Some circular, repeated event handling here? But what and how? - c#

How can I avoid this warning message in VS2017 (or: what may be happening):
'ObsCol<T>.ObsCol()' contains a call chain that results in a call to a virtual method
defined by the class.
Review the following call stack for unintended consequences:
ObsCol<T>..ctor()
ObservableCollection<T>.add_CollectionChanged(NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler): Void
this is the code:
[Serializable]
public class ObsCol<T> : ObservableCollection<T>
{
public ObsCol()
{
this.CollectionChanged += new NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler(ObsCol_CollectionChanged);
}
private void ObsCol_CollectionChanged(object sender, NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Action == NotifyCollectionChangedAction.Add)
MainViewModel.IsDirty = e.NewItems != null || e.OldItems != null;
}
}
The purpose of this all is to know in the ViewModel whether or not the calculation output corresponds to the input data.
Upon entering the constructor, CollectionChanged is empty, so my handler is the only thing in the list.
Changing CollectionChanged does not change the collection, does it?
Things seem to work alright, though...

The Problem: some subclass could override the event, leading to unexpected construction behavior
public class Boom<T> : ObsCol<T>
{
public override event NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler CollectionChanged
{
add { throw new NotImplementedException(); }
remove { }
}
}
Solutions:
Use OnCollectionChanged override
public class Solution1<T> : ObservableCollection<T>
{
protected override void OnCollectionChanged(NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Action == NotifyCollectionChangedAction.Add)
DoSomething();
base.OnCollectionChanged(e);
}
...
}
Seal the class
public sealed class Solution2<T> : ObservableCollection<T>
{
public Solution2()
{
this.CollectionChanged += new NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler(ObsCol_CollectionChanged);
}
...
}
Seal the event
public class Solution3<T> : ObservableCollection<T>
{
public sealed override event NotifyCollectionChangedEventHandler CollectionChanged
{
add { base.CollectionChanged += value; }
remove { base.CollectionChanged -= value; }
}
...
}
What you do depends on your use case... the first solution is most flexible, since you can still create subclasses with all kinds of override.
With the SerializableAttribute in your question, it might be worth to seal the whole class since you probably don't want to serialize sub-types anyway (Solution 2).
If you are ever in a situation, where the OnEvent/RaiseEvent method is not available for whatever reason, Solution 3 allows to seal only the minimal subset of functionality that is used in the constructor.

Related

c# How to call and handle a custom generic event arg?

hoping someone could lend a hand here. I have a custom even argument that contains a collection. I can build the event arg but I cannot implement it. I want to put the event handler in the base class and override it in my derived classes.
The even arg:
public class ImportEventArgs<T> : EventArgs
{
public IEnumerable<T> Data { get; }
public ImportEventArgs(IEnumerable<T> data)
{
Data = data;
}
}
The part in my base class that is not resolving:
public virtual void EventHandler<EventArgs> ImportComplete;
The override:
override void EventHandler<WellPathImportEventArgs<WellPath>> ImportComplete;
I figured this is not the correct way of doing this, could anyone point me in the right direction?
You cannot change a method's signature when you override it.
However, since all event args derive from the same type, you don't have to. Just keep the existing method definition and cast the argument, like this:
public override void ImportComplete(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
var myEventArgs = e as ImportEventArgs<WellPath>;
if (myEventArgs != null)
{
foreach (var item in myEventArgs.Data)
{
//Your code here
}
}
}

Cascading IPropertyChanged

I have a data structure organised as such:
A List<Graphic> containing a List<Symbol> which contains a List<Alias> amongst other things.
I want to be able to run a function within the Graphic class whenever anything changes within an alias/symbol/graphic. The best way that I can see to do this would be to implement IPropertyChanged on each of the three classes. However, is it possible to cascade these whilst getting a reference to the Graphic as to what exactly changed?
Note: The changes will generally be to the properties within an Alias but it is just as plausible that a Symbol could be removed/added or renamed.
You can leverage class ObservableCollection<T> that implements INotifyCollectionChanged and INotifyPropertyChanged
Basically, you need to create a derived class and override some methods
public class Data
{
public ObservableCollection<String> InnerCollection { get; set; }
}
public class collection : ObservableCollection<Data>
{
protected override void InsertItem(int index, Data item)
{
item.InnerCollection.CollectionChanged += InnerCollection_CollectionChanged;
base.InsertItem(index, item);
}
private void InnerCollection_CollectionChanged(object sender, System.Collections.Specialized.NotifyCollectionChangedEventArgs e)
{
//Actually it does not make any sense. You may need to construct something special. But firing an event it would be enough
OnCollectionChanged(e);
}
protected override void RemoveItem(int index)
{
var date = base.Items[index];
date.InnerCollection.CollectionChanged -= InnerCollection_CollectionChanged;
base.RemoveItem(index);
}
}
Using something like this, you can nest your events as deep as you want.

