Thinking Out Loud

Though a bit late in posting this, SQL Server magazine has published a short video on the awards we received this year at TechEd 2008.

The video can be viewed here: http://ittv.net/DesktopModules/UltraVideoGallery/UltraVideoGallery.swf?vId=96&portalId=0  

To all of our loyal VCL customers...

We are getting ready to release the ExpressPivotGrid v2 and ExpressSpell Checker controls - Pivot Table and Spell Checking for the VCL (Delphi and C++ Builder). The release is imminent and we will certainly notify everyone via Email and our blogs/forums once both of these products are ready....in the meantime, if you have yet to see a list of new features for the ExpressPivotGrid v2 - here it is:

OLAP Data Source Support
You can now use the ExpressPivotGrid Suite to display OLAP cube data. To achieve this, simply bind your control to data via the newly introduced TcxPivotGridOLAPDataSource component. Once bound, end-user report customizations will force server-side data recalculation, which allows you to analyze large amounts of data without affecting your application's performance.

Visualizing Summary Data using Charts
ExpressPivotGrid v2 simplifies data analysis by allowing you to visualize summary data using charts available in the ExpressQuantumGrid's Chart View (sold separately). To display pivot grid data in a chart, you simply need to bind one control to another using a newly introduced component.
By default, the chart displays all data from the pivot grid's current view. This works best when you have static views and fully control your report layout within code. If you provide dynamic views (i.e. allow end-user report customization) it's best to allow end-users to control which data portion should be visualized in the chart. By enabling multiple cell selection, your users can specify the data source for the chart by selecting an appropriate cell block.

Obtaining Summary Data in a Standard Dataset
In addition to its new charting capabilities, you can now display the pivot grid's data in any data aware control.  The new TcxPivotGridSummaryDataSet component transforms a pivot report into a standard dataset. For each data cell in a pivot grid, the control generates a record in the resulting dataset. A record will contain the data cell value, as well as appropriate column and row values.

Obtaining Drill-Down Data
Previously, drill-down data sources could only be generated via code and could only be used with the ExpressQuantumGrid. In version 2, we've introduced an entirely new component that makes drill-down data management more flexible.
Let’s assume you place a pivot grid and a standard dbgrid side-by-side and that you wish to use the grid to display drill-down data for the pivot grid's currently selected cell. We now provide a codeless way to achieve this objective.  The drill-down dataset component can be automatically updated in response to cell focus change events. Thus, the drill-down grid (or any other control) will be automatically updated when used in this manner.

Data Filtering Enhancements
The ExpressPivotGrid now provides end-users with an advanced Filter Editor dialog, Filter Panel and a most recently used filter criteria list, much like that found in the ExpressQuantumGrid.

Filter dropdowns are now available in data field headers.
 
Additional enhancements include the following:
• The control’s StoreTo~ and RestoreFrom~ methods now store and restore field filters and the currently applied prefilter criteria.
• You can now respond to filter criteria changes via specially designed events.
• Filter dropdown lists now display grayed check boxes for field values that are currently filtered out.

New Summary Calculation Options
Previously, totals were always calculated based on the original (drill-down) data. This could confuse end-users with totals other than sum… For instance, if you want to display a minimum value under a group of rows, end-users will see the minimum value from the underlying dataset, not the minimum value among those visible on screen. To avoid this confusion, we now allow you to enable totals calculation based on values you see in the pivot grid, not the original raw data.
One more reason to implement this feature was to allow the display of totals for OLAP cubes, since OLAP mode doesn't allow you to access drill-down data.

Instead of actual summary values, you can now show percentage of the corresponding row or column total.

Cell Selection Enhancements
ExpressPivotGrid v2 allows end-users to select multiple cells blocks while pressing the CTRL key. In addition to simplifying data transfer via the clipboard, this new feature also affects the following data analysis options:

• Visualizing pivot grid data using the ExpressQuantumGrid's Chart View.
• Obtaining a plain dataset or drill-down data and displaying the result in a data-aware control.

All features listed above require you to use special components that can synchronize their data with the pivot grid's current selection.

