Re: Configuration file - C# Discussion Boards

C# API to generate PDF files from XSL:FO

MrEyes22-Dec-03 4:21

22-Dec-03 4:21

Is anybody aware of anything (API) out there that will generate a PDF file using an XSL:FO file that can be integrated into a C# application?

Here be more info :
I am currently working on an application that pulls data from a MSSQL database and put this into a PDF document. For various reasons I am tied to using a fully C# based open source solution. Although these rules can be "bent" if I find a fast non C#/Closed Source implementation.

I have come across a J# port (http://sourceforge.net/projects/nfop) of Apache FOP (http://xml.apache.org/fop) but unfortunatly I have been unable to locate a C# port (with the exception of http://sourceforge.net/projects/fop-dotnet which isnt even 30% completed). Both FOP and nFOP work fine, but they are too slow (FOP - 6 secs average, nFOP - 20 secs average)

In my search for a decent solution, I have played around with iTextSharp (http://sourceforge.net/projects/itextsharp) which requires me to create the entire document in code and doesnt support templates. I have also found Report.NET (http://sourceforge.net/projects/report/) and iSEDquickpdf(http://www.sedtech.com/isedquickpdf/). Both of which suffer from the same problem as iTextSharp. Creating the entire document within code isnt feasible as any change to the document layout would require a recompile and re-release, whereas with XSLT/FO templates any changes can be done in a matter of seconds. There is one solution I have found at http://www.antennahouse.com/ the problem here is that it is far to costly ($5000+).

Having searched through the forums here, it seems that this question has only been asked once before, and it unfortunatly turned into a flame war, so no answers to be found there.

So back to the original question : Is anybody aware of anything (API) out there that will generate a PDF file using an XSL:FO file that can be integrated into a C# application?

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Re: C# API to generate PDF files from XSL:FO

Philip Fitzsimons22-Dec-03 4:37

Philip Fitzsimons

22-Dec-03 4:37

http://www.xmlpdf.com/ibex.html[^] works well for me.

be aware that XSL-FO is always going to be slower than other rendering techniques due to the XML overhead.

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, a sore thumb you will have."

Re: C# API to generate PDF files from XSL:FO

MrEyes22-Dec-03 5:17

MrEyes

22-Dec-03 5:17

In my travels through this problem, I havent come across this one.

So I downloaded their evaluation version, and unfortunatly it doesnt work correctly. The PDF I am using has a fairly complex table layout, and also has various embedded images. This renders fine in nFOP and Apache FOP but XMLPDF doesnt seem to able to render these correctly.

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global variable in c#

Anonymous22-Dec-03 4:06

Anonymous

22-Dec-03 4:06

I came from a VB background. How do I declare a global variable (collection in c#).
I have a combo box in multiple winform that get populate by a table in the DB,I want to read the table into a collection then populate the form each time it loads instead of read from the DB.

Re: global variable in c#

ThoWeib22-Dec-03 4:28

ThoWeib

22-Dec-03 4:28

You can't.
What you can do is declaring a public property on the main form which contains the collection, and then accessing this property from whereever you need the collection. Or you use this property as a parameter when calling the other forms.
But a global variable can't be created (and they are evil, I'm told...;)).

Re: global variable in c#

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:30

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:30

In .NET (true for any language that targets the CLR) there is no such thing as global variables. Instead, though, you can create a class with static fields or properties (properties are usually recommended because you can validate inputs and use logic in your get or set accessors that access a private field. This has the same result, though, at least per AppDomain (if you need a "global" to span multiple AppDomains, you should consider a ContextBoundObject).

public class Globals
{
  private static object someProperty;
  // Prevents instantiation
  private Globals()
  {
  }
  public static object SomeProperty
  {
    get { return someProperty; }
    set { someProperty = value; }
  }
}

If you need the power of a singleton, search the comments of this forum for a recent thread discussing various options. Just use the keyword "singleton", of course.

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.21
GCS/G/MU d- s: a- C++++ UL@ P++(+++) L+(--) E--- W+++ N++ o+ K? w++++ O- M(+) V? PS-- PE Y++ PGP++ t++@ 5 X+++ R+@ tv+ b(-)>b++ DI++++ D+ G e++>+++ h---* r+++ y+++
-----END GEEK CODE BLOCK-----

Configuration file

Mazdak22-Dec-03 3:31

Mazdak

22-Dec-03 3:31

How can I write to my application configuration file from my application?

