New features in WebCombo.NET 4.0

• No-codes data binding through DataSourceControl support
  Intersoft introduces new databinding concept with no codes required in the page’s code behind. With this new databinding concept, programming databind web application is very easy, simple and straightforward. In previous version, you will need to configure InitializeDataSource event and write codes inside the event which pass the datasource to e.DataSource. That is no longer needed in WebCombo.NET version 4.0, although the old databinding mechanism is still supported for backward compatibility.
  
   
• Improved Data Caching
  The data caching feature in version 4.0 has been significantly improved to avoid memory leaks and lower usage of allocated resources when the DataCacheStorage is set to PageCache (default).
  
  
   
• FileServer DataCacheStorage
  WebCombo now exposed a new option in the DataCacheStorage called “FileServer” in additional to the existing options. When you choose this option, the data cache will be stored to the path defined in CacheServerConnection property. This new option allows better scalability and reliability to your web application, as the data caches are no longer stored in ASP.NET’s worker process or Session.
  
   
• Quick configuration by using SmartTag Designer
  WebCombo.NET version 4.0 introduces SmartTag Designer that extends Visual Studio 2005’s designer architecture. The SmartTag Designer is useful to help developers easily getting started with the new WebCombo.NET instance. The SmartTag Designer consists of basic settings such as Data Source settings, styles settings and common behavior settings to help you setup your WebCombo fast.
  
   
• Guided design-time configuration
  The new designer concept employs guided configuration experience in assisted mode. For instance, most property elements now have Tooltip that describes the function. The features of the component are also converted to use question-based model and included more verbose text.The classic designer that shows all properties in a property grid is still supported in this new designer. In version 4.0, the property grid is now contained in Advanced Settings area.
  
   
• New WebCombo look and feel
  WebCombo.NET 4.0 now comes with sleeker user interface with neutral colors and minimalist look and feel. The fresh look and feel adopts some of the new design guidelines from the upcoming Windows Vista operating system. This ensures WebCombo.NET controls to have familiar and consistent user interface throughout your application.
  
  
   
• Fluid round corner through TrueShape™
  One of the most significant user interface improvement in version 4.0 is its ability to render round corner around the edges. The round corner rendering is fluid and flexible, means that it can be drawn properly regardless of the size. The round corner rendering in WebCombo.NET 4.0 adopts Intersoft’s proprietary TrueShape™ rendering framework which is widely used in WebDesktop.NET components.
  
  
   
• Vista-style image animation
  WebCombo.NET 4.0 supports background image animation to help you replicate rich UI controls in Windows Vista®. In this version, the background image animation is supported in dropdown element only. However, note that the image animation requires certain design in order to create smooth effect. Not all design will look good when the animation is enabled. For instance, the default style that comes in version 4.0 is specially designed to display smoothly while animation is enabled.
  
  
• Cleaner and reduced page output through built-in Default Style
  WebCombo version 4.0 introduces default style concept to deliver optimal performance right out-of-the-box.The default style feature offers a clean control definition during development, best performance in server throughput, also reduced page output size up to 70 percent since styles are no longer produced regardless of the number of instances in a page.
  
  
   
• Advanced Load-on-Demand data retrieval through ISDataSourceControl support
  ISDataSource control is Intersoft’s proprietary data source control that extends ObjectDataSource functionalities with hierarchical business object binding and automatic load on demand integration.In previous versions, data retrieval is handled at component level. The load-on-demand mechanism is also handled at component level, for instance, at WebCombo level. This is required because both user interface and data handling are mixed.The load-on-demand data retrieval in WebCombo.NET version 4.0 can also be used when bound to datasource control. However, the currently supported datasource control for this operation is ISDataSource control only.
  
  
   
• Improved User Interactions
  In addition to new user interface and new productivity features introduced in version 4.0, this new version also improves in the user interaction area. The user interaction includes the main behavior of the WebCombo control, such as how it handles focus and lost focus, the typing and asynchronous loading experience, the dropdown button click behaviors when single clicked and double clicked and many more. The improvement in user interaction ensures your end users to have best experience while interacting with the WebCombo control as main input and data selection control.
  
   
• XHTML 1.1 Transitional Support
  WebCombo.NET 4.0 now fully supports XHTML 1.1 Transitional. This is made possible with revamped core rendering and designs.Along with XHTML 1.1 compliant output and Transitional support, all user interface features and data functions are supported and have been tested to work properly. The XHTML 1.1 Transitional support in version 4.0 allows web developers to use WebCombo.NET in their web page that target W3C standards compliance.
  See live demo for this feature.
  
   
• Hassle-free deployment through SmartWebResources™ technology
  WebCombo.NET version 4.0 fully supports SmartWebResources infrastructure. This enables WebCombo.NET to function right out-of-the-box after the simply XCOPY deployment. Both developers and site administrators can now deploy Intersoft’s components by simply copying the assemblies in the Bin folder of the project – and totally eliminates the need to copy javascript files, component-specific images and runtime files.