You can also specify whether end-users can select data cells, subtotal cells and grand total cells.

Customizable Layout Persistence
Much like the ExpressQuantumGrid, the ExpressPivotGrid v2 allows you to specify how the control and individual field properties are persisted to external data stores. This is done via a set of specially designed events, which allow you to do the following:

Customize a list of properties to be saved.
Control property value save and restore processes.
Initialize pivot grid fields that are created during restoration.

Maximum and Minimum Value Indication
You can now easily highlight maximum and minimum values within a pivot grid control, or within individual columns and rows.

Minor Enhancements
• You can specify whether grand totals should be displayed.
• A new option allows you to display totals before (above or to the left of) corresponding data cells.
• Total headers offer customizable captions.
• The TcxNavigator component can be used to navigate data rows.
• You can change grid line color.
• New events allow you to respond to field header resizing operations.

PDC 2008 is less than 90 days away and we are excited to be platinum sponsors of the event. If you have not yet looked into it, visit microsoftpdc.com for more information.

PDC 2008 coincides with our 10th year anniversary and as such, we are planning some interesting things ... if you are using our tools, make sure you send Kevin an email and let him know you plan on being at the event (kevinw AT devexpress.com).

Over the years, we've tried very hard to build a sense of teamwork within this company...To convince everyone that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Up until today, I really believed we were a team unlike any other. Leave it to a natural disaster to set me straight.

As you may have heard, we had a 5.4 magnitude earthquake here in Los Angeles ... our cameras were rolling as Mark and Kevin were discussing the importance of teamwork within the IDE team...here's what happened:

http://tv.devexpress.com/DevExpressEarthquake.movie

We just received an Email from Nick Hodge, a Microsoft Excel MVP. He recently blogged about our ASPxPivotGrid control and spoke to some of the features our Pivot Grid supports that he'd like to see implemented in MS Excel.

http://excelusergroup.org/blogs/nickhodge/archive/2008/07/24/alternative-pivot-tables.aspx

We've just published the first iteration of the DevExpress Channel...

Feel free to kick it around some and if you have suggestions, send them to us via email - support@devexpress.com

Here is the link - tv.devexpress.com 

Since Im already in the doghouse with R&D, I figured another blog about another upcoming component for WinForms cant hurt....So here it goes.

As the title of this post implies, we are hard at work on a RichText (RTF) control for WinForms. Though not yet ready for prime time, those of you who've asked about this control should be pleased to know that we are doing our very best to ready it for DXperience v2008 vol 3....due at in the final quarter of 2008.

Im certain you all know that creating a practical and effective RTF control is not a simple task. If you're like me and have had to introduce word processing type capabilities into your application, then you know what an absolute nightmare it really is...Over the years, I must have gone through a half dozen RTF controls and the scars related to the experience remain.

Opening up the RTF control "can-of-worms" will, Im certain, lead to many requests...many demands...and ultimately, the need for a mini MS Word solution. Our hope is to address as many of the needs our customers have and still retain our sanity...........

In any event...here are the early preview screenshots of the control in action....

Our guys are going to shoot me, but I thought I'd preview what we've got in the works for Silverlight. Before I describe our Silverlight Menu-Toolbar control and the Microsoft Outlook Style Navigation Bar, I wanted to remind everyone that we've released a beta of our Silverlight DataGrid control which is available free of charge to the Silverlight developer community (to download your free copy of the AgDataGrid, visit www.devexpress.com/agdatagrid). In addition, we are hard at work on what we feel is a critical tool for serious Silverlight app development - that being the AgLayoutControl (to see it in action, visit www.devexpress.com/area51)

Onto the screenshots...Among the controls we will release for Silverlight is the AgMenu Suite. Here are some early images of the control in action, click the image to see a larger version:

Note the scroll buttons allowing you to scroll large lists within the Silverlight Menu control itself.

A 2 in 1 control, the DevExpress Silverlight Menu control will allow you to emulate a toolbar with ease...in this instance, using an Office 2007 look and feel.

