Web parts for SharePoint

What’s a web part?Application that can be added to a page

with a web part zone.Inhierits from web controlsCan be developed using C# or VBThe concept of web parts are not just for

SharePoint

Web part lifecycle

Without postback With postback

OnInitOnLoadCreateChildControl

sOnPreRenderRender

OnInitCreateChildContr

olsOnLoadOnPreRenderRender

OnInitUsed to initialize controls.

OnLoadSet the basic layout of the web part like

TitleChrometypeWidth/height

These can also be found in the properties of the web part and be set individually after the web part has been deployed.

CreateChildControlsCreate child controls and layout here

OnPreRenderUsed for tasks that needs to be executed

before the web part is rendered.Load data

RenderRenders the whole web partOnly overwritten i rare situations i case of

special rendering requirements

<name>.webpartDescription for the web part shown in the

Web part Gallery

<name>.xmlAdds the web part to a group in the Web

part GalleryIf a group is not specified, the web part is

placed in the group Miscelleaneous

Feature.xmlLocation of the <name>.xmlLocation of the <name>.webpart

Manifest.xmlTells where the feature.xml file is locatedLocation of the assembly

Create your own propertiesEnables you to add string/integer (textboxes),

bool (checkboxes), collection (dropdownlists) to your properties.

The web part already contains properties, so all you have to do is add your own.

Extend your propertiesToolpartsEnables you to add listboxes, peoplepicker,

buttons etc. to the properties.Has it’s own lifecycle similar to a web part.

Time to deployTwo ways to deploy your wsp file:

1. Using install.bat (created by VS for you to use) REMEMBER to change the URL in the install.bat if you

want to install it on a server with a different name.

2. Using stsadm stsadm -o addsolution -filename <Solution

filename> stsadm -o activatefeature {-filename <relative

path to Feature.xml> | -name <feature folder> | -id <feature Id>} [-url <url>] [-force]

A complete list of stsadm operations can be found here: http://blogs.technet.com/josebda/archive/2008/03/15/complete-reference-of-all-stsadm-operations-with-parameters-in-moss-2007-sp1.aspx

My favorite sites for SharePoint:http://www.codeproject.comhttp://tonybierman.blogspot.com/http://www.sharepoint-tips.com/http://stsadm.blogspot.com/Google Groups

Debate - Why use web parts?

Pros ConsIntegated part of

SharePointThe developer is

provided with libraries to make the development of web parts easier

Consistens in design throughtout the web parts

Might work in test environment but not in production

Requires custom development

Requires knowledge of the internal structure in SharePoint