How do I build a DataTemplate in c# code?

Question

I am trying to build a dropdown list for a winform interop, and I am creating the dropdown in code. However, I have a problem getting the data to bind based on the DataTemplate I specify.

What am I missing?

drpCreditCardNumberWpf = new ComboBox();  
DataTemplate cardLayout = new DataTemplate {DataType = typeof (CreditCardPayment)};   
StackPanel sp = new StackPanel
{
    Orientation = System.Windows.Controls.Orientation.Vertical
};   

TextBlock cardHolder = new TextBlock {ToolTip = "Card Holder Name"};
cardHolder.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, "BillToName");
sp.Children.Add(cardHolder);

TextBlock cardNumber = new TextBlock {ToolTip = "Credit Card Number"};
cardNumber.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, "SafeNumber");
sp.Children.Add(cardNumber);

TextBlock notes = new TextBlock {ToolTip = "Notes"};
notes.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, "Notes");
sp.Children.Add(notes);

cardLayout.Resources.Add(sp, null);

drpCreditCardNumberWpf.ItemTemplate = cardLayout;

Answer 1

Assuming that you've already set up the ItemsSource etc for drpCreditCardNumberWpf...

//create the data template
DataTemplate cardLayout = new DataTemplate();
cardLayout.DataType = typeof(CreditCardPayment);

//set up the stack panel
FrameworkElementFactory spFactory = new FrameworkElementFactory(typeof(StackPanel));
spFactory.Name = "myComboFactory";
spFactory.SetValue(StackPanel.OrientationProperty, Orientation.Horizontal);

//set up the card holder textblock
FrameworkElementFactory cardHolder = new FrameworkElementFactory(typeof(TextBlock));
cardHolder.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, new Binding("BillToName"));
cardHolder.SetValue(TextBlock.ToolTipProperty, "Card Holder Name");
spFactory.AppendChild(cardHolder);

//set up the card number textblock
FrameworkElementFactory cardNumber = new FrameworkElementFactory(typeof(TextBlock));
cardNumber.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, new Binding("SafeNumber"));
cardNumber.SetValue(TextBlock.ToolTipProperty, "Credit Card Number");
spFactory.AppendChild(cardNumber);

//set up the notes textblock
FrameworkElementFactory notes = new FrameworkElementFactory(typeof(TextBlock));
notes.SetBinding(TextBlock.TextProperty, new Binding("Notes"));
notes.SetValue(TextBlock.ToolTipProperty, "Notes");
spFactory.AppendChild(notes);

//set the visual tree of the data template
cardLayout.VisualTree = spFactory;

//set the item template to be our shiny new data template
drpCreditCardNumberWpf.ItemTemplate = cardLayout;

You can use the same way I have set the ToolTip on the TextBlocks to set other properties such as margins.

Answer 2

Well, indeed we still have another way, you will really like it if you dislike those FrameworkElementFactory things.

And I think it just makes minor changes to the natural code, that is, declare a UserControl and put your control into it, and then, use just one FrameworkElementFactory to call the UserControl.

Simple demo code (in F#):

let buildView()=StackPanel()
//Build it with natural code
type MyView()=inherit UserControl(Content=buildView())
let factory=FrameworkElementFactory(typeof<MyView>)
let template=DataTemplate(VisualTree=factory)
let list=ItemsControl(ItemsSource=makeData(),ItemTemplate=template)