Newbie: How do I create Dynamic instrument widgets in ASP.NET

Hello,
I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
so) and not just on page load.
With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
like a real pain to develop instruments in.)
I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
guess my only real choice is Java Applets !
Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
technology would be appreciated.
Thanks
JulesThere may well be other ways of acheiving this kind of thing, but you could
just refresh the image (in JS) representing the clock
or you could use the WebBehaviour stuff, this will allow you to connect to a
webservice on the server (using JS again) then you can update your clock or
gauge or whatever in the JS on the client.
"Jules" <Roseanna80@.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:80bc211e.0503310335.15a8c492@.posting.google.com...
> Hello,
> I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
> widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
> browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
> these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
> so) and not just on page load.
> With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
> code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
> guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
> and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
> ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
> upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
> data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
> like a real pain to develop instruments in.)
> I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
> and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
> guess my only real choice is Java Applets !
> Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
> technology would be appreciated.
> Thanks
> Jules
I'd say your requirements don't lend themselves to building a browser based
application. Consider building a traditional fat client app using ClickOnce
or NoTouch Deployment. A java applet is really no different.
-Brock
DevelopMentor
http://staff.develop.com/ballen

> Hello,
> I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
> widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
> browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
> these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
> so) and not just on page load.
> With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
> code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
> guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
> and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
> ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
> upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
> data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
> like a real pain to develop instruments in.)
> I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
> and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
> guess my only real choice is Java Applets !
> Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
> technology would be appreciated.
> Thanks
> Jules
>

Newbie: How do I create Dynamic instrument widgets in ASP.NET

Hello,

I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
so) and not just on page load.

With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
like a real pain to develop instruments in.)

I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
guess my only real choice is Java Applets !

Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
technology would be appreciated.

Thanks

JulesThere may well be other ways of acheiving this kind of thing, but you could
just refresh the image (in JS) representing the clock

or you could use the WebBehaviour stuff, this will allow you to connect to a
webservice on the server (using JS again) then you can update your clock or
gauge or whatever in the JS on the client.

"Jules" <Roseanna80@.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:80bc211e.0503310335.15a8c492@.posting.google.c om...
> Hello,
> I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
> widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
> browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
> these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
> so) and not just on page load.
> With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
> code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
> guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
> and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
> ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
> upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
> data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
> like a real pain to develop instruments in.)
> I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
> and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
> guess my only real choice is Java Applets !
> Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
> technology would be appreciated.
> Thanks
> Jules
I'd say your requirements don't lend themselves to building a browser based
application. Consider building a traditional fat client app using ClickOnce
or NoTouch Deployment. A java applet is really no different.

-Brock
DevelopMentor
http://staff.develop.com/ballen

> Hello,
> I want to create a dynamic web page, which presents various instrument
> widgets (Temperatures, pressures, rpm gauges, speeds etc.) in a
> browser, with continous data updates from Server side data. Obviously
> these instruments need to be constantly refreshed (every 0.5 second or
> so) and not just on page load.
> With Windows Forms, and GDI I can do this with networked Thick Client
> code. I can also do dynamic web instruments with Java Applets, and I
> guess DHTML/Javascript. But I really want to do the instruments in C#
> and .NET. But I don't think that I can achieve this, because http and
> ASP.NET is based upon a page based paradigm. The new ASP.NEt is based
> upon Server side controls, that won't refresh my instruments with live
> data, once the page is downloaded. (Traditional DHTML/Javascript looks
> like a real pain to develop instruments in.)
> I am agreat fan of .NET technologies, but I was hoping for better MS
> and .NET support for these instrument based web applications. But I
> guess my only real choice is Java Applets !
> Any suggestions on how I can achieve dynamic web instruments with .NET
> technology would be appreciated.
> Thanks
> Jules

newbie: Master pages... dynamic content...

Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
will look something like this:
----
| Title |
----
| | button navigation bar |
| | ---|
| | |
| Menu| |
| | Content |
| | |
| | |
| | |
---
Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)
The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
office document, etc).
The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
when the menu is clicked?
I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
objects?
Can anyone help a web rookie ?You have some incorrect notions.
Master pages can have dynamic content. The isue is they are a little harder
to ahve the page update master page content, but it is not impossible. And,
if you have the master page render dynamically, there is no issue. I see no
reason why a user driven menu cannot be placed in a master page.
If you use master pages, the different content is fairly easy. If not, you
will need another option. DotNet Nuke is an option and would be easier than
rolling your own.
Third choice, way out in left field, is to create your own engine to render
the pages. I would inherit from page to do this, as you can have your class
handle most of the lifting. User controls are also an option for content, if
you wish to use a model-view-controller type of set up. I would shy away
from any of these choices, esp. as a rookie, unless the master pages and
DotNet Nuke fail to work.
NOTE: Check out the starter kits under downloads at www.asp.net. They will
give you a good framework to start from.
Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA
http://gregorybeamer.spaces.live.com
****************************************
****
Think outside the box!
****************************************
****
"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168276140.365434.16250@.42g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
> Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
> I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
> will look something like this:
> ----
> | Title |
> ----
> | | button navigation bar |
> | | ---|
> | | |
> | Menu| |
> | | Content |
> | | |
> | | |
> | | |
> ---
> Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
> user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
> treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)
> The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
> office document, etc).
> The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
> when the menu is clicked?
> I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
> be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
> ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
> objects?
> Can anyone help a web rookie ?
>
I have a treeview in a master page, and I display pdf files(EKGs and X-Rays)
in the content pages using an <embed> tag. The 'src' attribute of the embed
tag is assigned when the content page loads based on the query string used
to open the content page when a treeview node is clicked.
"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168276140.365434.16250@.42g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
> Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
> I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
> will look something like this:
> ----
> | Title |
> ----
> | | button navigation bar |
> | | ---|
> | | |
> | Menu| |
> | | Content |
> | | |
> | | |
> | | |
> ---
> Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
> user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
> treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)
> The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
> office document, etc).
> The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
> when the menu is clicked?
> I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
> be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
> ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
> objects?
> Can anyone help a web rookie ?
>
Gregory,
Thanks for the reply. I'm excited at the possibility of making this
work.
I've got hundreds (if not a thousand) content pages that I need to be
target for the "child page". Problem is I don't want to modify all
the pages - in fact, the majority of the pages are on remote servers
that I have no access to - so I really just need to be able to point
to a URL and have it load in the child page. Can I still use master
pages to make this work?
I've reviewed ASP.NET downloads haven't found anything that suits my
situation - any other pointer or code snippets would be greatly
appreciated! Please Let me know what you think either way.
celoftis
Thanks... I'll keep that in mind.
The content inside a 'child page' needs to be inside a ContentPlaceHolderID
control. Also - the page needs to have the .aspx extension and have a
reference at the top of that content page, to the master page.
David Wier
MVP/ASPInsider
http://aspnet101.com
http://aspexpress.com
"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168447380.383686.248680@.i56g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Gregory,
> Thanks for the reply. I'm excited at the possibility of making this
> work.
> I've got hundreds (if not a thousand) content pages that I need to be
> target for the "child page". Problem is I don't want to modify all
> the pages - in fact, the majority of the pages are on remote servers
> that I have no access to - so I really just need to be able to point
> to a URL and have it load in the child page. Can I still use master
> pages to make this work?
> I've reviewed ASP.NET downloads haven't found anything that suits my
> situation - any other pointer or code snippets would be greatly
> appreciated! Please Let me know what you think either way.
> celoftis
>
David,
Thanks for the reply...
So, for my specifc situation (not being able to access all the content
pages), it looks like master pages are not going to work - do you
agree?
But if I could modify the content of all the child pages, then I could
use a script to wrap the existing page(s) with
ContentPlaceHolderID(s)... seems real messy.

newbie: Master pages... dynamic content...

Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
will look something like this:
----------------
| Title |
----------------
| | button navigation bar |
| | ------------|
| | |
| Menu| |
| | Content |
| | |
| | |
| | |
---------------

Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)

The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
office document, etc).

The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
when the menu is clicked?

I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
objects?
Can anyone help a web rookie ?You have some incorrect notions.

Master pages can have dynamic content. The isue is they are a little harder
to ahve the page update master page content, but it is not impossible. And,
if you have the master page render dynamically, there is no issue. I see no
reason why a user driven menu cannot be placed in a master page.

