Web Parts in ASP.NET

In ASP.NET 2.0 you can build web portal that offer personalization and modularization of information using new Portal framework. This new framework provides effective way to build a modular web site that dynamically reapplies settings on a per-user basis. Web Parts are objects in the Portal Framework which the end user can open, close or move from one zone of the page to another. Web Parts are included in ASP.NET server control framework and are used like any other ASP.NET server controls. You can also build your own custom Web Parts.

Advantages of Web Parts

  • Web Parts allows for personalization of page content. They allows users to move or hide the Web Parts and add new Web Parts changing the page layout.

  • Web Parts allows user to export or import Web Parts settings for use in other pages. Web Parts retain the properties, appearance and the data across the pages when imported or exported.

  • Web Parts can be assigned role-based access. So you can determine which Web Parts can share by all or which should be hidden for certain roles. This helps us to provide customized content based on security.

  • Web Parts can talk to each other. You can utilize the data in one Web Part in another Web Part for different purposes.

Web Parts Modes

The modular and customizable sites that you can build with the new Portal Framework enable you to put the web page that is in view into several modes for the end user. Modes are very powerful in that they enable user to edit Web Parts, delete the Web Parts or customize Web Parts.

  • a) Normal mode: End user cannot edit or move sections of page.

  • b) Edit Mode: End user can edit Web Parts on the page including Web Parts title, color or even setting custom properties.

  • c) Design Mode: End user can rearrange the order of the page’s Web Parts in a WebPartZone.

  • d) Catalog Mode: End user enjoys the choice to add new Web Parts or add deleted Web Parts in any WebPartZone on the page.

Web Parts components

You can study Web Parts under three different categories. Each category adds it own value in Portal Framework (Web Parts).

  • Personalization

  • UI Structural components

  • WebParts UI controls

Personalization

Personalization is the core behavior of WebParts. You can modify or personalize the layout, appearance and behavior of WebParts controls. Personalized settings are persisted for future browser sessions.

UI Structural components

UI structural components create infrastructure for the WebParts to work on a page. They provide core services needed by any Web Part including coordinating and tracking all individual WebParts controls. They also control the different modes in which a page can be (Normal, Edit, Design, and Catalog). It also manages WebParts zones. For example: WebPartManager control is one such UI Structural component which should be required on each page that holds WebParts.

WebParts UI controls

Web Parts control set is extensive and flexible which can be used to build Web Parts or you can create your own custom Web Parts by inheriting from the System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebParts.Webpart class. You can also reuse existing ASP.NET server controls as Web Parts controls by encapsulating it in a genericwebpart class.

Portal Framework defines everything in terms of zones. Zones are container of Web Parts controls. They act as layout managers on Web Parts page. Zones are managed by Portal Framework manager.


WebParts in Toolbox

WebPartManager

WebPartManager control is server control that completely manages the state of the zones and content placed in the zones on a per-user basis. This control doesn't have any visual interface, can add and delete items within zones of the page. You can have only one WebPartManager for each page that works with Portal Framework. You can run WebPartManager in one of several display modes. It facilities communication between different elements contained in the zones. For example: you can pass a specific name/value pairs from one item to another item within the same zone, or between items in different zones.

You can drag and drop the WebPartManager control from the toolbox to the design surface. Since it doesn't have a UI interface, it appears as a gray box. You can find all Web Parts server controls in WebParts section of toolbox as shown below.

After you place the WebPartManager control on the page, the next step is to create zones from which you can utilize the Portal Framework. Web zones define specific rows or columns as individual content areas managed by WebPartManager.