Reusing WPF user control by parametrizing it does not work - wpf

Question

In a MVVM application I have below user control.
From different areas of my WPF main Window, I am creating different instances of this user control so I would like to parametrize this user control in order to reuse it and show a different message in its label each time I create a new instance of it. In order to accomplish this, I have created a dependency property in the user control code-behind called MessageText and I have bound it to the label in the user control style.
User Control:
<UserControl x:Class="My.Apps.WPF.Demo.Controls.UCBusy"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
Height="300" Width="300">
<UserControl.Resources>
<Color x:Key="FilledColor" A="255" B="222" R="176" G="196"/>
<Color x:Key="UnfilledColor" A="0" B="222" R="176" G="196"/>
<Style x:Key="BusyAnimationStyle" TargetType="Control">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="white" />
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="Control">
<ControlTemplate.Resources>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation0" BeginTime="00:00:00.0" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse0" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation1" BeginTime="00:00:00.2" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse1" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation2" BeginTime="00:00:00.4" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse2" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation3" BeginTime="00:00:00.6" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse3" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation4" BeginTime="00:00:00.8" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse4" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation5" BeginTime="00:00:01.0" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse5" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation6" BeginTime="00:00:01.2" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse6" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation7" BeginTime="00:00:01.4" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse7" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</ControlTemplate.Resources>
<ControlTemplate.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsVisible" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation0}" x:Name="Storyboard0" />
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation1}" x:Name="Storyboard1"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation2}" x:Name="Storyboard2"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation3}" x:Name="Storyboard3"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation4}" x:Name="Storyboard4"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation5}" x:Name="Storyboard5"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation6}" x:Name="Storyboard6"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation7}" x:Name="Storyboard7"/>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard0"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard1"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard2"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard3"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard4"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard5"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard6"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard7"/>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</ControlTemplate.Triggers>
<Border BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}"
BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}"
Background="{TemplateBinding Background}">
<Grid>
<Canvas Height="60" Width="60">
<Canvas.Resources>
<Style TargetType="Ellipse">
<Setter Property="Width" Value="15"/>
<Setter Property="Height" Value="15" />
<Setter Property="Fill" Value="#009B9B9B" />
</Style>
</Canvas.Resources>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse0" Canvas.Left="1.75" Canvas.Top="21"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse1" Canvas.Top="7" Canvas.Left="6.5"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse2" Canvas.Left="20.5" Canvas.Top="0.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse3" Canvas.Left="34.75" Canvas.Top="6.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse4" Canvas.Left="40.5" Canvas.Top="20.75" />
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse5" Canvas.Left="34.75" Canvas.Top="34.5"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse6" Canvas.Left="20.75" Canvas.Top="39.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse7" Canvas.Top="34.25" Canvas.Left="7" />
<Ellipse Width="39.5" Height="39.5" Canvas.Left="8.75" Canvas.Top="8" Visibility="Hidden"/>
<Label Content="{Binding Path=MessageText}"
FontSize="17"
Canvas.Left="60.5" Canvas.Top="11.5"
HorizontalContentAlignment="Center"
VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
</Canvas>
</Grid>
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</UserControl.Resources>
<Control Style="{StaticResource BusyAnimationStyle}" />
</UserControl>
User Control Code-behind:
public partial class UCBusy : UserControl
{
public UCBusy()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty MessageTextProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register("MessageText", typeof(string), typeof(UCBusy));
public string MessageText
{
get
{
return this.GetValue(MessageTextProperty) as string;
}
set
{
this.SetValue(MessageTextProperty, value);
}
}
}
Then in the view, I bind the user control dependency property just created with properties in view model:
View Model:
<!-- Instance 1 -->
<controls:UCBusy MessageText="{Binding Path=WaitMessageText_1}" />
<!-- Instance 2 -->
<controls:UCBusy MessageText="{Binding Path=WaitMessageText_2}" />
... and in view model ...
View Model:
private string _waitMessageText_1 = "Hi there! I am message 1";
private string _waitMessageText_2 = "Hi there! I am message 2";
/// <summary>
/// Gets or sets the wait message text 1.
/// </summary>
public string WaitMessageText_1
{
get
{
return _waitMessageText_1;
}
set
{
if (_waitMessageText_1 == value) return;
_waitMessageText_1 = value;
OnPropertyChanged("WaitMessageText_1");
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Gets or sets the wait message text 2.
