Hi

I am trying to make it quicker to use VS.NET to make applications that
maintain data in datasets.

My goal is to use the designers to do all databinding.

My problem is that I haven't found any easy way to use the data from the
forms as the "RAD-data bound data" of the user controls.

Typically, I have a set of data that is related in some ways, and that is of
a nature that it makes sense to load all data into memory at the same time.

To avoid having too much code in the same file - and to enhance resuability,
I want to organize the different areas I want to maintain in different user
controls. These could be used in pop-up windows and/or tabs in a tab
control.

I hope I have just not "checked the right button" - but my "research" tells
me this is not the case...

Example:
------------
Teams -table
Coaches - table

Data set: FootballData - both tables - and relation between Teams.FK_Coach
and Coaches.ID_Coach

One editor for the Teams and one for the Coaches - the Teams need to link to
one coach.

Form level:
An instance of a typed dataset: footballData1
A data view for footballData1.Teams and one for footballData1.Coaches -
dvTeams and dvCoaches.
In addition: a data view for Coach-dropdown on teams page - dvTeamCoaches
(table: footballData1.Coaches)
Loaded on Form_Load - and saved when "btnSave" is clicked. (both tables)

Tab One:
Data grid focusing on dvCoaches

Tab two
Data grid focusing on dvTeams. This includes a drop-down which has
dvTeamCoaches as data source, bound to FK_Coach

Result
---------
When not using user controls - this works perfectly. Whenever I add or
change a coach, it is instantly reflected on the team page, and I get an
exception when I try to delete a coach that is in use.

When I put the content of the tabs (along with data views belonging to the
tab) into user controls - i get problems.

To easily design the user controls using the designers, I have to add the
data set also to the user controls. (or is there another way?).

This instantiates a new data set - not the one I am to use.

The controls exposes the data set through get/set. When the data is
assigned - the problems occur.

The databindings on the form is always done before the property is set - in
the InitializeComponent-method.

When the data is changed aftwards, the bindings are still tied to the empty
instance of the data.

If i "rebind" by "manually" do the binding, everything works - but this
breaks the "RAD"-thing - I have to create my own binding-method that unbinds
old data, then binds the individual control. So if I add or replace a
control, I have to reprogram the binding-code.

Is there a easier way to make this "automatic"?

Why didn't Microsoft separate the databinding from the rest of the
initialize-code - if they did, it would be possible to loop through all
controls - removing all bindings (even better: generated binding method
supports a flag for unbinding), and then calling the binding-code to rebind.

Regards,
Harald Bjor?y