The latest from Facebook: 'Open Stream API'

The latest from Facebook: 'Open Stream API'
By Caroline McCarthy, CNET News.comTuesday, April 28, 2009 11:47 AM
A post on the Facebook developer blog announced the big application program interface (API) update from the social network, which it's calling the Open Stream API.
It's the first major implementation of an emerging (read: brand new) open standard called Activity Streams, on which Facebook has been collaborating with developers for the past few months.
Basically, what it means is that third-party developers will have access to a feed of all content posted to news feeds--notes, photos, videos, links, "likes" and comments, and activity from other applications built on the social network's platform.

http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62053619,00.htm?scid=nl_z_ntnd

SqlCommandBuilder Usage

SqlCommandBuilder Class
Automatically generates single-table commands that are used to reconcile changes made to a DataSet with the associated SQL Server database. This class cannot be inherited.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.sqlclient.sqlcommandbuilder.aspx

You can use the SqlCommandBuilder to update the change to the adapter generated DataSet to database, and then call the following line

adapter.Update(dataSet, tableName);

ASP.NET State Management Recommendations

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1hkazw7.aspx

Export Database Table to Excel File

There are several methods to export Database Table to Excel file.
1. Export to Gridview and then to excel file

Code:
string style = @"<style> .text { mso-number-format:\@; } </style>";
GridView GridView1 = new GridView();
GridView1.RowDataBound += new GridViewRowEventHandler(gvUsers_RowDataBound);
GridView1.DataSource = [YOUR DATASOURCE];
GridView1.DataBind();
Response.Clear();
Response.AddHeader("content-disposition", "attachment;filename=FileName.xls");
Response.ContentType = "application/excel";
System.IO.StringWriter stringWrite = new System.IO.StringWriter();
System.Web.UI.HtmlTextWriter htmlWrite = new HtmlTextWriter(stringWrite);
GridView1.RenderControl(htmlWrite);
Response.Write(style);
Response.Write(stringWrite.ToString());
Response.End();


protected void gvUsers_RowDataBound(object sender, GridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.DataRow)
{
e.Row.Cells[6].Attributes.Add("class", "text");
e.Row.Cells[7].Attributes.Add("class", "text");
}
}

2. DataTable to Excel File:

a. Perfect solution:
//Create the DataTable first

string physicPath = HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("./Files");
string fileName = Guid.NewGuid() + ".Xls"

String strExcelConn = string.Format("Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source={0};Extended Properties='Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes'", physicPath+fileName);
DataTableToExcel(dt, strExcelConn);
Response.Clear();
Response.WriteFile(physicPath + fileName);
string httpHeader = "attachment;filename=output.xls";
Response.ContentType = "application/vnd.ms-excel";
Response.AppendHeader("Content-Disposition", httpHeader);
Response.Flush();


public void DataTableToExcel(DataTable dt, string connString)
{
int rows = dt.Rows.Count;
int cols = dt.Columns.Count;
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
sb.Append("CREATE TABLE ");
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(dt.TableName)) dt.TableName = "Table1";
sb.Append(dt.TableName + " ( ");
for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++)
{
if (i < cols - 1)
sb.Append(string.Format("[{0}] varchar,", dt.Columns[i].ColumnName));
else
sb.Append(string.Format("[{0}] varchar)", dt.Columns[i].ColumnName));
}
using (OleDbConnection objConn = new OleDbConnection(connString))
{
OleDbCommand objCmd = new OleDbCommand();
objCmd.Connection = objConn;
objCmd.CommandText = sb.ToString();
objConn.Open();
objCmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
sb.Remove(0, sb.Length);
sb.Append("INSERT INTO ");
sb.Append(dt.TableName + " ( ");
for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++)
{
if (i < cols - 1)
sb.Append("[" + dt.Columns[i].ColumnName + "],");
else
sb.Append("[" + dt.Columns[i].ColumnName + "]) values (");
}
for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++)
{
if (i < cols - 1)
sb.Append("@" + dt.Columns[i].ColumnName + ",");
else
sb.Append("@" + dt.Columns[i].ColumnName + ")");
}
objCmd.CommandText = sb.ToString();
OleDbParameterCollection param = objCmd.Parameters;
for (int i = 0; i < cols; i++)
{
param.Add(new OleDbParameter("@" + dt.Columns[i].ColumnName, OleDbType.VarChar));
}
foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
for (int i = 0; i < param.Count; i++)
{
param[i].Value = row[i];
}
objCmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
}
}
}



b. Non-perfect solution(File created does not comprise with the excel standard):
Response.Clear();
Response.ContentType = "application/vnd.ms-excel";
string sep = "";
foreach (DataColumn dc in dt.Columns)
{
Response.Write(sep + dc.ColumnName);
sep = "\t";
}
Response.Write("\n");
int i;
foreach (DataRow dr in dt.Rows)
{
sep = "";
for (i = 0; i < dt.Columns.Count; i++)
{
Response.Write(sep + dr[i].ToString());
sep = "\t";
}
Response.Write("\n");
}

Templated ASP.NET User Controls

How to: Create Templated ASP.NET User Controls

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/36574bf6(VS.80).aspx

ITemplate Interface

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.itemplate.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.itemplate.instantiatein.aspx

Microsoft Web Platform

More than just a powerful set of tools, servers and technologies, the Microsoft Web Platform offers a complete ecosystem for building and hosting web sites, services, and applications. Whether you’re looking to build your company’s web presence or launch the next MySpace, we’ve got the products you need to be successful.

http://www.microsoft.com/web/default.aspx

Create your own custom DataSource

Read on:

http://weblogs.asp.net/leftslipper/archive/2007/04.aspx

URL Rewriting in ASP.NET

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms972974.aspx

Google Map Tutorial

http://econym.googlepages.com/index.htm

Use JSON.net to manipulate object

To serialize and deserialize JSON object.

I use the following library:

JSON.net 3.0:

http://james.newtonking.com/archive/2008/08/25/json-net-3-0-released.aspx

P.S.

In ASP.net 3.5, we can also use the following class:

system.web.script.serialization.javascriptserializer

PS2:

A new class called DataContractJsonSerializer can be used.

Ten ways to make your boss love you - and save your job

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-284491.html