Template support will be included - here we display trackbars within the drop down menu.

Now...onto the AgNavBar - as you can see it emulates the look and feel of the Office Navigation Bar...

We have yet to nail down release dates, but once we do, we'll be sure to blog about it. By the way, so as not to feel the wrath of R&D, I’m keeping my mouth shut on a couple of the other Silverlight controls that DevExpress has in the works.

We've just published a case study with Lori Haiducescu - Senior Software.

http://www.devexpress.com/Home/DeveloperStories/SeniorSoftware/

Thank you Lori for putting this together for our user community.

If you are using our tools and would like to be featured on our site, do let us know.

We've got the following changes on tap for XtraCharts v2008 vol 2...

Group Summary Calculations

There are numerous instances where analysis of every single record in your dataset is unnecessary - it's enough to see aggregated numbers (i.e. instead of viewing each sale you only need to compare how many BMWs were sold compared to Mercedes-Benz). Such data analysis is the primary purpose of our XtraPivotGrid control and can also be performed via the Group Summary feature in the XtraGrid Suite.

Previously, this kind of data analysis was available in XtraCharts only when used in combination with our PivotGrid control. This combination is no longer required since our chart control now fully supports aggregate function calculation against data groups. Traditionally, there are five built-in functions – sum, maximum, minimum, count and average. You can also implement custom aggregate functions by registering your own calculation procedure. As a result, your custom function will be available to end-users via the XtraCharts Wizard.

Top N Values Display

In a continued effort to deliver more flexible data analysis options, here's one more feature that made it from the XtraPivotGrid to XtraCharts. This feature offers you the option to display only a few of the most important values (such as sales for a few best-selling car models). Simply specify the number of best values you're interested in and XtraCharts will automatically filter out the rest.

This feature also allows you to enable the remaining values (Others) – an aggregate value calculated against all records that were filtered out.

Smart Positioning for Value Labels

Although charts display axes with tickmarks and can even display a grid within the diagram, it may be difficult for end-users to determine exact values or to compare them. In these instances, the best way to improve chart readability is to enable value labels. This solution has always had a disadvantage – if values were too close to one another, their labels could overlap.

In version 2008 vol 2, XtraCharts introduces a new label arrangement mechanism. When enabled, value label position is calculated taking into account neighboring labels and thus making certain that labels won't overlap one another.

This works in all chart types with the following two temporary exceptions.

• Labels in Pie and Donut views can't use this mechanism if they are displayed within the pie (donut) area.
• This label arrangement style does not work with the Medium Trust permission level.

Trend Lines

XtraCharts v2008 vol 2 introduces a chart element that was missing from our views – Trend Lines. These lines connect a value (Open, Close, Low or High in Financial charts) of one argument with a value of another argument. You can also force a trend line to be extrapolated.

As with many other elements in XtraCharts, Trend Lines can be hot-tracked and selected by end-users. Thus, you can allow end-users to delete or customize specific trend lines, as shown in our product demo.

Multi-Pane Charts

If you must display several series that share the same arguments or the same values, a few options are available to you:

• Display several charts
  This will require a lot of form space and this approach has no benefit of sharing argument axis.
• Display several series in one diagram
  This works fine if series can share both axes. If not, you will end up creating secondary axes, which make a chart unreadable if you have more than two series.
• Display a multi-pane chart (new option available with XtraCharts Suite v2008 vol 2)
  This chart type has multiple side-by-side charts that can share an axis - you can even enable simultaneous diagram scrolling.

Free Formatting in Chart Titles

Chart titles have improved with v2008 vol 2. You can now use HTML-like markup to format text fragments.

Miscellaneous Enhancements

• A new page has been added to the XtraCharts Wizard. This page allows you or end-users to customize the chart control's background, including background image, fill style and border settings.
• Radial and tangent label orientation styles have been implemented in Pie and Donut Views.
• In ASP.NET applications, you can now print and export charts using client-side methods (that generate appropriate callbacks).
• You have more control over grid lines when using date-time arguments. Previously, the first grid line was drawn at the first argument and then was repeated, say, each day. As a result, grid lines hardly helped with data analysis, since they were all displayed at some inappropriate time. With this release, you can avoid this by enabling a single option. As a result, grid lines will ignore chart values and will be displayed at the beginning of each day, hour, etc.
• New measurement units can now be used in date-time scales - milliseconds, weeks and quarters.

