Pop Up Window Data Variable Passing

Question

I am creating a web application for my company that needs to deal with form processing and database manipulation. The application is implemented using .NET Framework 3.5 using C# and Visual Studio 2008 as the IDE and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 as the database.

Here is my problem:

1. I have a lot of forms

2. But my boss only want me to create a single page for the database processing (easier to extend in the future)

I figured out the only way to solve this problem is by having only 1 .aspx file (that contains everything about the database) and having it invoked as a pop up window everytime a forms need to deal with the database.

Here is another problem of mine:

1. Due to stateless nature of HTTP, I am unable to process and pass variable between 2 different windows.

2. I managed to create certain Javascript functions and have the variable transferred on display, however it can only pass a variable that is the primary key in the table. To process other columns in the table is possible but as the consequence I have to write a very long inline script in my .aspx page and after it is compiled people can easily view how to access my company database easily. Hence, I don't favor this (beside to deal with 1 form, I need to create a long code already, imagine if i have more than 1000 forms!)

So there are two ways you guys can help me:

1. Suggest another way other than popping up a new window for my problem, maybe even advise on how it's implemented.

2. If you think popping up is the solution, you mind to share some snippets that can help me figure out the variable passing between two different windows. I can use some advise especially from some Javascript expert on this :).

Note: Solution must be workable in ASP.NET Framework 3.5 and tested using IE browser version: 8.

P.S: This is a short explanation about my application flow

1. Let's say I entered data about a product (it has few properties id, name, price, etc) into the database

2. Later on somehow I want to edit one or few properties of that product, so I have to launch a form which called "editor.aspx"

3. Instead of entering the product id (which is the primary key) into the form (and edit the data based on the entered product id) and risking to miscalculately edit the correct data, I provide a small button in the form (let's name it btSearch), that will launch a new popup window which contains the gridview of the database of all product (with selection enabled)

4. Now I just need to browse through the gridview, select a particular row, it will close the popup and I expect to see few data from that row appeared on my original page (in the textboxes/labels)

I hope my explanation above clears the air, thank you.

Answer 1

Thank's for all answers, comments. rates, and feedback. Just now I found a very helpful link here. Basically the answer is based on that particular code. I just need to alter some part.

<script language="javascript">

function GetRowValue(val)
{
    window.opener.document.getElementById("ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_TextBox2").value = val;
   // make sure you change the TextBoxId as respective to your creation 
    window.close();
}

</script>

<asp:GridView ID="GridView1" runat="server" DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1">
<Columns>
<!-- Reserve the code below, as after you configure data source you -->
<!-- will alter this code drastically therefore-->
<!--you have to make sure to paste this code --> 
<!-- again inside this Gridview element once you configure your data source -->
    <asp:TemplateField>
        <AlternatingItemTemplate>
            <asp:Button ID="btnSelect" runat="server" Text="Select" />
        </AlternatingItemTemplate>
        <ItemTemplate>
            <asp:Button ID="btnSelect" runat="server" Text="Select" />
        </ItemTemplate>
    </asp:TemplateField>
<!-- This part must be reserved -->
</Columns>

Also remember to specify the connection string and the sql command in the datasource.

The rest just follow that tutorial and copy paste the code entirely.

Answer 2

If you're using a popup window, you can always use QueryStrings to pass a value going to your popup.

window.open("popup_page.aspx?id=" + id + "&name=" + name)

to access it in popup_page.aspx

string sID = Request.QueryString("id");
string sName = Request.QueryString("name");

Update: if you're using IE the this might help you.

function ShowPopup(strMessage) 
{   
   var returnValue= window.showModalDialog("popup_page.aspx");

}

popup_page.aspx

<asp:Button ID="btnReturnValue" runat="server" Text="Proceed" OnClientClick="window.returnValue='some message';window.close();" />

Note: Please note this only works in IE, so I suggest consider using the followings instead:

jQuery

AjaxControlToolkit ModalPopup

I personally suggest the use of jQuery. :)

Answer 3

I recently wrote something like that: A database handler as aspx file. But i invoked it by using ajax / jquery.

When my aspx file is done, i write something to the response stream, some code, a json string, what ever.

Example:

$.post("yourdatabasehandler.aspx", { name: "John", lastname: "Smith" }, function(data) {
    alert("Response from page: " + data);
  });

In that example, name and lastname are values that are posted to your site. You can access them like that:

string name = Request.Params["name"]
// Do your database , validation and whatever logic here
Response.Write("Cool dude");

The above javascript will alert "Cool dude" after your databasehandler is done. Inside your javascript you can react to the response how ever you want - For example reload a page.

Hope that helps? Regards

Answer 4

"1. Due to stateless nature of HTTP, I am unable to process and pass variable between 2 different windows."

You very wrong with this comment to start with, trying MSDN and ASP.Net "How to pass values between ASP.Net Web pages". Passing between Windows only requires a little bit more thought and possibly a little Javascript to refresh a parent windows or cause a postback on a shild window etc.