Is it possible to change the inheritance settings for a WPF property? Ideally, I would set ToolTipService.ShowDelay at the Window or UserControl level and everything in the visual tree would inherit from there. I know this is possible with a custom dependency property, but with the default properties?
You can't do this directly because you're working with an attached property. With a normal DP you can override the metadata on a specific (usually derived) type, but there's not really a place you can do this for an attached property because the metadata is declared on the owner (ToolTipService) but it's used on every other type by referencing that owner, and also the metadata it originally declared.
You can simulate the behavior you want by declaring your own version of the property and then using that to set the real one on each inheritor of that value. Here's the property declaration:
public static readonly DependencyProperty InitialShowDelayProperty = DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached(
"InitialShowDelay",
typeof(int),
typeof(MyWindow),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(0, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits, InitialShowDelayPropertyChanged));
public static int GetInitialShowDelay(DependencyObject target)
{
return (int)target.GetValue(InitialShowDelayProperty);
}
public static void SetInitialShowDelay(DependencyObject target, int value)
{
target.SetValue(InitialShowDelayProperty, value);
}
private static void InitialShowDelayPropertyChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
ToolTipService.SetInitialShowDelay(d, (int)e.NewValue);
}
And then to set the inheriting value just set your new property and it should set ToolTipService's real one for you on all children:
local:MyWindow.InitialShowDelay="555"
Related
I declared a dependency property with FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits:
public static class DesignerItemStyles {
public static readonly DependencyProperty HeaderBackgroundProperty =
DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached(
"HeaderBackground", typeof(Brush), typeof(DesignerItemStyles),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(
Brushes.DesignerViewElementHeaderBackground,
FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits));
/* Below are Get & Set as usual */
}
It kind of works, but somehow not throughout the visual tree. Here is a screenshot showing ContentPresenter that inherit value from HeaderedDesignerItemChrome:
And now, a screenshot showing content of the ContentPresenter, and it does not inherit the value. Nor it is set to something else - it is a default value:
Any idea why?
Using this is not that straight forward since there are some rules that need to be followed to implement property with inheritable values. Here they are:
On parent, dependency property must be defined as attached property. You can still declare property getter/setter, but property must be attached. Here is simple declaration:
public static readonly DependencyProperty InheritedValueProperty =
DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("InheritedValue",
typeof(int), typeof(MyClass), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(0,
FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits));
public static int GetInheritedValue(DependencyObject target)
{
return (int)target.GetValue(InheritedValueProperty);
}
public static void SetInheritedValue(DependencyObject target, int value)
{
target.SetValue(InheritedValueProperty, value);
}
public int InheritedValue
{
get
{
return GetTimeSlotDuration(this);
}
set
{
SetTimeSlotDuration(this, value);
}
}
Child objects would define their instance of the property with inherited value using AddOwner. Following is the code that goes into say MyChildClass sample class:
public static readonly DependencyProperty InheritedValueProperty;
public int InheritedValue
{
get
{
return (int)GetValue(InheritedValueProperty);
}
set
{
SetValue(InheritedValueProperty, value);
}
}
static MyChildClass()
{
InheritedValueProperty =
MyClass.InheritedValueProperty.AddOwner(typeof(MyChildClass),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(0,
FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits));
}
The global default value is preserved and inheritance still works, if the single argument overload is used...
MyClass.InheritedValueProperty.AddOwner(typeof(MyChildClass));
Note that property is in child class declared as standard dependency property and that it specifies Inherit in meta-data options.
With setup like this now when MyChildClass in parented to MyClass visually or logically they will share the same property value automatically.
So technically, what you see in the Visual Tree is doing what you told it to do. It set the default value that you told it to and the inherited controls inherit from the value of the parent which is your ContentPresenter
Eliminating one of the two ContentPresenters (visible on both screenshots just above DesignerItemsPresenter) worked for me. I am inclined to believe that was a bug in WPF framework itself.
I have a custom class, MyPerson. All (relevant) properties implement INotifyPropertyChanged.