/// </summary>
public string WaitMessageText_2
{
get
{
return _waitMessageText_2;
}
set
{
if (_waitMessageText_2 == value) return;
_waitMessageText_2 = value;
OnPropertyChanged("WaitMessageText_2");
}
}
Finally, from view model I am setting these properties when needed but I note that my view is not being updated with the new messages I put, I mean, label in the user control does not display nothing. What am I doing wrong? I think I am missing something anywhere...
Note: In my case, Datacontext is always the same (I have set it to point to view model) so no need to change it each time I create a new instance of user control.

Answer 1

I would have you start by taking a look at a prior answer I provided that did a bunch of each step on a customized control, properties, styling, etc. It too is here at S/O
A couple of direct issues... Your "Style" declaration is based on a "Control", but your class is based on "Control", but your custom class is explicitly a "UCBusy" control, so "Control" has no idea what "MessageText" is for the style binding.
Also, you got by it partially because you declared as a different class type.
EDITED WITH FULL SAMPLE per my previous suggestions.
Here is source code that works to see all the parts. I created a new project "StackHelp" and have the following. Notice the merged dictionary is referring to the "component/MyClasses…" subfolder where my custom classes and corresponding .xaml resource dictionaries are created.
APP.XAML
<Application
x:Class="StackHelp.App"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
StartupUri="MyMainWindow.xaml">
<Application.Resources>
<!-- Generic up front for the entire application for the theme / styles to be used -->
<ResourceDictionary>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="pack://application:,,,/StackHelp;component/MyClasses/UCBusy.xaml" />
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>
</Application>
MyClasses\UCBusy.cs (within the subfolder in the project)
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
namespace StackHelp.MyClasses
{
public class UCBusy : UserControl
{
public UCBusy()
{
// just to default so style will allow us to see where this will present
// even just during design time sample.
MessageText = "My Sample Text";
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty MessageTextProperty
= DependencyProperty.Register("MessageText",
typeof(string), typeof(UCBusy));
public string MessageText
{
get { return GetValue(MessageTextProperty) as string; }
set { SetValue(MessageTextProperty, value); }
}
}
}
MyClasses\UCBusy.xaml (the xaml is specifically RESOURCE DICTIONARY item)
Two styles defined... a basic just as a stand-alone label just to see HOW the bindings get done... A SECOND one specifically to do your elaborate style. The "xmlns:myC" means the "myC" alias refers to the classes found within the "MyClasses" subfolder of the project per namespace.
<ResourceDictionary
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:myC="clr-namespace:StackHelp.MyClasses">
<!-- resource dictionary is in-itself a list of resources -->
<!-- Just a SIMPLE Style to test the proper bindings... as basic as possible to test context working -->
<Style TargetType="{x:Type myC:UCBusy}" x:Key="BusyAnimationStyleBasic">
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type myC:UCBusy}" >
<Label Content="{TemplateBinding MessageText}"
FontSize="17"
HorizontalContentAlignment="Center"
VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
<Color x:Key="FilledColor" A="255" B="222" R="176" G="196"/>
<Color x:Key="UnfilledColor" A="0" B="222" R="176" G="196"/>
<!-- Now, your elaborate style with all animations...-->
<Style TargetType="{x:Type myC:UCBusy}" x:Key="BusyAnimationStyle">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="white" />
<Setter Property="Template">
<Setter.Value>
<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type myC:UCBusy}" >
<ControlTemplate.Resources>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation0" BeginTime="00:00:00.0" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse0" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation1" BeginTime="00:00:00.2" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse1" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation2" BeginTime="00:00:00.4" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse2" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation3" BeginTime="00:00:00.6" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse3" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation4" BeginTime="00:00:00.8" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse4" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation5" BeginTime="00:00:01.0" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse5" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation6" BeginTime="00:00:01.2" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse6" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
<Storyboard x:Key="Animation7" BeginTime="00:00:01.4" RepeatBehavior="Forever">
<ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames Storyboard.TargetName="ellipse7" Storyboard.TargetProperty="(Shape.Fill).(SolidColorBrush.Color)">