Watch an object graph for changes

Is there a way to watch an object graph for changes on any object, and do something based on that change?
Lets say I have the following:
public class Main:INotifyPropertyChanged
{
public ObservableCollection<Foo> FooItems { get; }
public ObservableCollection<Bar> BarItems { get; }
}
public class Foo:INotifyPropertyChanged
public class Bar:INotifyPropertyChanged
{
public ObservableCollection<Other> OtherItems { get; }
}
public class Other:INotifyPropertyChanged
What would be the best way to implement some sort of change notification system across all objects? For example an autosave, where any change would trigger the system to serialize the Main class.
Should I have glue code in the Main class watching the BarItems for changes, hooking up to their PropertyChanged? This seems a bit messy, and error prone to me. Is there a better way?
Rather than objects raising their own property changed events, perhaps they could raise a shared event instead. For example:
public class SharedChangeNotifier
{
public static event EventHandler<DataChangedEventArgs> SharedChangeEvent;
protected void RaiseChangeEvent()
{
if (SharedChangeNotifier.SharedChangeEvent != null)
{
SharedChangeNotifier.SharedChangeEvent(
this, new DataChangedEventArgs());
}
}
}
public class Foo : SharedChangeNotifier
{
public int MyProperty
{
get { ... }
set
{
...
RaiseChangeEvent();
}
}
}
You could then attach an event handler to the static SharedChangeNotifier's SharedChangeEvent to be notified whenever any object deriving from SharedChangeNotifier is changed, like this:
SharedChangeNotifier.SharedChangeEvent += (sender, args) => {
DoWhatever();
};
I just read an interesting blog post on that issue at http://www.lennybacon.com/ReBlinderFleckChangeTracking.aspx
The post is in German, but as it's mostly code, it should be OK.
Hope this helps!
The way I have done it in the past was to create a separate ChangeTracker class with a method to Register objects into it. Inside that method, use reflection to explore the registered object, and hook into events on each of its properties that implements INotifyPropertyChanged.
You can then add methods to the ChangeTracker to interrogate the state, e.g. IsDirty(), or even implement INotifyPropertyChanged on the ChangeTracker.
(Be sure to implement and use IDisposable on the ChangeTracker, and drop all the event handlers at that time).
You could have the same handler for all items that implement INotifyPropertyChanged events:
foreach (INotifyPropertyChanged obj in FooItems)
obj.PropertyChanged+= this.modified;
// likewise for bar items, and when items are added
private void modified(object sender, EventArgs args)
{
this.Save();
}
edit> To do the same when an item is added:
private void addToList<T>(ref List<T> l, T item) where T : INotifyPropertyChanged
{
item.PropertyChanged += this.modified;
l.Add(item);
}
call it using:
Foo item = new Foo();
List<Foo> fooItems = new List<Foo>();
addToList<Foo>(ref fooItems, item);

A method that executes any time a class property is accessed (get or set)?

C# - .net 3.5
I have a family of classes that inherit from the same base class.
I want a method in the base class to be invoked any time a property in a derrived class is accessed (get or set). However, I don't want to write code in each and every property to call the base class... instead, I am hoping there is a declarative way to "sink" this activity into the base class.
Adding some spice to the requirement, I do need to determine the name of the property that was accessed, the property value and its type.
I imagine the solution would be a clever combination of a delegate, generics, and reflection. I can envision creating some type of array of delegate assignments at runtime, but iterating over the MemberInfo in the constructor would impact performance more than I'd like. Again, I'm hoping there is a more direct "declarative" way to do this.
Any ideas are most appreciated!
You can't do it automatically, but you can pretty much get 95% for free. This is a classic case for aspect-oriented programming. Check out PostSharp, which has the OnFieldAccessAspect class. Here's how you might solve your problem:
[Serializable]
public class FieldLogger : OnFieldAccessAspect {
public override void OnGetValue(FieldAccessEventArgs eventArgs) {
Console.WriteLine(eventArgs.InstanceTag);
Console.WriteLine("got value!");
base.OnGetValue(eventArgs);
}
public override void OnSetValue(FieldAccessEventArgs eventArgs) {
int i = (int?)eventArgs.InstanceTag ?? 0;
eventArgs.InstanceTag = i + 1;
Console.WriteLine("value set!");
base.OnSetValue(eventArgs);
}
public override InstanceTagRequest GetInstanceTagRequest() {
return new InstanceTagRequest("logger", new Guid("4f8a4963-82bf-4d32-8775-42cc3cd119bd"), false);
}
}
Now, anything that inherits from FieldLogger will get the same behavior. Presto!
I don't believe this is possible to do declaratively, i have never seen it done that way. What you can do though is implement the INotifyPropertyChanged interface on your base class, and have the implementation of the interface in the base class. Something like this:
public class A : INotifyPropertyChanged
{
#region INotifyPropertyChanged Members
public event PropertyChangedEventHandler PropertyChanged;
#endregion
protected virtual void RaiseOnPropertyChanged(object sender, string propertyName)
{
if (this.PropertyChanged != null)
PropertyChanged(sender, new PropertyChangedEventArgs(propertyName);
}
public A()
{
this.PropertyChanged += new PropertyChangedEventHandler(A_PropertyChanged);
}
void A_PropertyChanged(object sender, PropertyChangedEventArgs e)
{
//centralised code here that deals with the changed property
}
}
public class B : A
{
public string MyProperty
{
get { return _myProperty; }
set
{
_myProperty = value;
RaiseOnPropertyChanged(this, "MyProperty");
}
}
public string _myProperty = null;
}

Why events can't be used in the same way in derived classes as in the base class in C#?