Mazy

No sig. available now.

Re: Configuration file

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:26

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:26

There is not built-in support for writing app configs, but you can use the System.Xml classes to manipulate the XML DOM. Note that your application will not see these settings until restarted, though. I did post several replies to similar questions in the recent past, so search the comments of this forum, using the AppDomainSetup keyword.

As far as writing to the config, you have to remember one very important thing: leave other settings untouched! Users may have customized how the CLR runs your app or even customized settings for your program (like, in <appSettings>) that you don't want to overwrite. Nick wrote one article about this: http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/config_settings.asp[^]. There are others, too.

Registry or Special Folders?

Ken Galer22-Dec-03 3:25

Ken Galer

22-Dec-03 3:25

twoPartQuestion = true;

1) When storing application state information such as window position, comm port settings, etc... should I be using the registry or special folders? I'm writing for Win2K or newer if that makes a difference.

2) If/when using special folders, what is a good way to format the data that needs to be saved? I'm thinking of a couple ways:

- Making a struct that contains all of the data that needs to be saved and serializing it as XML to a file.

- Using ADO.NET and making a table that is serialized to XML and saved in a file.

Is there a preferred or normal way to handle this data?

Thanks,

Ken Galer
Electrical Engineer
Preferred Utilities Corp.
Danbury, CT 06810

Re: Registry or Special Folders?

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:21

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:21

Ken Galer wrote:
should I be using the registry or special folders

Never use the registry unless you have to. This breaks XCOPY deployment (at least with base settings). It's also not recommended because...well...it's just not! Smile | :)

As far as serializing to an XML file, this is pretty common but it is up to you how, when, and where. There is no "standard". You could use the XML serialization attributes in System.Xml.Serialization, a DataSet (both of which you said), or write-out an XML file using the DOM.

Do a search here on CP and you'll find several articles about writing-out XML files, or appending data to the .config file for your app (true, just another XML file, but a specially named one if you wanted to use an IConfigurationSectionHandler like other settings). I believe Nick Parker wrote a good one on that, so you could search for articles from him.

keyboard event listener

hazzem elrefai22-Dec-03 1:48

hazzem elrefai

22-Dec-03 1:48

i have win form and i have registered keyboard event for it
but it doesn't work

////////////////////////
this.KeyDown += new System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventHandler(this.MainForm_KeyDown);
////////////////////////
private void MainForm_KeyDown(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs e)
{
MessageBox.Show(e.KeyValue.ToString());
}
////////////////////////

but when i press any key on my keyboard, i doesn't recieve any thing.

thnx in advance

Re: keyboard event listener

hazzem elrefai22-Dec-03 1:49

hazzem elrefai

22-Dec-03 1:49

i recieve nothing.....
thnx

Re: keyboard event listener

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:16

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:16

If another Control has the focus (and it most likely does), you won't receive keyboard events. You have to set Form.KeyPreview to true. Then you should have better results.

Re: keyboard event listener

hazzem elrefai22-Dec-03 20:20

hazzem elrefai

22-Dec-03 20:20

but i wanna listen to more than one key
like "ctrl+h" or like this

Re: keyboard event listener

Heath Stewart23-Dec-03 2:33

Heath Stewart

23-Dec-03 2:33

As far as text in your console app go, you can use the Console.In properties (a TextReader) to grab typeable characters like "h". When you get input like this, call the GetKeyState method (after P/Invoking it, of course) to determine whether or not a modifier key is pressed.

how to set 8 px gap at front and back of the button's caption

my_res22-Dec-03 1:27

my_res

22-Dec-03 1:27

Hi
I am working on setting width of button depends on caption string width.
But I not able to find exact width of the string , using Graph.MeasureString

I have to set exactly 8 px gap at front and back..

Can any body help me pls..

