We have released the first beta version of our EntitySpaces DotNetNuke ASCX Admin Grid Template Suite. Check out the demo here.

Here is an overview of the features:

• All of the databases supported by EntitySpaces should work with these templates
• The ASCX controls generated build upon your already created EntitySpaces Classes
• Both C# and VB.NET ASCX controls can be generated*
• The look and feel of the ASCX controls are managed by a very simple style sheet
• The generated ASCX controls use the new ASP.NET MultiView/View controls
• Browse, Detail, Edit, and Search modes can be generated automatically
• You control what columns to display and in what order
• All column headers are clickable and sort the GridView(s)
• Required fields use the ASP.NET RequiredFieldValidator control
• Foreign Keys are mapped to Url's in detail mode and combo-boxes in edit mode
• Relationships can be mapped to subgrids in detail mode

*During the beta period there will only be a C# version. After user testing, if no issues arrise we will create the VB version. Both Versions will be available to all customers.

Files

The template is installed into the EntitySpaces\C#\Web and EntitySpaces\VB\Web folders respectively in MyGeneration. GridLoader.zip the DotNetNuke module that loads the generated ASCX controls is installed in Program Files\EntitySpaces\DotNetNuke\C# and Program Files\EntitySpaces\DotNetNuke\VB respectively.

Usage

1. Add the needed EntitySpaces assemblies, and web.config entries to your DotNetNuke portal. For detailed instructions on how to do this see here.
2. Install the GridLoader.zip DotNetNuke module like you would any other. Because we are using the new dynamic compilation model of ASP.NET 2.0 you must also add the directoryName key to the codeSubDirectorySection of your web.config as seen below(this is only necessary if you are using the C# version). You will see a commented out example in the appropriate location of your web.config if you have never done this before.
   
   <codeSubDirectories>
        <add DirectoryName="GridLoader" />
   </codeSubDirectories>
   
   
3. Generate your EntitySpaces classes for your tables/views just like normal and upload them to /App_Code/GridLoader/Custom and /App_Code/GridLoader/Generated
4. Generate your ASCX controls and upload them to /DesktopModules/GridLoader/
5. Think about how easy EntitySpaces makes your life and have a beer.

You will find a new installer for this template suite on the downloads page under the products menu entry. This template suite will not be lincluded in the trial version of EntitySpaces. These templates are intended to provide the ability to administer databases over the web from within your DotNetNuke portal. This chore is typically overlooked although it is really very needed. Such admin screens can eat up quite a bit of development time and they are much easier to generate, and change when your database schema does. The demo module on our site is 100% generated no hand coding was done.

These templates are not currently supported on the same level as the templates that generate the EntitySpaces classes. Work on the new features in the upcoming 1.5 release will take priority. That being said we will of course address an issues that might arise as time allows.

See the PDF file that describes the usage of ASPX version of the template. All functionality and operations are exactly the same for the DotNetNuke ASCX version, with the exception of the "Use Master Pages"option.