How to: Apply Attributes in Windows Forms Controls

To develop components and controls that interact correctly with the design environment and execute correctly at run time, you need to apply attributes correctly to classes and members.

Example

The following code example demonstrates how to use several attributes on a custom control. The control demonstrates a simple logging capability. When the control is bound to a data source, it displays the values sent by the data source in a DataGridView control. If a value exceeds the value specified by the Threshold property, a ThresholdExceeded event is raised.

The AttributesDemoControl logs values with a LogEntry class. The LogEntry class is a template class, which means it is parameterized on the type that it logs. For example, if the AttributesDemoControl is logging values of type float, each LogEntry instance is declared and used as follows.

// This method handles the timer's Elapsed event. It queries
// the performance counter for the next value, packs the
// value in a LogEntry object, and adds the new LogEntry to
// the list managed by the BindingSource.
private void timer1_Elapsed(
 object sender,
 System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs e)
{	
 // Get the latest value from the performance counter.
 float val = this.performanceCounter1.NextValue();

 // The performance counter returns values of type float,
 // but any type that implements the IComparable interface
 // will work.
 LogEntry<float> entry = new LogEntry<float>(val, DateTime.Now);

 // Add the new LogEntry to the BindingSource list.
 this.bindingSource1.Add(entry);
}

' This method handles the timer's Elapsed event. It queries
' the performance counter for the next value, packs the 
' value in a LogEntry object, and adds the new LogEntry to
' the list managed by the BindingSource.
 Private Sub timer1_Elapsed( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs) _
 Handles timer1.Elapsed

 ' Get the latest value from the performance counter.
 Dim val As Single = Me.performanceCounter1.NextValue()

 ' The performance counter returns values of type float, 
 ' but any type that implements the IComparable interface
 ' will work.
 Dim entry As LogEntry(Of Single) = _
 New LogEntry(Of Single)(val, DateTime.Now)

 ' Add the new LogEntry to the BindingSource list.
 Me.bindingSource1.Add(entry)
 End Sub

The form that hosts the AttributesDemoControl queries a performance counter periodically. Each value is packaged in a LogEntry of the appropriate type and added to the form's BindingSource. The AttributesDemoControl receives the value through its data binding and displays the value in a DataGridView control.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.ComponentModel.Design;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Data;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;

// This sample demonstrates the use of various attributes for
// authoring a control.
namespace AttributesDemoControlLibrary
{
 // This is the event handler delegate for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 public delegate void ThresholdExceededEventHandler(ThresholdExceededEventArgs e);

 // This control demonstrates a simple logging capability.
 [ComplexBindingProperties("DataSource", "DataMember")]
 [DefaultBindingProperty("TitleText")]
 [DefaultEvent("ThresholdExceeded")]
 [DefaultProperty("Threshold")]
 [HelpKeywordAttribute(typeof(UserControl))]
 [ToolboxItem("System.Windows.Forms.Design.AutoSizeToolboxItem,System.Design")]
 public class AttributesDemoControl : UserControl
 {

 // This backs the Threshold property.
 private object thresholdValue;

 // The default fore color value for DataGridView cells that
 // contain values that exceed the threshold.
 private static Color defaultAlertForeColorValue = Color.White;

 // The default back color value for DataGridView cells that
 // contain values that exceed the threshold.
 private static Color defaultAlertBackColorValue = Color.Red;

 // The ambient color value.
 private static Color ambientColorValue = Color.Empty;

 // The fore color value for DataGridView cells that
 // contain values that exceed the threshold.
 private Color alertForeColorValue = defaultAlertForeColorValue;

 // The back color value for DataGridView cells that
 // contain values that exceed the threshold.
 private Color alertBackColorValue = defaultAlertBackColorValue;

 // Child controls that comprise this UserControl.
 private TableLayoutPanel tableLayoutPanel1;
 private DataGridView dataGridView1;
 private Label label1;

 // Required for designer support.
 private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;

 // Default constructor.
 public AttributesDemoControl()
 {
 InitializeComponent();
 }

 [Category("Appearance")]
 [Description("The title of the log data.")]
 [DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Visible)]
 [Localizable(true)]
 [HelpKeywordAttribute("AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl.TitleText")]
 public string TitleText
 {
 get
 {
 return this.label1.Text;
 }

 set
 {
 this.label1.Text = value;
 }
 }

 // The inherited Text property is hidden at design time and
 // raises an exception at run time. This enforces a requirement
 // that client code uses the TitleText property instead.
 [Browsable(false)]
 [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
 [DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Hidden)]
 public override string Text
 {
 get
 {
 throw new NotSupportedException();
 }
 set
 {
 throw new NotSupportedException();
 }
 }

 [AmbientValue(typeof(Color), "Empty")]
 [Category("Appearance")]
 [DefaultValue(typeof(Color), "White")]
 [Description("The color used for painting alert text.")]
 public Color AlertForeColor
 {
 get
 {
 if (this.alertForeColorValue == Color.Empty &&
 this.Parent != null)
 {
 return Parent.ForeColor;
 }

 return this.alertForeColorValue;
 }

 set
 {
 this.alertForeColorValue = value;
 }
 }

 // This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
 // property to its default value.
 public void ResetAlertForeColor()
 {
 this.AlertForeColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertForeColorValue;
 }

 // This method indicates to designers whether the property
 // value is different from the ambient value, in which case
 // the designer should persist the value.
 private bool ShouldSerializeAlertForeColor()
 {
 return (this.alertForeColorValue != AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue);
 }

 [AmbientValue(typeof(Color), "Empty")]
 [Category("Appearance")]
 [DefaultValue(typeof(Color), "Red")]
 [Description("The background color for painting alert text.")]
 public Color AlertBackColor
 {
 get
 {
 if (this.alertBackColorValue == Color.Empty &&
 this.Parent != null)
 {
 return Parent.BackColor;
 }

 return this.alertBackColorValue;
 }

 set
 {
 this.alertBackColorValue = value;
 }
 }

 // This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
 // property to its default value.
 public void ResetAlertBackColor()
 {
 this.AlertBackColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertBackColorValue;
 }

 // This method indicates to designers whether the property
 // value is different from the ambient value, in which case
 // the designer should persist the value.
 private bool ShouldSerializeAlertBackColor()
 {
 return (this.alertBackColorValue != AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue);
 }