If you use master pages, the different content is fairly easy. If not, you
will need another option. DotNet Nuke is an option and would be easier than
rolling your own.

Third choice, way out in left field, is to create your own engine to render
the pages. I would inherit from page to do this, as you can have your class
handle most of the lifting. User controls are also an option for content, if
you wish to use a model-view-controller type of set up. I would shy away
from any of these choices, esp. as a rookie, unless the master pages and
DotNet Nuke fail to work.

NOTE: Check out the starter kits under downloads at www.asp.net. They will
give you a good framework to start from.

--
Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA
http://gregorybeamer.spaces.live.com
********************************************
Think outside the box!
********************************************
"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.comwrote in message
news:1168276140.365434.16250@.42g2000cwt.googlegrou ps.com...

Quote:

Originally Posted by

Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
will look something like this:
----------------
| Title |
----------------
| | button navigation bar |
| | ------------|
| | |
| Menu| |
| | Content |
| | |
| | |
| | |
---------------
>
Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)
>
The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
office document, etc).
>
The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
when the menu is clicked?
>
I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
objects?
Can anyone help a web rookie ?
>

I have a treeview in a master page, and I display pdf files(EKGs and X-Rays)
in the content pages using an <embedtag. The 'src' attribute of the embed
tag is assigned when the content page loads based on the query string used
to open the content page when a treeview node is clicked.

"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.comwrote in message
news:1168276140.365434.16250@.42g2000cwt.googlegrou ps.com...

Quote:

Originally Posted by

Using VS2005, VB codebehind,
I'm porting a windows app to the web - My main page is very simple and
will look something like this:
----------------
| Title |
----------------
| | button navigation bar |
| | ------------|
| | |
| Menu| |
| | Content |
| | |
| | |
| | |
---------------
>
Menu is a treeview control that is (potientially) different for each
user that visits the site. (nodes are dynamically populated in the
treeview via code behind based on user's role and auth. level)
>
The Content can be any object renderable by a browser (HTM, flash, pdf,
office document, etc).
>
The question is can i display different web forms in the content part
when the menu is clicked?
>
I've looked at master pages but from what I understand they would only
be able to display HTM in the "Content" area. Does anyone have any
ideas on how to allow the content area to display other types of
objects?
Can anyone help a web rookie ?
>

Gregory,
Thanks for the reply. I'm excited at the possibility of making this
work.
I've got hundreds (if not a thousand) content pages that I need to be
target for the "child page". Problem is I don't want to modify all
the pages - in fact, the majority of the pages are on remote servers
that I have no access to - so I really just need to be able to point
to a URL and have it load in the child page. Can I still use master
pages to make this work?

I've reviewed ASP.NET downloads haven't found anything that suits my
situation - any other pointer or code snippets would be greatly
appreciated! Please Let me know what you think either way.

celoftis
Thanks... I'll keep that in mind.
The content inside a 'child page' needs to be inside a ContentPlaceHolderID
control. Also - the page needs to have the .aspx extension and have a
reference at the top of that content page, to the master page.

--
David Wier
MVP/ASPInsider
http://aspnet101.com
http://aspexpress.com
"celoftis" <celoftis@.gmail.comwrote in message
news:1168447380.383686.248680@.i56g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...

Quote:

Originally Posted by

Gregory,
Thanks for the reply. I'm excited at the possibility of making this
work.
I've got hundreds (if not a thousand) content pages that I need to be
target for the "child page". Problem is I don't want to modify all
the pages - in fact, the majority of the pages are on remote servers
that I have no access to - so I really just need to be able to point
to a URL and have it load in the child page. Can I still use master
pages to make this work?
>
I've reviewed ASP.NET downloads haven't found anything that suits my
situation - any other pointer or code snippets would be greatly
appreciated! Please Let me know what you think either way.
>
celoftis
>

David,
Thanks for the reply...

So, for my specifc situation (not being able to access all the content
pages), it looks like master pages are not going to work - do you
agree?

But if I could modify the content of all the child pages, then I could
use a script to wrap the existing page(s) with
ContentPlaceHolderID(s)... seems real messy.