I created a UserControl to display it, and it all worked fine. Binding to properties like MyPerson.FirstName (a string) all work - they display and update (two way binding) as expected.
Now I want to do more complex stuff in the codebehind, so I wanted to create a DependencyProperty with a PropertyType of MyPerson, but I'm not sure how to construct the DependencyProperty, in particular the PropertyChangedCallback part.
Can this be done? How so?
Read on this article - Custom Dependency Properties
Something like -
public static readonly DependencyProperty MyPersonValueProperty =
DependencyProperty.Register( "MyPersonValue", typeof(MyPerson),
typeof(MyPersonControl), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(null,
FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.AffectsRender,
new PropertyChangedCallback(OnPersonChanged) ) );
public MyPerson ThePerson
{
get { return (MyPerson)GetValue(MyPersonValueProperty); }
set { SetValue(MyPersonValueProperty, value); }
}
private static void OnPersonChanged(DependencyObject d,
DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
// Property change code here
}
I'm not quite sure if I've got the right grasp on this or not, what I've read seems to agree with what I'm trying to do, however It doesn't seem to be working.
If I add an additional owner to a dependency property of a class, whenever the orig class dp changes, the change should get propagated to the additional owner, correct?
What I have is a custom control, which I want to set a property on, and then on certain objects that are within the custom control data template inherit this property value.
public class Class1: DependencyObject{
public static readonly DependencyProperty LongDayHeadersProperty;
public bool LongDayHeaders {
get { return (bool)GetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty); }
set { SetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty, value); }
}
static Class1(){
LongDayHeadersProperty = DependencyProperty.Register("LongDayHeaders", typeof(bool), typeof(Class1),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(true, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits));
}
}
public class Class2: DependecyObject{
public static readonly DependencyProperty LongDayHeadersProperty;
public bool LongDayHeaders{
get{ return(bool)GetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty); }
set{ SetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty, value); }
}
static Class2(){
LongDayHeadersProperty = Class1.LongDayHeadersProperty.AddOwner(typeof(Class2));
}
}
But if I assign a DependencyPropertyDescriptor to both properties, it only fires for the Class1 and Class2 doesn't change.
Have I missed something in my understanding?
UPDATE
After some testing, I'm not even sure if my child control is considered a child control within the logical or visual tree. I think it is, but the lack of success leads me to believe otherwise.
There a many class2's which exist in an observable collection of class1. This, to me, makes them childs of class1? But even if I use RegisterAttach on class2, and set the property in class1, it doesn't seem to have any effect?
As MSDN states, the Inherits flag only works when you use RegisterAttached to create the property. You can still use the property syntax for the property.
Update
For clarity, here is how I would define the properties:
public class Class1 : FrameworkElement
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty LongDayHeadersProperty =
DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("LongDayHeaders",
typeof(bool),
typeof(Class1),
new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(true, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.Inherits));
public bool LongDayHeaders
{
get { return (bool)GetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty); }
set { SetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty, value); }
}
}
public class Class2: FrameworkElement
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty LongDayHeadersProperty =
Class1.LongDayHeadersProperty.AddOwner(typeof(Class2));
public bool LongDayHeaders
{
get{ return(bool)GetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty); }
set{ SetValue(LongDayHeadersProperty, value); }
}
}
If you want your children to be logical children of your control, you need to call the AddLogicalChild. Also, you should expose them through the LogicalChildren property. I must also point out that both classes must derive from FrameworkElement or FrameworkContentElement, as the logical tree is only defined for these elements.
Since you are using an ObservableCollection, you would handle the collection changed events and Add/Remove the children depending on the change. Also, the LogicalChildren property can just return your collection's enumerator.
You are confusing DependencyProperties with Attached (Dependency) Properties.
A DP is for when a class wants bindable, stylable etc properties on itself. Just like .NET properties, they are scoped within their classes. You can register for a property changed event on individual objects, but not globally. TextBox.Text is an example of this. Note that Label.Text is unrelated to TextBox.Text.