 [Category("Data")]
 [Description("Indicates the source of data for the control.")]
 [RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)]
 [AttributeProvider(typeof(IListSource))]
 public object DataSource
 {
 get
 {
 return this.dataGridView1.DataSource;
 }

 set
 {
 this.dataGridView1.DataSource = value;
 }
 }

 [Category("Data")]
 [Description("Indicates a sub-list of the data source to show in the control.")]
 public string DataMember
 {
 get
 {
 return this.dataGridView1.DataMember;
 }

 set
 {
 this.dataGridView1.DataMember = value;
 }
 }

 // This property would normally have its BrowsableAttribute
 // set to false, but this code demonstrates using
 // ReadOnlyAttribute, so BrowsableAttribute is true to show
 // it in any attached PropertyGrid control.
 [Browsable(true)]
 [Category("Behavior")]
 [Description("The timestamp of the latest entry.")]
 [ReadOnly(true)]
 public DateTime CurrentLogTime
 {
 get
 {
 int lastRowIndex =
 this.dataGridView1.Rows.GetLastRow(
 DataGridViewElementStates.Visible);

 if (lastRowIndex > -1)
 {
 DataGridViewRow lastRow = this.dataGridView1.Rows[lastRowIndex];
 DataGridViewCell lastCell = lastRow.Cells["EntryTime"];
 return ((DateTime)lastCell.Value);
 }
 else
 {
 return DateTime.MinValue;
 }
 }

 set
 {
 }
 }

 [Category("Behavior")]
 [Description("The value above which the ThresholdExceeded event will be raised.")]
 public object Threshold
 {
 get
 {
 return this.thresholdValue;
 }

 set
 {
 this.thresholdValue = value;
 }
 }

 // This property exists only to demonstrate the
 // PasswordPropertyText attribute. When this control
 // is attached to a PropertyGrid control, the returned
 // string will be displayed with obscuring characters
 // such as asterisks. This property has no other effect.
 [Category("Security")]
 [Description("Demonstrates PasswordPropertyTextAttribute.")]
 [PasswordPropertyText(true)]
 public string Password
 {
 get
 {
 return "This is a demo password.";
 }
 }

 // This property exists only to demonstrate the
 // DisplayName attribute. When this control
 // is attached to a PropertyGrid control, the
 // property will be appear as "RenamedProperty"
 // instead of "MisnamedProperty".
 [Description("Demonstrates DisplayNameAttribute.")]
 [DisplayName("RenamedProperty")]
 public bool MisnamedProperty
 {
 get
 {
 return true;
 }
 }

 // This is the declaration for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 public event ThresholdExceededEventHandler ThresholdExceeded;

 #region Implementation

 // This is the event handler for the DataGridView control's
 // CellFormatting event. Handling this event allows the
 // AttributesDemoControl to examine the incoming log entries
 // from the data source as they arrive.
 //
 // If the cell for which this event is raised holds the
 // log entry's timestamp, the cell value is formatted with
 // the full date/time pattern.
 //
 // Otherwise, the cell's value is assumed to hold the log
 // entry value. If the value exceeds the threshold value,
 // the cell is painted with the colors specified by the
 // AlertForeColor and AlertBackColor properties, after which
 // the ThresholdExceeded is raised. For this comparison to
 // succeed, the log entry's type must implement the IComparable
 // interface.
 private void dataGridView1_CellFormatting(
 object sender,
 DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs e)
 {
 try
 {
 if (e.Value != null)
 {
 if (e.Value is DateTime)
 {
 // Display the log entry time with the
 // full date/time pattern (long time).
 e.CellStyle.Format = "F";
 }
 else
 {
 // Scroll to the most recent entry.
 DataGridViewRow row = this.dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex];
 DataGridViewCell cell = row.Cells[e.ColumnIndex];
 this.dataGridView1.FirstDisplayedCell = cell;

 if (this.thresholdValue != null)
 {
 // Get the type of the log entry.
 object val = e.Value;
 Type paramType = val.GetType();

 // Compare the log entry value to the threshold value.
 // Use reflection to call the CompareTo method on the
 // template parameter's type.
 int compareVal = (int)paramType.InvokeMember(
 "CompareTo",
 BindingFlags.Default | BindingFlags.InvokeMethod,
 null,
 e.Value,
 new object[] { this.thresholdValue },
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);

 // If the log entry value exceeds the threshold value,
 // set the cell's fore color and back color properties
 // and raise the ThresholdExceeded event.
 if (compareVal > 0)
 {
 e.CellStyle.BackColor = this.alertBackColorValue;
 e.CellStyle.ForeColor = this.alertForeColorValue;

 ThresholdExceededEventArgs teea =
 new ThresholdExceededEventArgs(
 this.thresholdValue,
 e.Value);
 this.ThresholdExceeded(teea);
 }
 }
 }
 }
 }
 catch (Exception ex)
 {
 Trace.WriteLine(ex.Message);
 }
 }

 protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
 {
 if (disposing && (components != null))
 {
 components.Dispose();
 }
 base.Dispose(disposing);
 }

 private void InitializeComponent()
 {
 System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellStyle dataGridViewCellStyle1 = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellStyle();
 this.tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
 this.dataGridView1 = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView();
 this.label1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.dataGridView1)).BeginInit();
 this.SuspendLayout();
 //
 // tableLayoutPanel1
 //
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 1;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 100F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 100F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1, 0, 1);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.label1, 0, 0);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(10, 10);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 2;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 10F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 80F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 10F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(425, 424);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0;
 //
 // dataGridView1
 //
 this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
 this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToDeleteRows = false;
 this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = true;
 this.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize;
 this.dataGridView1.AutoSizeRowsMode = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.Alignment = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleLeft;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Microsoft Sans Serif", 8.25F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.ForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.WindowText;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.SelectionBackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Highlight;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.SelectionForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.HighlightText;
 dataGridViewCellStyle1.WrapMode = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewTriState.False;
 this.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = dataGridViewCellStyle1;
 this.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeight = 4;
 this.dataGridView1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
 this.dataGridView1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 57);
 this.dataGridView1.Name = "dataGridView1";
 this.dataGridView1.ReadOnly = true;
 this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersVisible = false;
 this.dataGridView1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(399, 354);
 this.dataGridView1.TabIndex = 1;
 this.dataGridView1.CellFormatting += new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventHandler(this.dataGridView1_CellFormatting);
 //
 // label1
 //
 this.label1.AutoSize = true;
 this.label1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
 this.label1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
 this.label1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 13);
 this.label1.Name = "label1";
 this.label1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(399, 38);
 this.label1.TabIndex = 2;
 this.label1.Text = "label1";
 this.label1.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
 //
 // AttributesDemoControl
 //
 this.Controls.Add(this.tableLayoutPanel1);
 this.Name = "AttributesDemoControl";
 this.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
 this.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(445, 444);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.dataGridView1)).EndInit();
 this.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.PerformLayout();
 }

 #endregion
 }

 // This is the EventArgs class for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 public class ThresholdExceededEventArgs : EventArgs
 {
 private object thresholdValue = null;
 private object exceedingValue = null;

 public ThresholdExceededEventArgs(
 object thresholdValue,
 object exceedingValue)
 {
 this.thresholdValue = thresholdValue;
 this.exceedingValue = exceedingValue;
 }

 public object ThresholdValue
 {
 get
 {
 return this.thresholdValue;
 }
 }

 public object ExceedingValue
 {
 get
 {
 return this.exceedingValue;
 }
 }
 }

 // This class encapsulates a log entry. It is a parameterized
 // type (also known as a template class). The parameter type T
 // defines the type of data being logged. For threshold detection
 // to work, this type must implement the IComparable interface.
 [TypeConverter("LogEntryTypeConverter")]
 public class LogEntry<T> where T : IComparable
 {
 private T entryValue;
 private DateTime entryTimeValue;

 public LogEntry(
 T value,
 DateTime time)
 {
 this.entryValue = value;
 this.entryTimeValue = time;
 }

 public T Entry
 {
 get
 {
 return this.entryValue;
 }
 }

 public DateTime EntryTime
 {
 get
 {
 return this.entryTimeValue;
 }
 }

 // This is the TypeConverter for the LogEntry class.
 public class LogEntryTypeConverter : TypeConverter
 {
 public override bool CanConvertFrom(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 Type sourceType)
 {
 if (sourceType == typeof(string))
 {
 return true;
 }

 return base.CanConvertFrom(context, sourceType);
 }

 public override object ConvertFrom(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture,
 object value)
 {
 if (value is string)
 {
 string[] v = ((string)value).Split(new char[] { '|' });

