitStrings = stringToSplit.Split();

splitStrings[0] will be "770131".
splitStrings[1] will be "08".
splitStrings[2] will be "1234".

I've prepared a simple demonstration --> Split String
It's relatively slow compared to working on my own laptop.
Perhaps you can also download the source code here.
(SplitString.zip : 4.5KB)

Display image in GridView according to the value

2007-05-11T17:35:00.000+08:00

Scenario:
I have a boolean field in the dataset called "isImportant".
I want to bind this field to the GridView, so that if the value is true, it'll show a red flag.

Solution:
I actually searched for quite sometime, and at last found that it's actually very simple to do that.
1. Create a Template Field for the column.
2. Add a Image control in the ItemTemplate.
3. Set the ImageUrl for the Image.
4. Right click on the Image control and select "Edit DataBindings....".
5. You'll see the "DataBinding" dialog box.

(Click to see the larger image)
5. Select the "Visible" property in the "Bindable properties" list.
6. For "Custom binding" section, type: Bind("IsImportant").
7. It's done.
When the "IsImportant" value is true, the image will be shown.
Otherwise, the image will be invisible.

If you know there is any simpler or better way to do this, please let me know. ^_^

Format DateTime in GridView

2007-05-07T18:21:00.000+08:00

Well, this could be very simple, but it could be hard if you don't know the key.

Just click on the arrow icon located at the top right corner of the GridView, and select "Edit columns...".
The following dialog box will be displayed.

(Click on the above image to view the larger image)

Select the DateTime field.
Then change the value for the following properties:
* DataFormatString: {0:dd/MM/yyyy}
* HtmlEncode: False

You'll get the following DateTime display in your Gridview.

Database Design Diagram

2007-04-29T19:31:00.000+08:00

After some struggle in the design, I've finally decided to choose the current path:
separating the Data Access Layer and Business Logic Layer.

I've designed the database.
As I may only be able to upload one database to my free hosting site,
so I have to share the same database for all my future projects.

There will be some tables sharing among these projects:
* User
* Attachment

The main tables for MyProjectManager are:
* Project
* ProjectTask
* ProjectMember
* TaskAssignee
* ProjectAttachment
* TaskAttachment
* ProjectTimeLog

The reference tables include:
* ProjectApplicationType (whether Web application or Windows application)
* ProjectStatus (Not Started, On-going, Completed, On-hold, Terminated)
* ProjectPhase
* TaskType (whether Project Task, Project Request or Project Bug)

I was confusing whether I should combine ProjectAttachment & TaskAttachment tables into one,
as they serve for the same purpose, except one for Project, another for Task.
Same go to ProjectMember and TaskAssignee.

Well, this is my first version of database design.
I really gotta get it up, and start work on it, otherwise it'll never end. ^_^

You may download the database diagram here:
(DatabaseDesign.zip : 19.4KB)

Stuck in 3-Tier Application Design

2007-04-29T11:43:00.000+08:00

I am in the midst of designing MyProjectManager's architecture.
I am stuck here.

Definitely, I'd like to have 3 tiers in my application,
which is Data Tier, Business Logic Tier and the Presentation Tier.
There's no doubt in data tier and presentation tier,
which consists of the database and UI, respectively.
But, how about the Business Logic Tier?
I've seen the design which combines the Data Access Tier and the Business Tier,
which is a class contains the Data Access codes and also the Business Logic codes.
I guess this will boot up the performance, but will it make the tiers ambiguous?
Should we separate the Data Access codes with the Business Logic codes?

I've read an article saying the advantages of separating them are:
1) Increases code transparency
2) Supports changes in Data Layer. You can change or alter database with out touching the Business Layer and this would be a very minimum touch up.

How do others deal with this issue?
Separating them? or combing them into one layer?

Writing < > in the web page

2007-04-18T22:03:00.000+08:00

Since HTML uses the tag <>, so if you want to display <> on the screen, you need to specially convert them to some other format.

To use the opening tag "<", you need to type
To use the closing tag ">", you need to type
Say, you want to write<HTML> , you actually need to type

Adding CSS to ASP.NET

2007-04-18T20:42:00.000+08:00

geI have no idea how to deal with CSS, and also include CSS into my ASP.NET pages.
After searching in the Internet, I finally found that it's so simple to do it.