An AP is for when a class wants to decorate another object with additional properties. The class that declares the AP is able to listen for property changed events on ALL instances of other objects that have this AP set. Canvas.Left is an example of this. Note that you always have to qualify this setter: <Label Text="Hi" Canvas.Left="50"/>
I'm creating an attached behavior in order to set a regular property of a class:
public class LookupHelper
{
public static readonly DependencyProperty ItemsSourceProperty = DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("ItemsSource", typeof(object), typeof(LookupHelper), new UIPropertyMetadata(null, OnItemsSourceChanged));
private static void OnItemsSourceChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
var control = d as MyControl;
if(control == null)
return;
control.ItemsSource = (IEnumerable)e.NewValue;
}
public static object GetItemsSource(GridColumn column)
{
return column.GetValue(ItemsSourceProperty);
}
public static void SetItemsSource(GridColumn column, object value)
{
column.SetValue(ItemsSourceProperty, value);
}
}
Here, ItemsSource property on MyControl is a regular property, so I can not bind it in Xaml, hence this attached behavior.
Now, when I use this attached property using string or objects it works and breakpoint I set is hit, but when I set it with Binding markup, it never runs. Why isn't this working?
<MyControl ctrl:LookupHelper.ItemsSource="DataSource"/>; //It works
<MyControl ctrl:LookupHelper.ItemsSource="{Binding Path=MyDataSource}"/>; //Does not work
What I need to do is to set the ItemsSource property to the value specified by the Binding.
In your Get and Set methods, you're defining the receiving object as GridColumn where it should be DependencyObject.
You might also want to change the type of your DP from object to IEnumerable since your casting to that in your change handler.
Can you please post the markup you are using? Also, If the actual property exists on an object and makes sense there then I think you should be using a regular dependency property on that object instead of an attached property on a helper class.
Edit
From MSDN:
The signature for the GetPropertyName accessor must be:
public static object GetPropertyName(object target)
and the signature for the SetPropertyName accessor must be:
public static void SetPropertyName(object target, object value)
In your case, is GridColumn the correct target type?
I've got a custom control which has a DependencyProperty MyAnimal - I'm binding an Animal Property on my ViewModel to the MyAnimal DependencyProperty.
I've stuck a TextBox on the Control so I can trigger an Event - whenever I trigger the event the MyAnimal property has been set - however if I put a break point on the Setter of the MyAnimal property it never gets fired!
I guess I'm missing something fundamental about WPF Dependency Properties/Binding?!
And so my question is, if I can't use the Setter how can I find out when its been set? If I put if I put a break point after InitializeComponent() its null and I had a look to see if theres an Event a can hook up to - DatabindingFinished or similar? but can't see what it would be ...
Can anyone assist please?
Thanks,
Andy
public partial class ControlStrip
{
public ControlStrip()
{
InitializeComponent();
}
public Animal MyAnimal
{
get
{
return (Animal)GetValue(MyAnimalProperty);
}
set
{
SetValue(MyAnimalProperty, value);
}
}
public static readonly DependencyProperty MyAnimalProperty =
DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("MyAnimal", typeof (Animal), typeof (ControlStrip));
private void TextBox_TextChanged(object sender, System.Windows.Controls.TextChangedEventArgs e)
{
var myAnimal = MyAnimal;
MessageBox.Show(myAnimal.Name);
}
}
The setter methods are never called by the runtime. They go directly to the DependencyProperty. You will need to add an additional argument to your call to RegisterAttached(). There you can add a PropertyChangedCallback.
Here is some sample code:
public static readonly DependencyProperty MyAnimalProperty =
DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("MyAnimal", typeof (Animal), typeof (ControlStrip), new PropertyMetadata(AnimalChanged));
private static void AnimalChanged(DependencyObject obj, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
// Do work here
}
The setter is only there for your use - you actually can leave the property off entirely, since DataBinding uses the actual DependencyProperty itself, not the CLR property.
If you need to see when the property changes, you will need to specify PropertyMetadata on your dependency property, and provide a PropertyChangedCallback.
For details, I recommend reading Dependency Property Metadata.