Custom CompareValidator Control

Question

User1491655232 posted

 This is my first custom control (so don't laugh ) and I'm attempting to use the CustomValidator class and validate a date and time.  I added the tag to the HTML page and wired up two textboxes but, it's not working.  When I add breakpoints in the code for this class it's not being called and I have the Web.Config file debug='true'.  I know there is something way off here but, I'm not sure how to proceed and I was unable to locate a good reading on the subject.  Can any wise ASP.NET guru's provide me with some assistance?

Imports System.Web
Imports System.Web.UI
Imports System.Web.UI.WebControls
Imports System.ComponentModel

Namespace JTControls
    Public Class DateAndTimeValidator
        Inherits CompareValidator

        Protected Overrides Function EvaluateIsValid() As Boolean
            Return Me.ValidateDateTime
        End Function

        Protected Overrides Function ControlPropertiesValid() As Boolean
            Dim ctrlValidate As Control = TryCast(FindControl(ControlToValidate), TextBox)
            Dim ctrlCompare As Control = TryCast(FindControl(ControlToCompare), TextBox)
            If ctrlValidate Is Nothing Or ctrlCompare Is Nothing Then
                Return False
            ElseIf Not ctrlValidate Is Nothing And Not ctrlCompare Is Nothing Then
                Return True
            End If
        End Function

        Private Function ValidateDateTime() As Boolean
            Dim RegExTime As New Regex("^((([0]?[1-9]|1[0-2])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?( )?(AM|am|aM|Am|PM|pm|pM|Pm))|(([0]?[0-9]|1[0-9]|2[0-3])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?))$")
            Dim RegExDate As New Regex("^((((0[13578])|([13578])|(1[02]))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(3[01])))|(((0[469])|([469])|(11))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(30)))|((2|02)[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9]))))[\/]\d{4}$|^\d{4}$")

            If ControlToCompare = "" Or ControlToValidate = "" Then
                Return False
            End If

            If RegExTime.IsMatch(Me.ControlToCompare) = True And RegExDate.IsMatch(Me.ControlToValidate) = True Or _
            RegExDate.IsMatch(Me.ControlToCompare) = True And RegExTime.IsMatch(Me.ControlToValidate) = True Then
                Return True
            Else : Return False
            End If
        End Function
    End Class
End Namespace

 

Answer 1

User1738250506 posted

CompareValidator is used to compare two values. Below is the code I have written some time ago for date validation. It is in C# but I hope you can convert it to VB. The base class PortalBaseValidator is my custom class and does not contain any useful code for this discussion.

 

	[DefaultProperty ("Text")]
	[ToolboxData ("<{0}:DayValidator runat=server></{0}:DayValidator>")]
	public class DayValidator : PortalBaseValidator
	{
		private Control monthControl = null;
		private Control yearControl = null;

		protected override void AddAttributesToRender (HtmlTextWriter writer)
		{
			base.AddAttributesToRender (writer);
			if (base.RenderUplevel)
			{
				writer.AddAttribute ("evaluationfunction", "DayValidatorEvaluateIsValid");
				writer.AddAttribute ("monthcontrol", monthControl.ClientID);
				writer.AddAttribute ("yearcontrol", yearControl.ClientID);
			}
		}

		protected override bool ControlPropertiesValid ()
		{
			if (!base.ControlPropertiesValid ())
			{
				return false;
			}

			monthControl = FindControl (MonthControlID) as Control;
			yearControl = FindControl (YearControlID) as Control;

			if ((monthControl == null) || (yearControl == null))
			{
				return false;
			}

			base.CheckControlValidationProperty (MonthControlID, "MonthControlID");
			base.CheckControlValidationProperty (YearControlID, "YearControlID");

			return true;
		}

		protected override bool EvaluateIsValid ()
		{
			string strDay = base.GetControlValidationValue (ControlToValidate);
			string strMonth = base.GetControlValidationValue (MonthControlID);
			string strYear = base.GetControlValidationValue (YearControlID);

			try
			{
				DateTime dtTemp = new DateTime (int.Parse (strYear), int.Parse (strMonth), int.Parse (strDay));
			}
			catch
			{
				return false;
			}

			return true;
		}

		[Category ("Behavior")]
		[DefaultValue ("")]
		[Description ("The ID of the Month control")]
		public string MonthControlID
		{
			get
			{
				string strValue = ViewState["MonthControlID"] as string;
				return (strValue ?? (string) (TypeHelper.GetDefaultAttribute (this, "MonthControlID", MemberTypes.Property).Value));
			}

			set
			{
				ViewState["MonthControlID"] = value;
				AddHookupControl (value);
			}
		}

		[Category ("Behavior")]
		[DefaultValue ("")]
		[Description ("The ID of the Year control")]
		public string YearControlID
		{
			get
			{
				string strValue = ViewState["YearControlID"] as string;
				return (strValue ?? (string) (TypeHelper.GetDefaultAttribute (this, "YearControlID", MemberTypes.Property).Value));
			}

			set
			{
				ViewState["YearControlID"] = value;
				AddHookupControl (value);
			}
		}
	}

