The Data Grid control is a grid control that can present information about elements in a single package (it is NOT recursive) or an existing EA search in a table.
Subject to any read only restrictions set by the designer, the user also can make changes to the displayed fields as well as add new elements by entering data in a new row at run time.
A simple example is shown below where a simple list is provided and the user can modify the status.
Although this is a trivial example and something that can readily be done within EA using the View as List option, the power comes from the ability to do this:
1. Without a diagram
2. Specify the fields that are relevant to your users
3. Perform all these with any MDG or a set of MDG's within the same form
4. Include check box
Information relating to adding a Datagrid
Using the Datagrid
The Datagrid control presents a table that can be configured to contain a wide range of information associated with either elements or packages contained within packages or elements contained within elements.
The table contents may be filtered by type and stereotype to display that information which meets the designers needs.
At run time the user can editor those fields that have been enabled (i.e. not flagged as read only); they can also create new elements that will be placed under the current package or element - see below.
Also the user can access the elements listed by double clicking on the selected item, at which point the appropriate eaForm will be launched.
| • | Datagrid definition - the designer can add row by moving down in the table ( a potential new row is added every time a row is populated, but not included in the definition until content is provided). |
| • | Datagrid definition - the designer can delete, move rows using the right click context menu |
| • | Datagird sizing - the Edit Datagrid properties dialog is changing, but not fully implemented yet. |
What you see is a box below the table definitions which will provide a WYSIWYG view of the sizing, column widths and fonts for the run time datagrid.
This is not working yet!!
Creating new elements at run time
The user of an eaForm can create new elements at run time by creating a new row at the bottom of the datagrid provided the datagrid includes "element.name" as a column. With this column defined, if any data is entered in the row then a new item will be created, even if the name has not been defined - a name "UN-NAMED"
Also note that if multiple stereotypes have been defined for presentation it will be the MDG type (Stereotype) for MDG's and the selected Main Stereotype for EA Core Elements that is used when creating any new element.
BUT beware - we have provided flexibility in this control and hence care should be take to ensure that the definition is complete.
Combo list values
When selecting a combo list display a comma separated list should be entered. When there is a need to values that contain "," the designer can specify the tokens with square [] brackets e..g. [<100],[200],[10,000],[>10,000] - the brackets are not displayed. If brackets are used they MUST be used for all items in the list
Default values for ComboBox
When a datagrid is presented which contains ComboBox selection columns the value shown will be that of the underlying element field. When creating a new element row and if the designer has set a default value this will be presented.
Control specific attributes
| • | Datagrid properties - a datagrid properties window is presented to allow the designer to provide all the detail needed in defining the datagrid |
| • | Enabled - means that the control will be presented at run-time - the default is that the control will be presented. |
| • | Autosize - relates to controls that will adjust their size to the contents - e.g. labels, buttons |
| • | Tab order - is the sequence number that is used by windows to move through the controls at run time |
| • | Anchor - this sets the reference point of the form against which the control is fixed and affects the movement of the control if the run time form is resized. Valid values consist of a combination of these letters to indicate where the control is locked |
- T (top)
- B (bottom)
- L (left)
- R (right)