First and foremost, if you're using our WinForms (Windows Forms if you prefer) controls already, you may find this post useless since you already know what we offer and what you can deliver to market using our tools...

A couple of days ago, we were sitting around and reviewing our web content and its organization, the scope and breadth of our product line and the value we offer to our users. When it was all said and done, we said to ourselves...we are doing a lousy job describing what people get when they purchase our tools and an even lousier job distinguishing ourselves from our competitors. Between the old content, the tired descriptions, and the lousy structure, a prospective user cannot get a real handle of what we offer.

There were many suggestions...the most succinct of which was "let's just tell people we kick some WinForms butt" (there, I said it guys)

Hyperbole like that though is meaningless. Just telling people we are the best means nothing. Like our motto, one must download our tools, compare them to those available in the market, and then make the appropriate decision for their specific business needs. Our job is to articulate the value proposition in our tools and leave the hot air out.

The purpose of this long post is not to tell you we are the best - but to describe what it is you get when you pay for DevExpress WinForms controls. So...here it goes...

Data Editing

Since data editing is a crucial part of any software application, the XtraEditors Library can be thought of as the head of the component class here at DevExpress. The editors within this library can be used standalone (such as the DateEdit to modify date values) or as cell editors within container controls such as the XtraGrid, the XtraTreeList, the XtraVerticalGrid and soon the XtraPivotGrid.

But please - dont let the name of this package of controls fool you...it's not just about data editing. There is a lot more there than just editors.

From buttons, to tab controls...labels, to splitter controls...this is a very large library of utility visual controls.

To learn more about the controls we ship with the XtraEditors LIbrary, review the following page: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraEditors/info.xml

Grid Controls

Alright - we know how important grid controls are for Windows Forms applications. We offer 2 different packages to address your grid component needs (4 if you count the XtraPivotGrid control and the XtraTreeList, but I'll describe them in other sections of this blog post)

The XtraGrid Suite is a multi-purpose grid control. It has way too many features to describe here, but a few are:

• Grouping
• Master/Details
• Card View
• Carousel View
• Data Filtering
• etc etc etc

As I mentioned a moment ago, in-cell editing for the XtraGrid is accomplished via the components included in the XtraEditors Library. The following page describes the controls that ship with the XtraGrid Suite - http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraGrid/info.xml

Oh - before I forget to mention it, take a look at GridLookupEdit control - something you can use to blow away the limitations of standard combobox controls.

The XtraVerticalGrid is an inverted grid control and like its big brother, allows you to edit cell values with the controls shipped within the XtraEditors Library. To see what's included with this package, visit: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraVerticalGrid/info.xml

In the past, I've blogged about the ways in which you can radically reduce the number of reports  you need to create by exploiting the power of our presentation controls. I will describe the XtraPrinting Library momentarily, but if you've not read my previous blog post - you can do so here.

Toolbars, Menus, and the Ribbon

The XtraBars Suite is all about toolbars, all about menus, and all about the Ribbon control. It allows you to embed controls we include within the XtraEditors Library...It is part of the XtraReports Suite (for those wanting to use the Ribbon control for the end-user designer)...and oh, it includes a docking control (which I will describe later).

Check out its specs here: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraBars/info.xml

Data Analysis

For this product category, I'm going to only focus on the XtraPivotGrid - though one could argue XtraCharts and XtraReports should be included as well (will cover those in a minute). Not every Windows Forms application is going to require a Pivot Table control, but for $799.99 (that's the cost of DXperience WinForms Edition and includes all of our WinForms controls) you get it included and it'll be there for you whenever the need arises.

The cool thing about this control is that it supports both OLAP and standard data sources. And, with the upcoming v2008 vol 2 release, we've introduced in-cell editing (yes, using the editors within the XtraEditors LIbrary) - Azret blogged about this the other day....