 Type paramType = typeof(T);
 T entryValue = (T)paramType.InvokeMember(
 "Parse",
 BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.InvokeMethod,
 null,
 null,
 new string[] { v[0] },
 culture);

 return new LogEntry<T>(
 entryValue,
 DateTime.Parse(v[2]));
 }

 return base.ConvertFrom(context, culture, value);
 }

 public override object ConvertTo(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture,
 object value,
 Type destinationType)
 {
 if (destinationType == typeof(string))
 {
 LogEntry<T> le = value as LogEntry<T>;

 string stringRepresentation =
 String.Format("{0} | {1}",
 le.Entry,
 le.EntryTime);

 return stringRepresentation;
 }

 return base.ConvertTo(context, culture, value, destinationType);
 }
 }
 }
}

Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.ComponentModel.Design
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Reflection
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Windows.Forms

' This sample demonstrates the use of various attributes for
' authoring a control. 
Namespace AttributesDemoControlLibrary

 ' This is the event handler delegate for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 Delegate Sub ThresholdExceededEventHandler(ByVal e As ThresholdExceededEventArgs)

 ' This control demonstrates a simple logging capability. 
 <ComplexBindingProperties("DataSource", "DataMember"), _
 DefaultBindingProperty("TitleText"), _
 DefaultEvent("ThresholdExceeded"), _
 DefaultProperty("Threshold"), _
 HelpKeywordAttribute(GetType(UserControl)), _
 ToolboxItem("System.Windows.Forms.Design.AutoSizeToolboxItem,System.Design")> _
 Public Class AttributesDemoControl
 Inherits UserControl

 ' This backs the Threshold property.
 Private thresholdValue As Object

 ' The default fore color value for DataGridView cells that
 ' contain values that exceed the threshold.
 Private Shared defaultAlertForeColorValue As Color = Color.White

 ' The default back color value for DataGridView cells that
 ' contain values that exceed the threshold.
 Private Shared defaultAlertBackColorValue As Color = Color.Red

 ' The ambient color value.
 Private Shared ambientColorValue As Color = Color.Empty

 ' The fore color value for DataGridView cells that
 ' contain values that exceed the threshold.
 Private alertForeColorValue As Color = defaultAlertForeColorValue

 ' The back color value for DataGridView cells that
 ' contain values that exceed the threshold.
 Private alertBackColorValue As Color = defaultAlertBackColorValue

 ' Child controls that comprise this UserControl.
 Private tableLayoutPanel1 As TableLayoutPanel
 Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As DataGridView
 Private label1 As Label

 ' Required for designer support.
 Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer = Nothing

 ' Default constructor.
 Public Sub New()
 InitializeComponent()
 End Sub

 <Category("Appearance"), _
 Description("The title of the log data."), _
 DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Visible), Localizable(True), _
 HelpKeywordAttribute("AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl.TitleText")> _
 Public Property TitleText() As String
 Get
 Return Me.label1.Text
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As String)
 Me.label1.Text = value
 End Set
 End Property

 ' The inherited Text property is hidden at design time and 
 ' raises an exception at run time. This enforces a requirement
 ' that client code uses the TitleText property instead.
 <Browsable(False), _
 EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never), _
 DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Hidden)> _
 Public Overrides Property Text() As String
 Get
 Throw New NotSupportedException()
 End Get
 Set(ByVal value As String)
 Throw New NotSupportedException()
 End Set
 End Property

 <AmbientValue(GetType(Color), "Empty"), _
 Category("Appearance"), _
 DefaultValue(GetType(Color), "White"), _
 Description("The color used for painting alert text.")> _
 Public Property AlertForeColor() As Color
 Get
 If Me.alertForeColorValue = Color.Empty AndAlso (Me.Parent IsNot Nothing) Then
 Return Parent.ForeColor
 End If

 Return Me.alertForeColorValue
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Color)
 Me.alertForeColorValue = value
 End Set
 End Property

 ' This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
 ' property to its default value.
 Public Sub ResetAlertForeColor()
 Me.AlertForeColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertForeColorValue
 End Sub

 ' This method indicates to designers whether the property
 ' value is different from the ambient value, in which case
 ' the designer should persist the value.
 Private Function ShouldSerializeAlertForeColor() As Boolean
 Return Me.alertForeColorValue <> AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue
 End Function

 <AmbientValue(GetType(Color), "Empty"), _
 Category("Appearance"), _
 DefaultValue(GetType(Color), "Red"), _
 Description("The background color for painting alert text.")> _
 Public Property AlertBackColor() As Color
 Get
 If Me.alertBackColorValue = Color.Empty AndAlso (Me.Parent IsNot Nothing) Then
 Return Parent.BackColor
 End If

 Return Me.alertBackColorValue
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Color)
 Me.alertBackColorValue = value
 End Set
 End Property

 ' This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
 ' property to its default value.
 Public Sub ResetAlertBackColor()
 Me.AlertBackColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertBackColorValue
 End Sub

 ' This method indicates to designers whether the property
 ' value is different from the ambient value, in which case
 ' the designer should persist the value.
 Private Function ShouldSerializeAlertBackColor() As Boolean
 Return Me.alertBackColorValue <> AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue
 End Function 'ShouldSerializeAlertBackColor

 <Category("Data"), _
 Description("Indicates the source of data for the control."), _
 RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint), _
 AttributeProvider(GetType(IListSource))> _
 Public Property DataSource() As Object
 Get
 Return Me.dataGridView1.DataSource
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Object)
 Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = value
 End Set
 End Property

 <Category("Data"), _
 Description("Indicates a sub-list of the data source to show in the control.")> _
 Public Property DataMember() As String
 Get
 Return Me.dataGridView1.DataMember
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As String)
 Me.dataGridView1.DataMember = value
 End Set
 End Property

 ' This property would normally have its BrowsableAttribute 
 ' set to false, but this code demonstrates using 
 ' ReadOnlyAttribute, so BrowsableAttribute is true to show 
 ' it in any attached PropertyGrid control.
 <Browsable(True), _
 Category("Behavior"), _
 Description("The timestamp of the latest entry."), _
 ReadOnlyAttribute(True)> _
 Public Property CurrentLogTime() As DateTime
 Get
 Dim lastRowIndex As Integer = _
 Me.dataGridView1.Rows.GetLastRow(DataGridViewElementStates.Visible)

 If lastRowIndex > -1 Then
 Dim lastRow As DataGridViewRow = Me.dataGridView1.Rows(lastRowIndex)
 Dim lastCell As DataGridViewCell = lastRow.Cells("EntryTime")
 Return CType(lastCell.Value, DateTime)
 Else
 Return DateTime.MinValue
 End If
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As DateTime)
 End Set
 End Property

 <Category("Behavior"), _
 Description("The value above which the ThresholdExceeded event will be raised.")> _
 Public Property Threshold() As Object
 Get
 Return Me.thresholdValue
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Object)
 Me.thresholdValue = value
 End Set
 End Property