 

Answer 2

User1491655232 posted

 Okay, here is what I've gotten so far but, I don't think I have the properties for the Id's correct.  It looks like you're getting the value of the control from viewstate and then somehow getting the ID using the value; anybody know how to translate this to .NET?  Here is what I have:

Imports System.Web
Imports System.Web.UI
Imports System.Web.UI.WebControls
Imports System.ComponentModel

Namespace JTControls
    Public Class DateAndTimeValidator
        Inherits BaseCompareValidator
        Private _DateControl As Control
        Private _TimeControl As Control

        Protected Overrides Sub AddAttributesToRender(ByVal writer As System.Web.UI.HtmlTextWriter)
            MyBase.AddAttributesToRender(writer)
            If MyBase.RenderUplevel = True Then
                writer.AddAttribute("evaluationfunction", "DayTimeEvaluatorIsValid")
                writer.AddAttribute("DateControl", _DateControl.ClientID)
                writer.AddAttribute("TimeControl", _TimeControl.ClientID)
            End If
        End Sub

        Protected Overrides Function EvaluateIsValid() As Boolean
            If Me.ValidateDateTime = True Then
                Return True
            ElseIf Me.ValidateDateTime = False Then
                Return False
            End If
        End Function

        Protected Overrides Function ControlPropertiesValid() As Boolean
            _DateControl = FindControl(DateControl)
            _TimeControl = FindControl(TimeControl)

            If _DateControl Is Nothing Or _TimeControl Is Nothing Then
                Return False
            End If

            MyBase.CheckControlValidationProperty("DateControl", "DateControl")
            MyBase.CheckControlValidationProperty("TimeControl", "TimeControl")

            If IsDate(_DateControl) = True And IsDate(_TimeControl) = True Then
                Return True
            Else
                Return False
            End If
        End Function

        Private Function ValidateDateTime() As Boolean
            Dim RegExTime As New Regex("^((([0]?[1-9]|1[0-2])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?( )?(AM|am|aM|Am|PM|pm|pM|Pm))|(([0]?[0-9]|1[0-9]|2[0-3])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?))$")
            Dim RegExDate As New Regex("^((((0[13578])|([13578])|(1[02]))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(3[01])))|(((0[469])|([469])|(11))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(30)))|((2|02)[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9]))))[\/]\d{4}$|^\d{4}$")

            If Me.DateControl = "" Or Me.TimeControl = "" Then
                Return False
            End If

            If RegExTime.IsMatch(Me.DateControl) = True And RegExDate.IsMatch(Me.TimeControl) = True Or _
            RegExDate.IsMatch(Me.TimeControl) = True And RegExTime.IsMatch(Me.DateControl) = True Then
                Return True
            Else : Return False
            End If
        End Function

        Public Property DateControl() As String
            Get
                Dim Value As String = ViewState("DateControl")
                Return Value
            End Get
            Set(ByVal value As String)
                ViewState("DateControl") = value
            End Set
        End Property
        Public Property TimeControl() As String
            Get
                Dim Value As String = ViewState("TimeControl")
                Return Value
            End Get
            Set(ByVal value As String)
                ViewState("TimeControl") = value
            End Set
        End Property
    End Class
End Namespace

 

Answer 3

User1491655232 posted

 I was able to get the validation working on the client side and server side.  The only problem I'm having now is the client side validation isn't occurring on the DateControl or TimeControl; it only occurs on the client side when I ALSO set one of the controls to the ControlToValidate property.  How do I add this functionality to the DateControl and TimeControl properties?  Here is my code for the Custome Validator control:

Imports System.Web
Imports System.Web.UI
Imports System.Web.UI.WebControls
Imports System.ComponentModel

Namespace JTControls
    Public Class DateAndTimeValidator
        Inherits BaseValidator
        Private _DateControl As TextBox
        Private _TimeControl As TextBox

        Protected Overrides Sub OnPreRender(ByVal e As System.EventArgs)
            If Me.DetermineRenderUplevel() AndAlso Me.EnableClientScript Then
                Page.ClientScript.RegisterExpandoAttribute(Me.ClientID, "evaluationfunction", "CheckDateAndTime")
                Me.CreateJavaScript()
            End If
            MyBase.OnPreRender(e)
        End Sub

