Code Library

The XtraTreeList Suite is the first comprehensive TreeList control for Visual Studio.NET. It was built from the ground up using C# and is optimized to take full advantage of the .NET Framework. The XtraTreeList is a multi-purpose data visualization system that can display information as a TREE, a GRID, or a combination of both - in either data-bound or unbound mode. This unique synergy between a traditional grid and a traditional treeview allows you to create cutting-edge and visually appealing application interfaces for your end-users. The XtraTreeList places you in control of the development process and ensures that you can create function rich applications without having to write a single line of code.

The XtraTreeList fully exploits ADO.NET technologies. Its data source can use any class that implements an IList interface, and just like the XtraGrid, the XtraTreeList does NOT cache any data and as result has a small memory footprint and performs data operations as fast as your data can be obtained. In addition, the XtraTreeList fully supports our XtraEditors Library to provide you with a huge collection of individual editors - from drop down calendars to combo boxes.


Below is a list of the main features and benefits available to you when using the XtraTreeList control.



Data Specifics
• Support for Hierarchical Data Relationships - With the XtraTreeList, you can represent any self referenced data structure without hassle... In bound or un-bound mode. Please refer to the Tree Generation Algorithm in the XtraTreeList topic for details.

• Full ADO+ Support - The XtraTreeList takes full advantage of ADO+. By using this data access architecture and separation of internal data modules from data presentation, the XtraTreeList does not use any extra buffers, thus greatly improving performance and reducing memory use.

• Advanced Unbound Mode Support - The XtraTreeList works with any source which supports an IList or ITypedList interface, along with all inherited interfaces. Please see the Unbound Mode topic for more information.

• Export Data to and Import from XML - See the Export and Import Data methods.

• Dynamic Loading - Allows you to load only root nodes (rows) on start-up. Child nodes are loaded when their parents are expanded. Please see the Dynamic Loading in Unbound Mode topic for details on how this can be implemented.

• Binding to a Business Object - With this feature, you are able to bind the TreeList control to any object that represents a tree structure. You can do this by implementing the DevExpress.XtraTreeList.IVirtualTreeListData interface for the business object or via the TreeList's TreeList.VirtualTreeGetChildNodes and TreeList.VirtualTreeGetCellValue events. Please see the Binding to a Business Object topic for details.



Data Representation Specifics
• Automatic Sorting against Multiple Columns - With the XtraTreeList, you can sort against an unlimited number of columns, without writing a single line of code. Please refer to the Sorting topic for more information regarding the sorting algorithm implemented in the control.

• Filtering Nodes - This feature allows you to flexibly control the visibility of nodes. You can filter nodes based upon the contents of a column. It's also possible to handle the TreeList.FilterNode event to dynamically specify which nodes need to be currently displayed or hidden. Or you can change a node's visibility directly via the node's TreeListNode.Visible property.

• Custom Sorting - Allows you to implement a custom sorting algorithm by handling the TreeList.CompareNodeValues event.

• Custom Node Height and Runtime Node Resizing - You can implement a custom algorithm that sets different heights for different nodes or you can allow end-users to freely change the heights of nodes at runtime. See the TreeList.CalcNodeHeight and TreeListOptionsBehavior.ResizeNodes topics.

• Incremental Searching - This allows end-users to quickly locate the required information within the XtraTreeList by typing a search string within a non-editable column. See the TreeListOptionsBehavior.AllowIncrementalSearch and TreeListColumn.AllowIncrementalSearch properties.

• Auto Preview Pane - Permits you to display long text fields within the TreeList. Jump to the Preview Sections topic to get more information on this feature.

• Runtime Column Customization - The XtraTreeList provides a quick method of customizing the control's layout at runtime. End-users can hide specific columns and then restore them using drag and drop.



In-place Editing
• XtraEditors Library Integration - No more hassle or limits when it comes to using editors within a treeview. The XtraTreeList works in concert with our XtraEditors Library allowing you to use all our field editors (from date controls to combo boxes) directly within your TreeList. Please see the Inplace Editors topic for more details.

• Editor Repository - You can setup a single in-place editor, for instance a pick image edit as an editor for a payment type field, and use it for as many TreeLists or other Developer Express controls as you wish. When you use the repository and have to add a different credit card payment type, you only need to change it in one in-place editor.



Painting Specifics
• Support for Multiple Painting Schemes - WindowsXP, Flat, Style3D, Office2003, etc.

• Skins Support - Skins will bring a striking look and feel to your applications, far beyond the normal painting standards.

• Appearances - A powerful mechanism to control the entire look and feel of the TreeList, allowing you to customize appearance settings of almost any visual element. See the Appearances topic for more information.

• Style Conditions - You can apply appearances to cells conditionally to reflect certain states such as errors.

• Alpha Blending and Background Images - You can greatly improve the look & feel of your TreeList control by assigning a background image to it and using transparent element colors. Please see the Alpha Blending topic for details.

• Custom Painting - The XtraTreeList provides a set of events that enable you to perform custom painting of control elements. Using this feature, you have no limits in adjusting the control's look & feel. Please refer to the Custom Draw topic to see the ways in which this feature can be implemented.



Design-Time
• Advanced XtraTreeList Designer - The XtraTreeList control's designer provides access to the control's settings by categorizing them into separate pages. Thus you can quickly find appropriate options that control different aspects of the XtraTreeList. Jump to The XtraTreeList Designer topic to review the designer pages.

• Nodes Editor - This is an easy-to-use editor that allows you to add nodes at design time (used in unbound mode).

• Design-time column selection - Not only can you select columns in the Properties grid but also select them directly in the XtraTreeList at design time.



Miscellaneous
• Context Menus - Context menus provide end-users with quick access to the most common customization tasks: apply footer and row summaries, invoke column customization, apply best fit to columns and more. It's also possible to extend the built-in menus by implementing custom features via an event. Refer to the Context Menus topic for details.

• Column Header and Cell Hint Support.

• ErrorInfo Support - The XtraTreeList permits you to mark specific cells or entire nodes with error icons and so indicate the cells that contain invalid data. See the TreeList.SetColumnError topic for more information.

• Save and Load Layouts - By default, the XtraTreeList control enables end-users to customize the control's layout at runtime. To save the changes made into the layout by end-users between application runs you can use the TreeList's SaveLayoutTo... and RestoreLayoutFrom... methods. See the Saving and Restoring Layouts topic for more information.

• Printing (via the XtraPrinting Library).

• Localization of Every Interface Element. See the Localization topic.

• Export to XML, HTML, PDF, RTF, TXT and XLS - See the ExportTo... methods (for instance, TreeList.ExportToHtml).


Source of Information : 2000-2010 Developer Express Inc. All rights reserved Documentation