 ' This property exists only to demonstrate the 
 ' PasswordPropertyText attribute. When this control 
 ' is attached to a PropertyGrid control, the returned 
 ' string will be displayed with obscuring characters
 ' such as asterisks. This property has no other effect.
 <Category("Security"), _
 Description("Demonstrates PasswordPropertyTextAttribute."), _
 PasswordPropertyText(True)> _
 Public ReadOnly Property Password() As String
 Get
 Return "This is a demo password."
 End Get
 End Property

 ' This property exists only to demonstrate the 
 ' DisplayName attribute. When this control 
 ' is attached to a PropertyGrid control, the
 ' property will be appear as "RenamedProperty"
 ' instead of "MisnamedProperty".
 <Description("Demonstrates DisplayNameAttribute."), _
 DisplayName("RenamedProperty")> _
 Public ReadOnly Property MisnamedProperty() As Boolean
 Get
 Return True
 End Get
 End Property

 ' This is the declaration for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 'Public Event ThresholdExceeded As ThresholdExceededEventHandler
 Public Event ThresholdExceeded(ByVal e As ThresholdExceededEventArgs)

#Region "Implementation"

 ' This is the event handler for the DataGridView control's 
 ' CellFormatting event. Handling this event allows the 
 ' AttributesDemoControl to examine the incoming log entries
 ' from the data source as they arrive.
 '
 ' If the cell for which this event is raised holds the
 ' log entry's timestamp, the cell value is formatted with 
 ' the full date/time pattern. 
 ' 
 ' Otherwise, the cell's value is assumed to hold the log 
 ' entry value. If the value exceeds the threshold value, 
 ' the cell is painted with the colors specified by the
 ' AlertForeColor and AlertBackColor properties, after which
 ' the ThresholdExceeded is raised. For this comparison to 
 ' succeed, the log entry's type must implement the IComparable 
 ' interface.
 Private Sub dataGridView1_CellFormatting( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs) _
 Handles dataGridView1.CellFormatting
 Try
 If (e.Value IsNot Nothing) Then
 If TypeOf e.Value Is DateTime Then
 ' Display the log entry time with the 
 ' full date/time pattern (long time).
 e.CellStyle.Format = "F"
 Else
 ' Scroll to the most recent entry.
 Dim row As DataGridViewRow = Me.dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex)
 Dim cell As DataGridViewCell = row.Cells(e.ColumnIndex)
 Me.dataGridView1.FirstDisplayedCell = cell

 If (Me.thresholdValue IsNot Nothing) Then
 ' Get the type of the log entry.
 Dim val As Object = e.Value
 Dim paramType As Type = val.GetType()

 ' Compare the log entry value to the threshold value.
 ' Use reflection to call the CompareTo method on the
 ' template parameter's type. 
 Dim compareVal As Integer = _
 Fix(paramType.InvokeMember("CompareTo", _
 BindingFlags.Default Or BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, _
 Nothing, _
 e.Value, _
 New Object() {Me.thresholdValue}, _
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture))

 ' If the log entry value exceeds the threshold value,
 ' set the cell's fore color and back color properties
 ' and raise the ThresholdExceeded event.
 If compareVal > 0 Then
 e.CellStyle.BackColor = Me.alertBackColorValue
 e.CellStyle.ForeColor = Me.alertForeColorValue

 Dim teea As New ThresholdExceededEventArgs(Me.thresholdValue, e.Value)
 RaiseEvent ThresholdExceeded(teea)
 End If
 End If
 End If
 End If
 Catch ex As Exception
 Trace.WriteLine(ex.Message)
 End Try
 End Sub

 Protected Overrides Sub Dispose(ByVal disposing As Boolean)
 If disposing AndAlso (components IsNot Nothing) Then
 components.Dispose()
 End If
 MyBase.Dispose(disposing)
 End Sub


 Private Sub InitializeComponent()
 Dim DataGridViewCellStyle1 As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellStyle = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellStyle
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1 = New System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel
 Me.dataGridView1 = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView
 Me.label1 = New System.Windows.Forms.Label
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout()
 CType(Me.dataGridView1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()
 Me.SuspendLayout()
 '
 'tableLayoutPanel1
 '
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 1
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 100.0!))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Absolute, 100.0!))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1, 0, 1)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Me.label1, 0, 0)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(10, 10)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1"
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Padding = New System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 2
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 10.0!))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 80.0!))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 10.0!))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(425, 424)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 0
 '
 'dataGridView1
 '
 Me.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
 Me.dataGridView1.AllowUserToDeleteRows = False
 Me.dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = True
 Me.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize
 Me.dataGridView1.AutoSizeRowsMode = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.Alignment = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleLeft
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.ForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.WindowText
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.SelectionBackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Highlight
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.SelectionForeColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.HighlightText
 DataGridViewCellStyle1.WrapMode = System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewTriState.[False]
 Me.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = DataGridViewCellStyle1
 Me.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeight = 4
 Me.dataGridView1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill
 Me.dataGridView1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(13, 57)
 Me.dataGridView1.Name = "dataGridView1"
 Me.dataGridView1.ReadOnly = True
 Me.dataGridView1.RowHeadersVisible = False
 Me.dataGridView1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(399, 354)
 Me.dataGridView1.TabIndex = 1
 '
 'label1
 '
 Me.label1.AutoSize = True
 Me.label1.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control
 Me.label1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill
 Me.label1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(13, 13)
 Me.label1.Name = "label1"
 Me.label1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(399, 38)
 Me.label1.TabIndex = 2
 Me.label1.Text = "label1"
 Me.label1.TextAlign = System.Drawing.ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter
 '
 'AttributesDemoControl
 '
 Me.Controls.Add(Me.tableLayoutPanel1)
 Me.Name = "AttributesDemoControl"
 Me.Padding = New System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10)
 Me.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(445, 444)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.PerformLayout()
 CType(Me.dataGridView1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()
 Me.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.PerformLayout()

 End Sub

#End Region

 End Class

 ' This is the EventArgs class for the ThresholdExceeded event.
 Public Class ThresholdExceededEventArgs
 Inherits EventArgs
 Private thresholdVal As Object = Nothing
 Private exceedingVal As Object = Nothing

 Public Sub New(ByVal thresholdValue As Object, ByVal exceedingValue As Object)
 Me.thresholdVal = thresholdValue
 Me.exceedingVal = exceedingValue
 End Sub

 Public ReadOnly Property ThresholdValue() As Object
 Get
 Return Me.thresholdVal
 End Get
 End Property

 Public ReadOnly Property ExceedingValue() As Object
 Get
 Return Me.exceedingVal
 End Get
 End Property
 End Class

 ' This class encapsulates a log entry. It is a parameterized 
 ' type (also known as a template class). The parameter type T
 ' defines the type of data being logged. For threshold detection
 ' to work, this type must implement the IComparable interface.
 <TypeConverter("LogEntryTypeConverter")> _
 Public Class LogEntry(Of T As IComparable)

 Private entryValue As T

 Private entryTimeValue As DateTime


 Public Sub New(ByVal value As T, ByVal time As DateTime)
 Me.entryValue = value
 Me.entryTimeValue = time
 End Sub


 Public ReadOnly Property Entry() As T
 Get
 Return Me.entryValue
 End Get
 End Property


