May
26
Written by:
Michael Washington
5/26/2013 8:32 AM
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Microsoft MVP and Visual Studio LightSwitch Insider, Alessandro Del Sole recently released an extension that “provides an easy way to install a number of JavaScript code snippets for the LightSwitch HTML Client created by the LightSwitch Team at Microsoft”.
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When you install the extension, you can right-click in your code files in Visual Studio and select a code snippet. After you select the code snippet, you alter it to fit your particular program.
This saves you a lot of time.
Making Your Own Code Snippets
Alessandro has created a Snippet Package Builder to allow you to package your own code snippets.
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I decided to use it to help you create the code to implement the JQuery Mobile Reflow Table in Visual Studio LightSwitch that was covered in the article: LightSwitch HTML Client For The Desktop Web Browser.
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The first step was to install a plug-in that would allow me to make code snippets. I used Snippet Designer.
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In Visual Studio LightSwitch, I highlight the code I want to use as a snippet, I right-click on it and select Export as Snippet.
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This causes the code to show in the snippet designer.
I use the designer to make the snippet customizable.
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The Save button saves the snippet.
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I test the snippet by right-clicking on a code file and selecting Insert Snippet.
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I will be able to navigate to any saved snippet and implement it.
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To package it, I select View > Other Windows > Snippet Package Builder.
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I enter the information for the package.
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I add the snippets.
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I then click Build VSIX to build the package.
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Now I can redistribute the VSIX.
To use it, just run it and it will install.
Using The Reflow Table Snippet
Create a LightSwitch project and update it to JQuery Mobile 1.3.0 (or higher).
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Use a Custom Control for a collection and select Edit Render Code.
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Right-click on the code file and select the reflow table snippet (under LightSwitch – JavaScript).
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The replaceable sections will be highlighted. Replace the sections to match the elements of your page.
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When complete, remove the original method declaration.
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When you run the project, the table will display.
This snippet only gets you started, you will still need to see the article:
LightSwitch HTML Client For The Desktop Web Browser
to enhance the table and implement paging.
Special Thanks
A very special thanks to Alessandro Del Sole.
Download Code
The VSIX extension is available at:
http://silverlight.adefwebserver.com/Files/LightSwitch/lsReflowTable.zip
(you must have Visual Studio 2012 Update 2 installed to run the code)