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:00.0" Value="{StaticResource FilledColor}"/>
<SplineColorKeyFrame KeyTime="00:00:01.6" Value="{StaticResource UnfilledColor}"/>
</ColorAnimationUsingKeyFrames>
</Storyboard>
</ControlTemplate.Resources>
<ControlTemplate.Triggers>
<Trigger Property="IsVisible" Value="True">
<Trigger.EnterActions>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation0}" x:Name="Storyboard0" />
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation1}" x:Name="Storyboard1"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation2}" x:Name="Storyboard2"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation3}" x:Name="Storyboard3"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation4}" x:Name="Storyboard4"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation5}" x:Name="Storyboard5"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation6}" x:Name="Storyboard6"/>
<BeginStoryboard Storyboard="{StaticResource Animation7}" x:Name="Storyboard7"/>
</Trigger.EnterActions>
<Trigger.ExitActions>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard0"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard1"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard2"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard3"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard4"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard5"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard6"/>
<StopStoryboard BeginStoryboardName="Storyboard7"/>
</Trigger.ExitActions>
</Trigger>
</ControlTemplate.Triggers>
<!--<StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
<TextBlock Text="{TemplateBinding MessageText}"/>
</StackPanel>-->
<Border BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}"
BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}"
Background="{TemplateBinding Background}">
<Grid>
<Canvas Height="60" Width="60">
<Canvas.Resources>
<Style TargetType="Ellipse">
<Setter Property="Width" Value="15"/>
<Setter Property="Height" Value="15" />
<Setter Property="Fill" Value="#009B9B9B" />
</Style>
</Canvas.Resources>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse0" Canvas.Left="1.75" Canvas.Top="21"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse1" Canvas.Top="7" Canvas.Left="6.5"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse2" Canvas.Left="20.5" Canvas.Top="0.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse3" Canvas.Left="34.75" Canvas.Top="6.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse4" Canvas.Left="40.5" Canvas.Top="20.75" />
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse5" Canvas.Left="34.75" Canvas.Top="34.5"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse6" Canvas.Left="20.75" Canvas.Top="39.75"/>
<Ellipse x:Name="ellipse7" Canvas.Top="34.25" Canvas.Left="7" />
<Ellipse Width="39.5" Height="39.5" Canvas.Left="8.75" Canvas.Top="8" Visibility="Hidden"/>
<Label Content="{TemplateBinding MessageText}"
FontSize="17"
Canvas.Left="60.5" Canvas.Top="11.5"
HorizontalContentAlignment="Center"
VerticalAlignment="Center"/>
</Canvas>
</Grid>
</Border>
</ControlTemplate>
</Setter.Value>
</Setter>
</Style>
</ResourceDictionary>
MyMainWindow.xaml.cs (the main window for the startup of the application)
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Windows;
namespace StackHelp
{
public partial class MyMainWindow : Window, INotifyPropertyChanged
{
public MyMainWindow()
{
DataContext = this;
InitializeComponent();
}
public event PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;
protected void OnPropertyChanged(string propertyName)
{
if (PropertyChanged != null)
PropertyChanged(this, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName));
}
private string _waitMessageText_1 = "Hi there! I am message 1";
public string WaitMessageText_1
{
get
{
return _waitMessageText_1;
}
set
{
if (_waitMessageText_1 == value) return;
_waitMessageText_1 = value;
OnPropertyChanged("WaitMessageText_1");
}
}
private string _waitMessageText_2 = "Hi there! I am message 2";
public string WaitMessageText_2
{
get
{
return _waitMessageText_2;
}
set
{
if (_waitMessageText_2 == value) return;
_waitMessageText_2 = value;
OnPropertyChanged("WaitMessageText_2");
}
}
}
}
MyMainWindow.xaml (actual xaml for the main window)
Here, I have two instances, one using the BASIC style, second using the fully defined/spinner style.
<Window x:Class="StackHelp.MyMainWindow"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:d="http://schemas.microsoft.com/expression/blend/2008"
xmlns:myC="clr-namespace:StackHelp.MyClasses"
Title="My Main Window" Height="250" Width="800">
<Grid>
<Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<ColumnDefinition Width="1*" />
<ColumnDefinition Width="1*" />
</Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
<!-- Instance 1 using the BASIC style version-->
<myC:UCBusy MessageText="{Binding WaitMessageText_1}"
Grid.Column="0" Style="{StaticResource BusyAnimationStyleBasic}" />
<!-- Instance 2 using the FINAL style version-->
<myC:UCBusy MessageText="{Binding WaitMessageText_2}"
Grid.Column="1" Style="{StaticResource BusyAnimationStyle}"/>
</Grid>
</Window>
Hope this finishes jump-starting you on your own styles and implementations.