 Public ReadOnly Property EntryTime() As DateTime
 Get
 Return Me.entryTimeValue
 End Get
 End Property

 ' This is the TypeConverter for the LogEntry class. 
 Public Class LogEntryTypeConverter
 Inherits TypeConverter

 Public Overrides Function CanConvertFrom( _
 ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, _
 ByVal sourceType As Type) As Boolean
 If sourceType Is GetType(String) Then
 Return True
 End If

 Return MyBase.CanConvertFrom(context, sourceType)
 End Function

 Public Overrides Function ConvertFrom( _
 ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, _
 ByVal culture As System.Globalization.CultureInfo, _
 ByVal value As Object) As Object
 If TypeOf value Is String Then
 Dim v As String() = CStr(value).Split(New Char() {"|"c})

 Dim paramType As Type = GetType(T)
 Dim entryValue As T = CType(paramType.InvokeMember("Parse", BindingFlags.Static Or BindingFlags.Public Or BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, Nothing, New String() {v(0)}, culture), T)

 Return New LogEntry(Of T)(entryValue, DateTime.Parse(v(2))) '

 End If

 Return MyBase.ConvertFrom(context, culture, value)
 End Function

 Public Overrides Function ConvertTo(ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, ByVal culture As System.Globalization.CultureInfo, ByVal value As Object, ByVal destinationType As Type) As Object
 If destinationType Is GetType(String) Then

 Dim le As LogEntry(Of T) = CType(value, LogEntry(Of T))

 Dim stringRepresentation As String = String.Format("{0} | {1}", le.Entry, le.EntryTime)

 Return stringRepresentation
 End If

 Return MyBase.ConvertTo(context, culture, value, destinationType)
 End Function
 End Class
 End Class

End Namespace

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using AttributesDemoControlLibrary;

// This sample demonstrates using the AttributesDemoControl to log
// data from a data source.
namespace AttributesDemoControlTest
{
 public class Form1 : Form
 {	
 private BindingSource bindingSource1;
 private System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter performanceCounter1;
 private Button startButton;
 private Button stopButton;
 private System.Timers.Timer timer1;
 private ToolStripStatusLabel statusStripPanel1;
 private NumericUpDown numericUpDown1;
 private GroupBox groupBox1;
 private GroupBox groupBox2;
 private TableLayoutPanel tableLayoutPanel1;
 private AttributesDemoControl attributesDemoControl1;
 private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;

 // This form uses an AttributesDemoControl to display a stream
 // of LogEntry objects. The data stream is generated by polling
 // a performance counter and communicating the counter values
 // to the control with data binding.
 public Form1()
 {
 InitializeComponent();

 // Set the initial value of the threshold up/down control
 // to the control's threshold value.
 this.numericUpDown1.Value =
 (decimal)(float)this.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold;

 // Assign the performance counter's name to the control's
 // title text.
 this.attributesDemoControl1.TitleText =
 this.performanceCounter1.CounterName;
 }

 // This method handles the ThresholdExceeded event. It posts
 // the value that exceeded the threshold to the status strip.
 private void attributesDemoControl1_ThresholdExceeded(
 ThresholdExceededEventArgs e)
 {
 string msg = String.Format(
 "{0}: Value {1} exceeded threshold {2}",
 this.attributesDemoControl1.CurrentLogTime,
 e.ExceedingValue,
 e.ThresholdValue);

 this.ReportStatus( msg );
 }

 // This method handles the timer's Elapsed event. It queries
 // the performance counter for the next value, packs the
 // value in a LogEntry object, and adds the new LogEntry to
 // the list managed by the BindingSource.
 private void timer1_Elapsed(
 object sender,
 System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs e)
 {	
 // Get the latest value from the performance counter.
 float val = this.performanceCounter1.NextValue();

 // The performance counter returns values of type float,
 // but any type that implements the IComparable interface
 // will work.
 LogEntry<float> entry = new LogEntry<float>(val, DateTime.Now);

 // Add the new LogEntry to the BindingSource list.
 this.bindingSource1.Add(entry);
 }

 private void numericUpDown1_ValueChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
 {
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold =
 (float)this.numericUpDown1.Value;

 string msg = String.Format(
 "Threshold changed to {0}",
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold);

 this.ReportStatus(msg);
 }

 private void startButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
 {
 this.ReportStatus(DateTime.Now + ": Starting");

 this.timer1.Start();
 }

 private void stopButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
 {
 this.ReportStatus(DateTime.Now + ": Stopping");

 this.timer1.Stop();
 }

 private void ReportStatus(string msg)
 {
 if (msg != null)
 {
 this.statusStripPanel1.Text = msg;
 }
 }

 [STAThread]
 static void Main()
 {
 Application.EnableVisualStyles();
 Application.Run(new Form1());
 }

 protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
 {
 if (disposing && (components != null))
 {
 components.Dispose();
 }
 base.Dispose(disposing);
 }

 private void InitializeComponent()
 {
 this.components = new System.ComponentModel.Container();
 this.bindingSource1 = new System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource(this.components);
 this.performanceCounter1 = new System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter();
 this.startButton = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
 this.stopButton = new System.Windows.Forms.Button();
 this.timer1 = new System.Timers.Timer();
 this.statusStripPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel();
 this.numericUpDown1 = new System.Windows.Forms.NumericUpDown();
 this.groupBox1 = new System.Windows.Forms.GroupBox();
 this.groupBox2 = new System.Windows.Forms.GroupBox();
 this.tableLayoutPanel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel();
 this.attributesDemoControl1 = new AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.bindingSource1)).BeginInit();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.performanceCounter1)).BeginInit();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.timer1)).BeginInit();