        Protected Sub CreateJavaScript()
            Dim sb As StringBuilder = New StringBuilder()
            sb.Append("<script type=""text/javascript"">function CheckDateAndTime(ctrl){")
            sb.Append("var ctrlDate = document.getElementById(ctrl.DateControl);")
            sb.Append("var ctrlTime = document.getElementById(ctrl.TimeControl);")
            sb.Append("var RegExDate = /^((((0[13578])|([13578])|(1[02]))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(3[01])))|(((0[469])|([469])|(11))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(30)))|((2|02)[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9]))))[\/]\d{4}$|^\d{4}$/;")
            sb.Append("var RegExTime = /^((([0]?[1-9]|1[0-2])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?( )?(AM|am|aM|Am|PM|pm|pM|Pm))|(([0]?[0-9]|1[0-9]|2[0-3])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?))$/;")
            sb.Append("if (ctrlDate.value == '' && ctrlTime.value == '')")
            sb.Append("{return true;}")
            sb.Append("if (! RegExDate.test(ctrlDate.value) && ! RegExDate.test(ctrlTime.value))")
            sb.Append("{return false;}")
            sb.Append("if (! RegExTime.test(ctrlDate.value) && ! RegExTime.test(ctrlTime.value))")
            sb.Append("{return false;}")
            sb.Append("return true;}")
            sb.Append("</script>")
            Page.ClientScript.RegisterClientScriptBlock(Me.GetType(), "JSScript", sb.ToString())
        End Sub

        Protected Overrides Sub AddAttributesToRender(ByVal writer As System.Web.UI.HtmlTextWriter)
            MyBase.AddAttributesToRender(writer)
            If MyBase.RenderUplevel = True Then
                writer.AddAttribute("DateControl", _DateControl.ClientID)
                writer.AddAttribute("TimeControl", _TimeControl.ClientID)
            End If
        End Sub

        Protected Overrides Function EvaluateIsValid() As Boolean
            If Me.ValidateDateTime = True Then
                Return True
            ElseIf Me.ValidateDateTime = False Then
                Return False
            End If
        End Function

        Protected Overrides Function ControlPropertiesValid() As Boolean
            _DateControl = FindControl(DateControl)
            _TimeControl = FindControl(TimeControl)

            If _DateControl Is Nothing Or _TimeControl Is Nothing Then
                Return False
            End If

            MyBase.CheckControlValidationProperty(DateControl, "DateControl")
            MyBase.CheckControlValidationProperty(TimeControl, "TimeControl")

            Return True
        End Function

        Private Function ValidateDateTime() As Boolean
            Dim RegExTime As New Regex("^((([0]?[1-9]|1[0-2])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?( )?(AM|am|aM|Am|PM|pm|pM|Pm))|(([0]?[0-9]|1[0-9]|2[0-3])(:|\.)[0-5][0-9]((:|\.)[0-5][0-9])?))$")
            Dim RegExDate As New Regex("^((((0[13578])|([13578])|(1[02]))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(3[01])))|(((0[469])|([469])|(11))[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9])|(30)))|((2|02)[\/](([1-9])|([0-2][0-9]))))[\/]\d{4}$|^\d{4}$")

            If _DateControl.Text = "" And _TimeControl.Text = "" Then
                Return True
            End If

            If RegExDate.IsMatch(Me._DateControl.Text) = True And RegExTime.IsMatch(Me._TimeControl.Text) = True Or _
            RegExDate.IsMatch(Me._TimeControl.Text) = True And RegExTime.IsMatch(Me._DateControl.Text) = True Then
                Return True
            Else : Return False
            End If
        End Function

        Public Property DateControl() As String
            Get
                Dim Value As String = ViewState("DateControl")
                Return Value
            End Get
            Set(ByVal value As String)
                ViewState("DateControl") = value
            End Set
        End Property
        Public Property TimeControl() As String
            Get
                Dim Value As String = ViewState("TimeControl")
                Return Value
            End Get
            Set(ByVal value As String)
                ViewState("TimeControl") = value
            End Set
        End Property
    End Class
End Namespace

 

Answer 4

User-2106054853 posted

 Hi,

To do a server side validation using the Validator control, please refer to:

http://quickstarts.asp.net/QuickStartv20/util/srcview.aspx?path=~/aspnet/samples/validation/RequiredFieldValidator.src

in the quickstart:

http://quickstarts.asp.net/QuickStartv20/aspnet/doc/validation/default.aspx#types

Answer 5

User1491655232 posted

Sorry Mr. Chen, that isn't what I need. 

To clarify, I have two controls passed to my custom validator (DateControl & TimeControl) and the validator does perform client-side validation as well as server-side validation on both the controls but, I have to set the ControlToValidate for the client side validation to one of the controls for the client-side validation to occur and even then it only occurs on the control that is assigned to the ControlToValidate.  I want the client side validation to occur when the text in either the DateControl or TimeControl is changed.  I believe it has something to do with Microsoft's validation script library.

Answer 6

User-2106054853 posted

 Hi,

First, I don't think we shall put any Control into the Validator class. You're writing a Validator control so what's the purpose to add Controls to it as property? You can expose string property that accept Control's ID instead. Then in the code of Validator control you can use FindControl method to get the reference of the control.

Secondly, BaseValidator is intended to validate one control. If you want to validate a lot of controls in one validator you can expose extra string properties, as mentioned above. If you want to add client validation for those controls you have to do a lot of stuffs to hook client side events. In your case you have to hook client side events on your own for either the DateControl or TimeControl control.