Before we move forward, remember that like the XtraGrid and XtraVertical Grid, rendering the PivotGrid and knocking off dozens of manually generated reports is easy as pie when you use the XtraPrinting Library (see this blog post for more info).

Charting

No complete Windows Forms presentation control package would be complete without a charting control and ours is called the XtraCharts Suite.

A complete listing of chart types can be found here: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraCharts/info.xml

Need an easy and straightforward way to render your chart to paper? Not a problem...the XtraPrinting Library will do just this (sounds like a broken record having to repeat the great features of the XtraPrinting Library, but I do want to make the point as effectively as I can...the XtraPrinting Library is all about rendering your UI and in so doing, eliminating the tedious process of manual report generation).

Note: When you purchase DXperience WinForms Edition, you receive the ASP.NET version of the XtraCharts Suite free of charge.

Reporting

If what I've described by now is not sufficient enough to warrant  you spending $800 with us for our Windows Forms component libraries, then perhaps a reporting tool with a full end user report designer will. This blog post is already getting long, and so I don't want to spend too much time describing the XtraReports Suite but do check out the specifications page to see the standard and extended controls it supports out of the box (such as barcodes and our ribbon control).

Like the XtraCharts Suite, if you purchase DXperience WinForms Edition, you receive XtraReports for ASP.NET free of charge.

Treeviews (or Listviews or TreeLists)

I mentioned the XtraTreeList in the Grid section and fact is, this hybrid control can behave much like a traditional grid or a traditional tree or a combination of both. Editing is made possible with the XtraEditors Library and its contents can be rendered to paper with the XtraPrinting Library. The XtraTreeList can be bound to a dataset or can be used in unbound mode.

Scheduling and Calendars

Not every application is going to need a Microsoft Outlook style scheduler control, but for those that do, we ship the XtraScheduler Library. I don't really need to explain the specifics of a scheduling system to any of you and if this is a requirement in your application, the XtraScheduler specification page lists all the different controls you will have available to you once you implement this component.

Did I mention that the XtraPrinting Library allows you to print your scheduling UI instantly?

Navigation Bars

Made famous by Microsoft Outlook, the navigation bar is an integral part of many Windows applications today. The XtraNavBar offers you numerous view styles such as Office 97, 2000, XP, 2003...so you can decide what makes the most sense for your business and UI needs. We'v got a bunch of images describing the ways in which the product can be displayed to your end users here: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraNavBar/Features.xml

Docking

Though not appropriate for all Windows applications, a "dockable" UI is certainly a popular choice among many. Those desiring to build this user interface can do so by using our XtraDocking Library. We don't sell this product on a standalone basis...instead, we include it within the XtraBars Suite (and by definition, DXperience). To see how it looks, check out the following page: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraBars/Features.xml

Form Design and Layout

To preface, let me say that the XtraLayout Control is not for everyone. If you love pixel based form layout, this product is not for you. If, however, you want a more refined way in which to build forms, then make sure to check it out. I cannot tell you how many people have approached us at tradeshows singing the praises of this control. At TechEd 2008, one of our users spoke about the importance of this control in his development (see the video here)

And yes, its contents can be rendered to paper via the XtraPrinting Library.

Spell Checker

An itty bitty control library, the XtraSpellChecker does what it's name implies - offer you a spell checking solution.

Printing - Rendering to Paper

Throughout this post, I've repeatedly  mentioned the XtraPrinting Library. I won't bore you with the list of controls it's able to render...for that,  you can read our specifications page here: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WinForms/XtraPrinting/info.xml

Skinning (or Themes)

I love our skinning system (themes sounds much more elegant - but we weren't smart enough to call it that) and from those who post on our forums and comment in our blogs, our application wide skinning engine is what brings everything together. An integral part of all of our presentation controls, the XtraSkinning Library gives you numerous themes out of the box and ships with its own designer so you can create your own as necessary. I've blogged about how and why this product was created here: http://community.devexpress.com/blogs/thinking/archive/2008/04/03/the-bandwagon-effect.aspx

Note: We'll be introducing a new skin with DXperience v2008 vol 2 - the Summer Skin.