 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.numericUpDown1)).BeginInit();
 this.groupBox1.SuspendLayout();
 this.groupBox2.SuspendLayout();
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout();
 this.SuspendLayout();
 //
 // performanceCounter1
 //
 this.performanceCounter1.CategoryName = ".NET CLR Memory";
 this.performanceCounter1.CounterName = "Gen 0 heap size";
 this.performanceCounter1.InstanceName = "_Global_";
 //
 // startButton
 //
 this.startButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(31, 25);
 this.startButton.Name = "startButton";
 this.startButton.TabIndex = 1;
 this.startButton.Text = "Start";
 this.startButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(this.startButton_Click);
 //
 // stopButton
 //
 this.stopButton.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(112, 25);
 this.stopButton.Name = "stopButton";
 this.stopButton.TabIndex = 2;
 this.stopButton.Text = "Stop";
 this.stopButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(this.stopButton_Click);
 //
 // timer1
 //
 this.timer1.Interval = 1000;
 this.timer1.SynchronizingObject = this;
 this.timer1.Elapsed += new System.Timers.ElapsedEventHandler(this.timer1_Elapsed);
 //
 // statusStripPanel1
 //
 this.statusStripPanel1.BorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.Border3DStyle.SunkenOuter;
 this.statusStripPanel1.DisplayStyle = System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemDisplayStyle.Text;
 this.statusStripPanel1.Name = "statusStripPanel1";
 this.statusStripPanel1.Text = "Ready";
 //
 // numericUpDown1
 //
 this.numericUpDown1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(37, 29);
 this.numericUpDown1.Maximum = new decimal(new int[] {
 1410065408,
 2,
 0,
 0});
 this.numericUpDown1.Name = "numericUpDown1";
 this.numericUpDown1.TabIndex = 7;
 this.numericUpDown1.ValueChanged += new System.EventHandler(this.numericUpDown1_ValueChanged);
 //
 // groupBox1
 //
 this.groupBox1.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.None;
 this.groupBox1.Controls.Add(this.numericUpDown1);
 this.groupBox1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(280, 326);
 this.groupBox1.Name = "groupBox1";
 this.groupBox1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(200, 70);
 this.groupBox1.TabIndex = 13;
 this.groupBox1.TabStop = false;
 this.groupBox1.Text = "Threshold Value";
 //
 // groupBox2
 //
 this.groupBox2.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.None;
 this.groupBox2.Controls.Add(this.startButton);
 this.groupBox2.Controls.Add(this.stopButton);
 this.groupBox2.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(26, 327);
 this.groupBox2.Name = "groupBox2";
 this.groupBox2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(214, 68);
 this.groupBox2.TabIndex = 14;
 this.groupBox2.TabStop = false;
 this.groupBox2.Text = "Logging";
 //
 // tableLayoutPanel1
 //
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 2;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.groupBox2, 0, 1);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.groupBox1, 1, 1);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(this.attributesDemoControl1, 0, 0);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1";
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 2;
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 80F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(new System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 20F));
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(514, 411);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 15;
 //
 // attributesDemoControl1
 //
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.SetColumnSpan(this.attributesDemoControl1, 2);
 this.attributesDemoControl1.DataMember = "";
 this.attributesDemoControl1.DataSource = this.bindingSource1;
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill;
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(13, 13);
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Name = "attributesDemoControl1";
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Padding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(488, 306);
 this.attributesDemoControl1.TabIndex = 0;
 this.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold = 200000F;
 this.attributesDemoControl1.TitleText = "TITLE";
 this.attributesDemoControl1.ThresholdExceeded += new AttributesDemoControlLibrary.ThresholdExceededEventHandler(this.attributesDemoControl1_ThresholdExceeded);
 //
 // Form1
 //
 this.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
 this.ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(514, 430);
 this.Controls.Add(this.tableLayoutPanel1);
 this.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Microsoft Sans Serif", 8.25F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
 this.Name = "Form1";
 this.Text = "Form1";
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.bindingSource1)).EndInit();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.performanceCounter1)).EndInit();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.timer1)).EndInit();
 ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.numericUpDown1)).EndInit();
 this.groupBox1.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.groupBox2.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.ResumeLayout(false);
 this.PerformLayout();
 }
 }
}

Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Diagnostics
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports AttributesDemoControlLibrary

' This sample demonstrates using the AttributesDemoControl to log
' data from a data source. 
Public Class Form1
 Inherits Form
 Private bindingSource1 As BindingSource
 Private performanceCounter1 As System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter
 Private WithEvents startButton As Button
 Private WithEvents stopButton As Button
 Private WithEvents timer1 As System.Timers.Timer
 Private statusStrip1 As ToolStripStatusLabel
 Private statusStripPanel1 As ToolStripStatusLabel
 Private WithEvents numericUpDown1 As NumericUpDown
 Private groupBox1 As GroupBox
 Private groupBox2 As GroupBox
 Private tableLayoutPanel1 As TableLayoutPanel
 Private WithEvents attributesDemoControl1 As AttributesDemoControl
 Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer = Nothing
 
 ' This form uses an AttributesDemoControl to display a stream
 ' of LogEntry objects. The data stream is generated by polling
 ' a performance counter and communicating the counter values 
 ' to the control with data binding.
 Public Sub New()
 InitializeComponent()
 
 ' Set the initial value of the threshold up/down control 
 ' to the control's threshold value.
 Me.numericUpDown1.Value = _
 System.Convert.ToDecimal( _
 System.Convert.ToSingle(Me.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold))
 
 ' Assign the performance counter's name to the control's 
 ' title text.
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.TitleText = _
 Me.performanceCounter1.CounterName
 End Sub
 
 
 ' This method handles the ThresholdExceeded event. It posts
 ' a the value that exceeded the threshold to the status strip. 
 Private Sub attributesDemoControl1_ThresholdExceeded( _
 ByVal e As ThresholdExceededEventArgs) _
 Handles attributesDemoControl1.ThresholdExceeded
 Dim msg As String = String.Format( _
 "{0}: Value {1} exceeded threshold {2}", _
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.CurrentLogTime, _
 e.ExceedingValue, _
 e.ThresholdValue)

 Me.ReportStatus(msg)
 End Sub
 
 ' This method handles the timer's Elapsed event. It queries
 ' the performance counter for the next value, packs the 
 ' value in a LogEntry object, and adds the new LogEntry to
 ' the list managed by the BindingSource.
 Private Sub timer1_Elapsed( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs) _
 Handles timer1.Elapsed

 ' Get the latest value from the performance counter.
 Dim val As Single = Me.performanceCounter1.NextValue()

 ' The performance counter returns values of type float, 
 ' but any type that implements the IComparable interface
 ' will work.
 Dim entry As LogEntry(Of Single) = _
 New LogEntry(Of Single)(val, DateTime.Now)

 ' Add the new LogEntry to the BindingSource list.
 Me.bindingSource1.Add(entry)
 End Sub

 Private Sub numericUpDown1_ValueChanged( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As EventArgs) _
 Handles numericUpDown1.ValueChanged

 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold = _
 System.Convert.ToSingle(Me.numericUpDown1.Value)

 Dim msg As String = String.Format( _
 "Threshold changed to {0}", _
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold)

 Me.ReportStatus(msg)
 End Sub
 
 Private Sub startButton_Click( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As EventArgs) _
 Handles startButton.Click

 Me.ReportStatus((DateTime.Now.ToString() + ": Starting"))

 Me.timer1.Start()
 End Sub
 
 
 Private Sub stopButton_Click( _
 ByVal sender As Object, _
 ByVal e As EventArgs) _
 Handles stopButton.Click

 Me.ReportStatus((DateTime.Now.ToString() + ": Stopping"))

 Me.timer1.Stop()
 End Sub
 
 
 Private Sub ReportStatus(msg As String)
 If (msg IsNot Nothing) Then
 Me.statusStripPanel1.Text = msg
 End If
 End Sub
 
 
 <STAThread()> _
 Shared Sub Main()
 Application.EnableVisualStyles()
 Application.Run(New Form1())
 End Sub
 
 
 Protected Overrides Sub Dispose(disposing As Boolean)
 If disposing AndAlso (components IsNot Nothing) Then
 components.Dispose()
 End If
 MyBase.Dispose(disposing)
 End Sub
 
