Base Page vs MasterPage.vb

jeff9315 · June 20th, 2009, 12:39 PM

As I was reading Chapter 6 regarding creating a Base Page, I was curious as to why we can't check for a missing Page Title within the Code Behind of the Master Page ... instead of in a separate page within the App Code folder.And if that could work, could everything that would be done within a Base Page be done in th Master Page's Code Behind.

If that would work, how would it be done?

Thanks ... Jeff

Imar · June 20th, 2009, 12:58 PM

Hi Jeff,

You could, but I wouldn't do it.

A Master Page is about reuse of design, while a BasePage is about reuse of logic. It's common to have more than 1 MasterPage in a project for various style related reasons, while you typically only have one BasePage you inherit from. This would mean you need to duplicate your code in multiple master pages instead of in a single base page.

Also, it doesn't feel right. Your Web Pages inherit from Page (or from the BasePage in between) that provides the Title so it makes sense to make the class itself responsible for checking its title and other actions you may add to the master page.

So, yes, you could, but I wouldn't do it.

For a similar discussion: Base Page and Master Pages

Cheers,

Imar

jeff9315 · June 20th, 2009, 06:36 PM

Thanks Imar ... Knowing that I could but that I shouldn't is exactly what I wanted to know. Being a novice, it's gratifying to know that I figured out something that was possible. However, being a novice also means that I don't know what the Best Practices are yet. So, your answer was perfect.

Also, your book is AWESOME!!!!!

Imar · June 21st, 2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Also, your book is AWESOME!!!!!

Thank you! Spread the word, spread the word..... ;-)

In case you still want to do it (even though you shouldn't) here's how to check the title in the Master Page:

csharp Code:

protected void Page_PreRender(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
  if (this.Page.Title == "Untitled Page" || string.IsNullOrEmpty(this.Page.Title))
  {
    throw new Exception("Page title cannot be \"Untitled Page\" or an empty string.");
  }
}

vbnet Code:

Protected Sub Page_PreRender(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
              Handles Me.PreRender
  If Me.Page.Title = "Untitled Page" Or String.IsNullOrEmpty(Me.Page.Title) Then
    Throw New Exception("Page title cannot be ""Untitled Page"" or an empty string.")
  End If
End Sub

Cheers,

Imar