Hi,

I'm trying to use a generated collection as a datasource for a BindingSource. In code everything works fine like so:

1    theList = New BLL.EpPlanCollection
2    theList.LoadAll()
3    
4    Dim bs As New BindingSource
5    bs.DataSource = theList
6    
7    DataGridView1.DataSource = bs

If I try to add a BindingSource in designtime there is a problem. I can choose the EpPlanCollection as a datasource for the BindingSource, but I cannot choose the right DataMember or invoke the LoadAll function... I can only choose related collections as a DataMember, but I need the collection itself like in the code example... I've tried adding the following code to my custom EpPlan class, but the property doesn't show up...

#Region "EpPlanCollection - Zero To Many"
        ''' <summary>
        ''' All Ep Plans
        ''' </summary>

        <XmlIgnore()> _
        Public Property EpPlanCollection() As EpPlanCollection
            Get
                If Me._EpPlanCollection Is Nothing Then
                    Me._EpPlanCollection = New EpPlanCollection()
                    Me._EpPlanCollection.es.Connection.Name = Me.es.Connection.Name
                    Me.SetPostSave("EpPlanCollection", Me._EpPlanCollection)

                    Me._EpPlanCollection.LoadAll()
                End If

                Return Me._EpPlanCollection
            End Get

            Set(ByVal value As EpPlanCollection)
                If Not value Is Nothing Then Throw New Exception("'value' Must be null")

                If Not Me._EpPlanCollection Is Nothing Then
                    Me.RemovePostSave("EpPlanCollection")
                    Me._EpPlanCollection = Nothing
                End If
            End Set

        End Property

        Private _EpPlanCollection As EpPlanCollection
#End Region

Can anybody assist please?

Open the EntitySpacesDemo in VS, and take a look at SimpleGrid.cs in Design View. An EmployeesCollection, BindingSource, and DataGridView have been dragged to the Form from the ToolBox. The bindingSource1.DataSource is set to employeesCollection. The dataGridView1.DataSource is set to bindingSource1. No DataMember is set for either.

By default, AutoGenerateColumns is true for the DataGridView, and you would normally see all Employees columns in the Designer. If you scroll down the DataGridView's Properties, and open the Columns Collection, you will see that a number of columns have been removed, and the EmployeeID column is set to ReadOnly. Once changes are made to the Columns Collection in the Designer, AutoGenerateColumns is automatically set to false, and only the selected columns will display. You could, also, override the HeaderText for each column to display something other than the default property name.

At runtime, you need to instantiate the collection, load it, and bind it. You will find code almost identical to your first code block in the Form Load event in Code View for SimpleGrid.cs.

Are you trying to view data at design time?

I'm trying to set the DataMember at DesignTime, probably to see the data at design time (noobical, not cynical)...

I guess instantiating and loading the collection at runtime wouldn't be a problem, this should be done in the Form_Load event i presume? (sorry don't have the demo installed, no admin rights..)