 
 Private Sub InitializeComponent()
 Me.components = New System.ComponentModel.Container()
 Me.bindingSource1 = New System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource(Me.components)
 Me.performanceCounter1 = New System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter()
 Me.startButton = New System.Windows.Forms.Button()
 Me.stopButton = New System.Windows.Forms.Button()
 Me.timer1 = New System.Timers.Timer()
 Me.statusStripPanel1 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel()
 Me.numericUpDown1 = New System.Windows.Forms.NumericUpDown()
 Me.groupBox1 = New System.Windows.Forms.GroupBox()
 Me.groupBox2 = New System.Windows.Forms.GroupBox()
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1 = New System.Windows.Forms.TableLayoutPanel()
 Me.attributesDemoControl1 = New AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl()
 CType(Me.bindingSource1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()
 CType(Me.performanceCounter1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()
 CType(Me.timer1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()
 CType(Me.numericUpDown1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).BeginInit()
 Me.groupBox1.SuspendLayout()
 Me.groupBox2.SuspendLayout()
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.SuspendLayout()
 Me.SuspendLayout()
 ' 
 ' performanceCounter1
 ' 
 Me.performanceCounter1.CategoryName = ".NET CLR Memory"
 Me.performanceCounter1.CounterName = "Gen 0 heap size"
 Me.performanceCounter1.InstanceName = "_Global_"
 ' 
 ' startButton
 ' 
 Me.startButton.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(31, 25)
 Me.startButton.Name = "startButton"
 Me.startButton.TabIndex = 1
 Me.startButton.Text = "Start"
 ' 
 ' stopButton
 ' 
 Me.stopButton.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(112, 25)
 Me.stopButton.Name = "stopButton"
 Me.stopButton.TabIndex = 2
 Me.stopButton.Text = "Stop"
 ' 
 ' timer1
 ' 
 Me.timer1.Interval = 1000
 Me.timer1.SynchronizingObject = Me
 ' 
 ' statusStripPanel1
 ' 
 Me.statusStripPanel1.BorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.Border3DStyle.SunkenOuter
 Me.statusStripPanel1.DisplayStyle = System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemDisplayStyle.Text
 Me.statusStripPanel1.Name = "statusStripPanel1"
 Me.statusStripPanel1.Text = "Ready"
 ' 
 ' numericUpDown1
 ' 
 Me.numericUpDown1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(37, 29)
 Me.numericUpDown1.Maximum = New Decimal(New Integer() {1410065408, 2, 0, 0})
 Me.numericUpDown1.Name = "numericUpDown1"
 Me.numericUpDown1.TabIndex = 7
 ' 
 ' groupBox1
 ' 
 Me.groupBox1.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.None
 Me.groupBox1.Controls.Add(Me.numericUpDown1)
 Me.groupBox1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(280, 326)
 Me.groupBox1.Name = "groupBox1"
 Me.groupBox1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(200, 70)
 Me.groupBox1.TabIndex = 13
 Me.groupBox1.TabStop = False
 Me.groupBox1.Text = "Threshold Value"
 ' 
 ' groupBox2
 ' 
 Me.groupBox2.Anchor = System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles.None
 Me.groupBox2.Controls.Add(Me.startButton)
 Me.groupBox2.Controls.Add(Me.stopButton)
 Me.groupBox2.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(26, 327)
 Me.groupBox2.Name = "groupBox2"
 Me.groupBox2.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(214, 68)
 Me.groupBox2.TabIndex = 14
 Me.groupBox2.TabStop = False
 Me.groupBox2.Text = "Logging"
 ' 
 ' tableLayoutPanel1
 ' 
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnCount = 2
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ColumnStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.ColumnStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 50F))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Me.groupBox2, 0, 1)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Me.groupBox1, 1, 1)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Me.attributesDemoControl1, 0, 0)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(0, 0)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Name = "tableLayoutPanel1"
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Padding = New System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowCount = 2
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 80F))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.RowStyles.Add(New System.Windows.Forms.RowStyle(System.Windows.Forms.SizeType.Percent, 20F))
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(514, 411)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.TabIndex = 15
 ' 
 ' attributesDemoControl1
 ' 
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.SetColumnSpan(Me.attributesDemoControl1, 2)
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.DataMember = ""
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.DataSource = Me.bindingSource1
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Dock = System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle.Fill
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(13, 13)
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Name = "attributesDemoControl1"
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Padding = New System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10)
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(488, 306)
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.TabIndex = 0
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.Threshold = 200000F
 Me.attributesDemoControl1.TitleText = "TITLE"
 ' 
 ' Form1
 '
 Me.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control
 Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(514, 430)
 Me.Controls.Add(tableLayoutPanel1)
 Me.Name = "Form1"
 Me.Text = "Form1"
 CType(Me.bindingSource1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()
 CType(Me.performanceCounter1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()
 CType(Me.timer1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()
 CType(Me.numericUpDown1, System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize).EndInit()
 Me.groupBox1.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.groupBox2.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.tableLayoutPanel1.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.ResumeLayout(False)
 Me.PerformLayout()
 End Sub
End Class

The first code example is the AttributesDemoControl implementation. The second code example demonstrates a form that uses the AttributesDemoControl.

Class-level Attributes

Some attributes are applied at the class level. The following code example shows the attributes that are commonly applied to a Windows Forms control.

// This control demonstrates a simple logging capability.
[ComplexBindingProperties("DataSource", "DataMember")]
[DefaultBindingProperty("TitleText")]
[DefaultEvent("ThresholdExceeded")]
[DefaultProperty("Threshold")]
[HelpKeywordAttribute(typeof(UserControl))]
[ToolboxItem("System.Windows.Forms.Design.AutoSizeToolboxItem,System.Design")]
public class AttributesDemoControl : UserControl
{

' This control demonstrates a simple logging capability. 
<ComplexBindingProperties("DataSource", "DataMember"), _
DefaultBindingProperty("TitleText"), _
DefaultEvent("ThresholdExceeded"), _
DefaultProperty("Threshold"), _
HelpKeywordAttribute(GetType(UserControl)), _
ToolboxItem("System.Windows.Forms.Design.AutoSizeToolboxItem,System.Design")> _
Public Class AttributesDemoControl
 Inherits UserControl

TypeConverter Attribute

TypeConverterAttribute is another commonly used class-level attribute. The following code example shows its use for the LogEntry class. This example also shows an implementation of a TypeConverter for the LogEntry type, called LogEntryTypeConverter.

// This class encapsulates a log entry. It is a parameterized
// type (also known as a template class). The parameter type T
// defines the type of data being logged. For threshold detection
// to work, this type must implement the IComparable interface.
[TypeConverter("LogEntryTypeConverter")]
public class LogEntry<T> where T : IComparable
{
 private T entryValue;
 private DateTime entryTimeValue;

 public LogEntry(
 T value,
 DateTime time)
 {
 this.entryValue = value;
 this.entryTimeValue = time;
 }

 public T Entry
 {
 get
 {
 return this.entryValue;
 }
 }

 public DateTime EntryTime
 {
 get
 {
 return this.entryTimeValue;
 }
 }

 // This is the TypeConverter for the LogEntry class.
 public class LogEntryTypeConverter : TypeConverter
 {
 public override bool CanConvertFrom(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 Type sourceType)
 {
 if (sourceType == typeof(string))
 {
 return true;
 }

 return base.CanConvertFrom(context, sourceType);
 }

 public override object ConvertFrom(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture,
 object value)
 {
 if (value is string)
 {
 string[] v = ((string)value).Split(new char[] { '|' });

