Asp.net Sharepoint

Mastering Conditional Display in ASPX Pages on SharePoint

In the realm of SharePoint development, particularly with MOSS 2007, one common challenge developers face is implementing conditional display on ASPX pages. The limitation arises primarily from SharePoint’s default settings that prevent server-side scripts. In this post, we will explore viable solutions to this issue while ensuring we stick to best practices.

Understanding the Problem

SharePoint presents unique challenges when using ASPX pages due to its restrictions on inline server-side scripts and the inability to handle event handlers effectively. Developers often find themselves needing dynamic content that reacts based on user input or other conditions, but the conventional methods of achieving this are often hampered by the platform’s limitations.

The Dilemma

You have two potential solutions:

  1. Modify the web.config file to allow server-side scripts.
  2. Manage all controls and events via the .CS file, which can erase some of ASP.NET’s conveniences.

While both approaches have their merits, they also come with caveats that deter many developers from moving forward.

Solution: Wrapping it Up in a Feature

After evaluating both options, the recommended best practice is to wrap your conditional display logic in a feature and deploy it via a solution. Here’s why this approach stands out:

Advantages of the Feature-Based Approach

  • Maintainability: By abstracting your changes into a feature, future updates become easier and less prone to errors. You can manage your code in a structured way and avoid cluttering your galleries with unnecessary controls.
  • Reusability: You can deploy this feature across multiple SharePoint sites, which is especially useful if you anticipate a need for similar conditional displays in various environments down the line.

Implementing the Solution

  1. Create a SharePoint Feature: Define your feature using a feature.xml file, outlining the necessary settings for deployment.
  2. Add Web Parts: Embed web parts directly into your page, much like a WebControl. This allows you to implement the desired conditional display without having to make changes to the global web.config.
  3. Deploy Your Solution: Once your feature is ready, deploy it across your SharePoint environment. This will not only solve your immediate need but also provide a framework for future functionality.

Alternative Approach: Using Web Parts

If the feature-based approach isn’t suitable for your current scenario, embedding web parts directly into your ASPX page offers another viable workaround. Here’s how to execute this method:

  • Create custom web parts that are responsible for their own rendering logic. This encapsulates the conditional display logic within the web part itself.
  • This avoids the usual problems of cluttering galleries with many controls, and you can utilize SharePoint’s native development features without the need to meddle with the web.config.

Conclusion

When faced with conditional display issues in ASPX pages on SharePoint, it’s essential to weigh your options carefully. While changing the web.config seems tempting, it’s often better practice to encapsulate your logic within a feature and properly deploy it as needed. This not only maintains the integrity of your SharePoint environment but also promotes a cleaner and more manageable codebase.

If you encounter challenges while working with SharePoint, don’t hesitate to reach out for support or share your experiences—collaboration can often lead to innovative solutions!