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You

With DXperience v2008 vol 2, we will introduce 2 new WinForms controls...adding to our already mind-numbingly large presentation component collection for Windows Forms.

The XtraWizard and XtraGauge Suite

Phew - I Think I've Got All Major WinForms Products Covered

Alright - that's about it...that's our WinForms product line and its definitely a mouthful (or blogful). DXperience WinForms is available for $799.99. It includes everything I've outlined above.

Before I wrap up, I do want to make certain that I've stated the obvious (at least obvious to our existing users) in this blog post. Our product packages or suites all have unique names, but this by no means definitively describes what they include. For instance, in the XtraEditors Library alone, you have access to a wide variety of products - Button, Calendar, Combobox, MaskedEdit, TabStrip, TrackBar, ProgressBar, etc. Yes, you get all the data editors you can possibly use, but you get a boat load of other components that can be used throughout your application.

Download - Compare - Decide

Hopefully this post gives you the information you need to proceed with your evaluation process. The next step is obvious - download our free trial version. Once you've got it installed, make sure to contact our support team (support@devexpress.com) with any questions or issues. For pricing and general product information, write to us at info@devexpress.com

Good Luck with the evaluation process and here's hoping you build your best - everyday.

Wanted to quickly preview some of the upcoming changes you can expect with the ASPxTreeList. If you are not familiar with this DevExpress ASP.NET 2 control, please visit: http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/WebForms/ASPxTreeList/  In short, the ASPxTreeList is a hybrid Treeview, List view, and TreeList control for ASP.NET.

Data Editing within the Tree

The ASPxTreeList Suite now fully supports data editing. To allow end-users to modify cell values, simply add a Command Column and display required command buttons (Edit, Insert, Delete).

To provide user-friendly data input, the TreeList control now ships with eight different data column types, each providing a particular cell editor - check box, spin editor, combo box, etc. These editors are controls from our ASPxEditors Library shipped with the ASPxTreeList Suite.

Edit Form Layouts

When an end-user switches to edit mode, the ASPxTreeList can use one of the following UI solutions:

• In-line Editing

In this mode, editors are simply embedded into data cells.

• Edit Form

When the ASPxTreeList is switched to edit mode, an edit form appears under or instead of the edited node. This form is represented by a table, which automatically arranges label-editor pairs. You can customize this table by specifying the number of its columns by changing column and row span values of individual label-editor pairs.

• Edit Form Template
  

It's also possible to manually construct edit forms via templates.

Node Validation and Error Indication

The ASPxEditors Library implements an advanced data validation mechanism that can now be used when editing ASPxTreeList nodes. One way to use it is to enable client-side validation so that errors are immediately shown to end-users (this of course requires additional scripts to be loaded to the client).

Another way is to validate data on the server. Two built-in error indication options are available in this mode. You can display error icons next to the editors with invalid values and/or display the error node below the edit form.

Node Drag-And-Drop

End-users can now drag and drop nodes either within an ASPxTreeList, or from the ASPxTreeList to external controls. A single option needs to be changed to enable this functionality.

Data Export

The ASPxTreeList Suite v2008 vol 2 support data export to PDF, RTF and XLS formats.
 

A few weeks ago, I posted a screenshot of the Summer Skin - Here is a more complete preview of what it will look like...Makes me want to head to the beach!

By the way, in an effort to reduce the stampede of questions - we will release the skin with DXperience v2008 vol 2.

Mark and Mehul sit down to discuss one of CodeRush's newest features - Code Issues.

Looks like Mark's still stuck on a boat somewhere so it's up to me to blog about the newest CodeRush/Refactor training videos.

Julian and Mark sit down for about 15 minutes to cover selection embedding with CodeRush.

To learn more about CodeRush and our Visual Studio Productivity Tools, visit:

http://www.devexpress.com/Products/NET/IDETools/CodeRush/