Thanks

Re: how to set 8 px gap at front and back of the button's caption

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:15

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:15

If you need a Graphics object while not doing any painting, use the Button.CreateGraphics method (inherited from Control.CreateGraphics). See the documentation for MeasureString. It is an easy method to use and will calculate the SizeF (convert members to int when setting the appropriate properties) of the string, taking the Font into account:

Graphics g = button1.CreateGraphics;
SizeF s = g.MeasureString("Some Text", button1.Font);
button1.Width = (int)s.Width;
button1.Height = (int)s.Height;

CSharp Certification

Member 33502222-Dec-03 0:07

Member 335022

22-Dec-03 0:07

Does any one of u know how to get certified (from microsoft)
in C#.
Also is there any help availble on the topics issued by microsoft.
please give the exact links (if possible)

Re: CSharp Certification

Kannan Kalyanaraman22-Dec-03 0:09

Kannan Kalyanaraman

22-Dec-03 0:09

MCAD[^]

Re: CSharp Certification

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:11

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:11

Ooh, here's a topic I love to tear apart!

Make sure you actually know what you're talking about before getting certified. Sure, it looks good on resumes but if you don't know what you're talking about and tout your certifications to people that do, you not only look like an idiot but make certifications look bad.

Personally, I am not certified because I really don't want to be. I know a large number of people with certifications that know crap. They studied for the tests, memorized a few things, took the tests (sometimes a couple times) and got their certs. They're still idiots.

That's not to say certifications are bad. Like I said, they do look good on resumes (the only reason I might someday do it if I have time...I already have the material and study books) and can up your salary at hire-time (or even at a current job if you work for that kind of company). Just make sure you have the knowledge to back it up!

That being said, you can also get your MCSD. Take the MCADs and pay attention to the courses you take. Take a look at the MCSDs and you'll find that MCAD - with the right courses - is a subset of MCSDs. There's only like a couple more tests you have to take if you take the subset of courses that get you your MCAD.

Good luck!

Problem in opening Crystal Report after deploying with C# application in windows 98

KRathor21-Dec-03 20:09

KRathor

21-Dec-03 20:09

Hello,

I'm deploying an application in windows 98. My application uses some crystal reports. I'm using NON-EMBEDED reports in my application and have included rpt files separately in setup project. My application is running fine but throws axception (load report failed) when i try to open report. I already have included Merge Modules in my Setup project for Crystal Report with License Key. Same application is opening crystal reports fine when i deploy in Windows 2000 or XP. But why is it not Loading report in Windows 98.

If anyone has an idea, what else i need to open report after deployment in Windows 98, please reply.

thanks.

Re: Problem in opening Crystal Report after deploying with C# application in windows 98

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 4:02

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 4:02

You might need to distribute updated MSVCRT merge modules (and related MSMs). The managed Crystal Reports are completely managed and do depend on somewhat newer VC++ libraries. Win98 might now have these, depending on what programs are installed. Including them won't hurt, though, besides making the MSI slightly larger (not much).

Editor - HTML

Member 37804121-Dec-03 18:29

Member 378041

21-Dec-03 18:29

I would like to develop editor. This editor needs to open a HTML file and edit the content and save it. If the user needs to see HTML command then editor will able to see it.

Could you advise any one which is the good idea and how to finish faster way?

Thanks in advance

baski

Re: Editor - HTML

Heath Stewart22-Dec-03 3:46

Heath Stewart

22-Dec-03 3:46

You can use the WebBrowser control, often refered to as Internet Explorer. There is a property that puts the WebBrowser control in design-mode. This (or MSHTML, which the WebBrowser control hosts but doesn't provide as rich an API) is often what WYSIWYG editors use like FrontPage, VS.NET, and several others. You can also create interop assemblies for other interfaces that aren't in Microsoft.mshtml.dll to better control things, like drawing grips/anchors for controls and what-not.

There are some articles dealing with that topic here on CP as well as on the 'net:

Using the WebBrowser control in .NET[^] (see toward the bottom for how to turn designMode on)
Using MSHTML Advanced Hosting Interface[^] (not about design-mode, but about hosting the WebBrowser control so you can customize context menus, which also leads into other customizations if you read the about the other interfaces)
Programming and Reusing the Browser[^] (contains links to editing information)
Advanced Hosting Reference[^]
MSHTML Editing[^]

Re: Editor - HTML

Member 37804122-Dec-03 14:00

Member 378041

22-Dec-03 14:00

Hi,

Thanks for your information. I would like to clarify something, Actually I have windows forms (like notepad), this notepad able to open a HTML file then user will able to see the text only but source documents , where to reside? Actually, If the user need to see source document, they able to see. Could you give me which one is better idea and finish it faster?

Thanks in advance!!

bask

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