In following code, I want to extend the behaviour of a class by deriving/subclassing it, and make use of an event of the base class:
public class A
{
public event EventHandler SomeEvent;
public void someMethod()
{
if(SomeEvent != null) SomeEvent(this, someArgs);
}
}
public class B : A
{
public void someOtherMethod()
{
if(SomeEvent != null) SomeEvent(this, someArgs); // << why is this not possible?
//Error: The event 'SomeEvent' can only appear on the left hand side of += or -=
//(except when used from within the type 'A')
}
}
Why isn't it possible?
And what is the common solution for this kind of situation?
Others have explained how to get round the issue, but not why it's coming up.
When you declare a public field-like event, the compiler creates a public event, and a private field. Within the same class (or nested classes) you can get at the field directly, e.g. to invoke all the handlers. From other classes, you only see the event, which only allows subscription and unsubscription.
The standard practice here is to have a protected virtual method OnSomeEvent on your base class, then call that method in derived classes. Also, for threading reasons you will want to keep a reference to the handler before checking null and calling it.
For an explanation of the why read Jon Skeet's answer or the C# specification which describes how the compiler automatically creates a private field.
Here is one possible work around.
public class A
{
public event EventHandler SomeEvent;
public void someMethod()
{
OnSomeEvent();
}
protected void OnSomeEvent()
{
EventHandler handler = SomeEvent;
if(handler != null)
handler(this, someArgs);
}
}
public class B : A
{
public void someOtherMethod()
{
OnSomeEvent();
}
}
Edit: Updated code based upon Framework Design Guidelines section 5.4 and reminders by others.
Todd's answer is correct. Often you will see this implemented throughout the .NET framework as OnXXX(EventArgs) methods:
public class Foo
{
public event EventHandler Click;
protected virtual void OnClick(EventArgs e)
{
var click = Click;
if (click != null)
click(this, e);
}
}
I strongly encourage you to consider the EventArgs<T>/EventHandler<T> pattern before you find yourself making all manner of CustomEventArgs/CustomEventHandler for raising events.
The reason the original code doesn't work is because you need to have access to the event's delegate in order to raise it, and C# keeps this delegate private.
Events in C# are represented publicly by a pair of methods, add_SomeEvent and remove_SomeEvent, which is why you can subscribe to an event from outside the class, but not raise it.
My answer would be that you shouldn't have to do this.
C# nicely enforces Only the type declaring/publishing the event should fire/raise it.
If the base class trusted derivations to have the capability to raise its events, the creator would expose protected methods to do that. If they don't exist, its a good hint that you probably shouldn't do this.
My contrived example as to how different the world would be if derived types were allowed to raise events in their ancestors. Note: this is not valid C# code.. (yet..)
public class GoodVigilante
{
public event EventHandler LaunchMissiles;
public void Evaluate()
{
Action a = DetermineCourseOfAction(); // method that evaluates every possible
// non-violent solution before resorting to 'Unleashing the fury'
if (null != a)
{ a.Do(); }
else
{ if (null != LaunchMissiles) LaunchMissiles(this, EventArgs.Empty); }
}
virtual protected string WhatsTheTime()
{ return DateTime.Now.ToString(); }
....
}
public class TriggerHappy : GoodVigilante
{
protected override string WhatsTheTime()
{
if (null != LaunchMissiles) LaunchMissiles(this, EventArgs.Empty);
}
}
// client code
GoodVigilante a = new GoodVigilante();
a.LaunchMissiles += new EventHandler(FireAway);
GoodVigilante b = new TriggerHappy(); // rogue/imposter
b.LaunchMissiles += new EventHandler(FireAway);
private void FireAway(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
// nuke 'em
}
Wrap it with a protected virtual On... method:
public class BaseClass
{
public event EventHandler<MyArgs> SomeEvent;
protected virtual void OnSomeEvent()
{
if(SomeEvent!= null)
SomeEvent(this, new MyArgs(...) );
}
}
Then override this in a derived class
public class DerivedClass : BaseClass
{
protected override void OnSomeEvent()
{
//do something
base.OnSomeEvent();
}
}
You'll set this pattern all over .Net - all form and web controls follow it.
Do not use the prefix Raise... - this is not consistent with MS's standards and can cause confusion elsewhere.

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