First of all, do not set the font properties for all the controls if you decide to use CSS, otherwise the properties set will overwrite the CSS attributes.

1) Add a new item --> Select "Style Sheet" from the item --> Say, name it "Style1.css".
2) Copy the following text into the CSS file.

body
{
font-family: Verdana;
font-size: 8pt;
}
.MyLabel
{
color:Olive ;
font-size:
8pt;
font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic;
font-family:Century
Gothic;
}
.MyTextBox
{
color:Silver ;
font-size: 15pt;
font-family:Verdana ;
}

Where "MyLabel" and "MyTextBox" is the CSS name.
3) Copy this statement in the ASP page between the "head" block:
<link href="Style1.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet">
OR
Select "DOCUMENT" property for the ASP page, then set the property "StyleSheet" value to the CSS filename, i.e. Style1.css
4) Create a Label and a TextBox on the page.
Then set the property CssClass for Label to "MyLabel", and "MyTextBox" for the TextBox.
You'll see the effect.

Isn't it really simple? I've applied this to my current project, which makes it look much nicer and neater. I'm happy for that. ^_^

Thanks OceanGenie for telling me this good site for learning CSS - CSS Tutorial from W3Schools. If you want to learn more about How To write the CSS attributes, I guess this site consists of many good tutorials.

Project Initiation

2007-04-13T22:10:00.000+08:00

After drafting out the rough ideas from my mind, I started documenting these in proper documentation.

I've finally done with these documents:

Proposal - state the purpose of the project and also the general features.
Use Cases - list out the actors and their actions.

Next, I'll be drafting out the Gantt chart.
This project was really started in 9-April-2007. I plan to get it done in three month time, which is by end of June-2007, I should be able to start using this project management system.

You may download the documents here:
(Proposal.zip : 14.6KB)
(High Level Use Case.zip : 23.6KB)

My First Project - MyProjectManager

2007-04-13T00:48:00.000+08:00

I've decided to develop a project management system as my first project, simply because I need a tool to handle the projects I'm going to build.

I always like to learn project management and better software development process. Having been researched for quite some time, I felt like I was still standing still but not moving forward. Finally, I decided to start with a simple process first, then only enhance it in the future along the way.

This project management system will be a web-based application, it's intended to help users to start a project easily and also with some guidelines. So that, I won't be struggling in kicking out a project anymore in the future. I should know how to start, what to do, how to do at the very beginning, and also am able to plan how to carry out the whole project.

By doing this project, I'll be able to learn project management, web application development using ASP.NET & C#, plus ADO.NET for the database. I also try to apply a better architecture design in the application. This is one of the areas I'm interested in software development too.

Any feedback or suggestions is welcomed. So, please feel free to drop me a comment if you have any ideas or thoughts. Thanks!

The Plan

2007-04-13T00:10:00.000+08:00

I have these thoughts in my mind for carrying out the plan of building my website:

Start developing projects. It's always good to learn from practical work. Besides learning, I can develop applications for myself to use too.
A blog to record how this website is being set up, and also the process of the learning. Well, before I have established my own website, here will be the host of my blog posts.
Record and list out the helpful website URLs. Resources are always useful in the learning process, but I always lost the URLs somewhere in the space.
Simple prototypes, sample codes, code snippets, articles, tutorials are always useful in learning software development.
I always like to have a forum to serve as a communication media for discussing and sharing certain topics/opinions.

These are the areas I plan to include in my website in the future.

The Purpose

2007-04-11T13:30:00.000+08:00

I have been thinking of developing my own website for many years.
Though there were many plannings going on, the simple task hasn't been really executed, as I did not have a solid idea on the purpose of the website.Having decided on developing my interest and skill in software development, I finally found that there is a need for me to build a website, recording my learning process throughout the whole path.
Here we go, finally I've decided the purpose of my website.

Purpose:

To record my learning process & result in software development.

Goals:

To encourage or push myself to keep learning, to be more hardworking, or to motivate myself in learning.
To promote the message "Programming is Fun!"
To share any software development related information with others.
To receive feedback, advices, suggestions, comments from others, so that everyone will benefit.

I do not like to be alone in my learning path, I always like to involve others along the way, same to my life. It's fun to have companies, so that we will grow together, so that we can point out each other's mistakes, from there we learn together.

Moreover, it's just fun! Here we start the journey......