 Type paramType = typeof(T);
 T entryValue = (T)paramType.InvokeMember(
 "Parse",
 BindingFlags.Static | BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.InvokeMethod,
 null,
 null,
 new string[] { v[0] },
 culture);

 return new LogEntry<T>(
 entryValue,
 DateTime.Parse(v[2]));
 }

 return base.ConvertFrom(context, culture, value);
 }

 public override object ConvertTo(
 ITypeDescriptorContext context,
 System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture,
 object value,
 Type destinationType)
 {
 if (destinationType == typeof(string))
 {
 LogEntry<T> le = value as LogEntry<T>;

 string stringRepresentation =
 String.Format("{0} | {1}",
 le.Entry,
 le.EntryTime);

 return stringRepresentation;
 }

 return base.ConvertTo(context, culture, value, destinationType);
 }
 }
}

' This class encapsulates a log entry. It is a parameterized 
' type (also known as a template class). The parameter type T
' defines the type of data being logged. For threshold detection
' to work, this type must implement the IComparable interface.
<TypeConverter("LogEntryTypeConverter")> _
Public Class LogEntry(Of T As IComparable)

 Private entryValue As T

 Private entryTimeValue As DateTime


 Public Sub New(ByVal value As T, ByVal time As DateTime)
 Me.entryValue = value
 Me.entryTimeValue = time
 End Sub


 Public ReadOnly Property Entry() As T
 Get
 Return Me.entryValue
 End Get
 End Property


 Public ReadOnly Property EntryTime() As DateTime
 Get
 Return Me.entryTimeValue
 End Get
 End Property

 ' This is the TypeConverter for the LogEntry class. 
 Public Class LogEntryTypeConverter
 Inherits TypeConverter

 Public Overrides Function CanConvertFrom( _
 ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, _
 ByVal sourceType As Type) As Boolean
 If sourceType Is GetType(String) Then
 Return True
 End If

 Return MyBase.CanConvertFrom(context, sourceType)
 End Function

 Public Overrides Function ConvertFrom( _
 ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, _
 ByVal culture As System.Globalization.CultureInfo, _
 ByVal value As Object) As Object
 If TypeOf value Is String Then
 Dim v As String() = CStr(value).Split(New Char() {"|"c})

 Dim paramType As Type = GetType(T)
 Dim entryValue As T = CType(paramType.InvokeMember("Parse", BindingFlags.Static Or BindingFlags.Public Or BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, Nothing, New String() {v(0)}, culture), T)

 Return New LogEntry(Of T)(entryValue, DateTime.Parse(v(2))) '

 End If

 Return MyBase.ConvertFrom(context, culture, value)
 End Function

 Public Overrides Function ConvertTo(ByVal context As ITypeDescriptorContext, ByVal culture As System.Globalization.CultureInfo, ByVal value As Object, ByVal destinationType As Type) As Object
 If destinationType Is GetType(String) Then

 Dim le As LogEntry(Of T) = CType(value, LogEntry(Of T))

 Dim stringRepresentation As String = String.Format("{0} | {1}", le.Entry, le.EntryTime)

 Return stringRepresentation
 End If

 Return MyBase.ConvertTo(context, culture, value, destinationType)
 End Function
 End Class
End Class

Member-level Attributes

Some attributes are applied at the member level. The following code examples show some attributes that are commonly applied to properties of Windows Forms controls.

[Category("Appearance")]
[Description("The title of the log data.")]
[DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Visible)]
[Localizable(true)]
[HelpKeywordAttribute("AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl.TitleText")]
public string TitleText
{
 get
 {
 return this.label1.Text;
 }

 set
 {
 this.label1.Text = value;
 }
}

<Category("Appearance"), _
Description("The title of the log data."), _
DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Visible), Localizable(True), _
HelpKeywordAttribute("AttributesDemoControlLibrary.AttributesDemoControl.TitleText")> _
Public Property TitleText() As String
 Get
 Return Me.label1.Text
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As String)
 Me.label1.Text = value
 End Set
End Property

AmbientValue Attribute

The following example demonstrates the AmbientValueAttribute and shows code that supports its interaction with the design environment. This interaction is called ambience.

[AmbientValue(typeof(Color), "Empty")]
[Category("Appearance")]
[DefaultValue(typeof(Color), "White")]
[Description("The color used for painting alert text.")]
public Color AlertForeColor
{
 get
 {
 if (this.alertForeColorValue == Color.Empty &&
 this.Parent != null)
 {
 return Parent.ForeColor;
 }

 return this.alertForeColorValue;
 }

 set
 {
 this.alertForeColorValue = value;
 }
}

// This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
// property to its default value.
public void ResetAlertForeColor()
{
 this.AlertForeColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertForeColorValue;
}

// This method indicates to designers whether the property
// value is different from the ambient value, in which case
// the designer should persist the value.
private bool ShouldSerializeAlertForeColor()
{
 return (this.alertForeColorValue != AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue);
}

<AmbientValue(GetType(Color), "Empty"), _
Category("Appearance"), _
DefaultValue(GetType(Color), "White"), _
Description("The color used for painting alert text.")> _
Public Property AlertForeColor() As Color
 Get
 If Me.alertForeColorValue = Color.Empty AndAlso (Me.Parent IsNot Nothing) Then
 Return Parent.ForeColor
 End If

 Return Me.alertForeColorValue
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Color)
 Me.alertForeColorValue = value
 End Set
End Property

' This method is used by designers to enable resetting the
' property to its default value.
Public Sub ResetAlertForeColor()
 Me.AlertForeColor = AttributesDemoControl.defaultAlertForeColorValue
End Sub

' This method indicates to designers whether the property
' value is different from the ambient value, in which case
' the designer should persist the value.
Private Function ShouldSerializeAlertForeColor() As Boolean
 Return Me.alertForeColorValue <> AttributesDemoControl.ambientColorValue
End Function

Databinding Attributes

The following examples demonstrate an implementation of complex data binding. The class-level ComplexBindingPropertiesAttribute, shown previously, specifies the DataSource and DataMember properties to use for data binding. The AttributeProviderAttribute specifies the type to which the DataSource property will bind.

[Category("Data")]
[Description("Indicates the source of data for the control.")]
[RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint)]
[AttributeProvider(typeof(IListSource))]
public object DataSource
{
 get
 {
 return this.dataGridView1.DataSource;
 }

 set
 {
 this.dataGridView1.DataSource = value;
 }
}

<Category("Data"), _
Description("Indicates the source of data for the control."), _
RefreshProperties(RefreshProperties.Repaint), _
AttributeProvider(GetType(IListSource))> _
Public Property DataSource() As Object
 Get
 Return Me.dataGridView1.DataSource
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As Object)
 Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = value
 End Set
End Property

[Category("Data")]
[Description("Indicates a sub-list of the data source to show in the control.")]
public string DataMember
{
 get
 {
 return this.dataGridView1.DataMember;
 }

 set
 {
 this.dataGridView1.DataMember = value;
 }
}

<Category("Data"), _
Description("Indicates a sub-list of the data source to show in the control.")> _
Public Property DataMember() As String
 Get
 Return Me.dataGridView1.DataMember
 End Get

 Set(ByVal value As String)
 Me.dataGridView1.DataMember = value
 End Set
End Property

Compiling the Code

• The form that hosts the AttributesDemoControl requires a reference to the AttributesDemoControl assembly in order to build.

See also

• IComparable
• DataGridView
• Create new controls overview
• Attributes in Windows Forms Controls
• How to: Serialize Collections of Standard Types with the DesignerSerializationVisibilityAttribute