Danish Hussain

Crystal Report For Visual Studio Upgrade Issues related to asp.net

2011-03-20T22:27:00.001+05:00

You may expect issue similar to error mentioned below while upgrading your crystal report project.

CS0433: The type 'CrystalDecisions.Web.CrystalReportViewer' exists in both 'c:\Windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL\CrystalDecisions.Web\__692fbea5521e1304\CrystalDecisions.Web.dll' and 'c:\Windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL\CrystalDecisions.Web\__692fbea5521e1304\CrystalDecisions.Web.dll'

Above issues can be easily fix by updating web.config file. As above issues may come if assemblies section of web.config still contains entries with old crystal report version

Telerik AJAX unexpected java script error

2011-03-16T22:08:00.002+05:00

While ajaxifying our asp.net page we face strange error. i.e. Page call work first time and second time ajax call fail with following javascript error.

Microsoft JScript runtime error: Sys.InvalidOperationException: Could not find UpdatePanel with ID ''. If it is being updated dynamically then it must be inside another UpdatePanel.

This was very strange as we used similar approach in another application that was using old version of telerik controls. We decided to google it and check this in telerik knowledge base. All documentation was pointing toward single code error i.e. We are setting .Visible property of ajax update control to false in first call which cause this error in second ajax call. This was not the case with us. After investing a lot of time in this issues we found out the solution which is was fairly simple and logical :)

The issue was that ajax control (control triggering ajax call ) was not added as ajax updat control. Adding ajax control in Ajax control list simply solve the issue.

Real surprising situation was when we check our project (using older version of telerik) and found that AJAX was working fine even if you dont add ajax control in ajac update control list :D.

Telerik - Changes in Rad AJAX Manager

2011-03-14T22:03:00.001+05:00

In old version of telerik controls for asp.net there was no restriction to use multiple RadAjaxManager with in a page. i.e. Controls inside the page may have separate RadAjaxManager and functionality will work.

New version of telerik controls doesnot allow this. Best option is to place a blank radajaxmanager in master pager and use radajaxmanagerproxy elsewhere.

Things to consider while upgrading telerik controls

2011-03-09T21:54:00.001+05:00

While working on telerik control upgrade projects for asp.net weI found different website, issue that consume a lot of time infact more than what I was expecting for this activity.

1. Check the version you are using as old telerik controls were available with multiple dlls i.e. separate dll for each control.

2. Check namespace of your controls. As old were using telerik.wecontrol while new one use telerik.web.ui

The main issue that we face during migration was that we were using different version of DLLs previously and thought that if we use new version it will work. We we started using new dll we realize that AJAX was not working and shifting of all code to new code will be required. I have found different issues which I will describe separately in different blogs.

IIS 7 Deployment with asp.net 4 and AJAX

2011-02-28T20:28:00.002+05:00

In one of our IIS migration project we noticed a very strange issue i.e. Our website was giving java script errors with AJAX calls.

It was surprising, As we need to remove lots of aspnet extension entries from web.config in order to upgrade to .net 4.0. So first thing comes in my mind was that it was due to .net 4.0 upgrade. Telerik controls were used so another thought was that it is due to Telerik Controls.

We look at lots of configuration option related to AJAX and Telerik and even install ajax extension and telerik on production but we get to real solution after wasting couple of hours.

The problem resolved when we set the application pool property to classic from integrated (Was Set By Default).

IIS Configuration Error Error: Cannot write configuration file due to insufficient permissions

2011-02-22T20:28:00.001+05:00

While deploying my custom asp.net application I found it hard to browse through few asp.net pages. I tried to enable directory browsing feature to locate pages. Selecting enabled after clicking on directory browsing gaves me following error

Error: Cannot write configuration file due to insufficient permissions

Looking at above issue I thought that may be I need to start my IIS as an administrator so I closed my IIS and start IIS console again as an administrator but above error remain as is.

I decided to go for some research over the internet and found an unbelievable solution. i.e. My web.conf file was readonly :D.

Microsoft Office 365 - Sharepoint, Office with cloud computing

2010-12-02T15:45:00.000+05:00

Microsoft Office 365 is about using power of Microsoft Office with power of cloud computing.
Office, Exchange, Sharepoint and Lync.... All Online
For details see following link
http://office365.microsoft.com/en-US/online-services.aspx

Marking multiple attibute for a class

2010-04-12T22:59:00.002+05:00

You may mark multiple attributes with the class by separating attibutes with comma with in square bracket. This will allow you to associate or mark your class with multiple attribute. Following show syntax for serailizable class which is obsoleted.

[Serializable, Obsolete("This class is not in use any more")]
class ObsoleteSerializableClass
{
...
...
}

Crystal Report- Sub reports over lapped when you use multiple sub reports or sub reports with other controls

2010-03-25T19:15:00.000+05:00

While working with crystal reports you will noticed that when you use sub report with another sub report or if you use a control under sub report it gets overlapped. It is because the Sub report that comes first expands its size and come over other control or subreports.
The solution for handling this i.e. Sub report automatically expands and shifts other control according to its size is through multiple sections in sub reports.
For multiple sections in sub reports
goto section expert
select details section
click on insert section button
Now you can move other sub reports to next section and you may noticed that your problem related to overlapping of control gets resolved automatically

Page Header in Crystal Report Sub Report

2010-03-23T19:11:00.000+05:00

When you work with crystal report sub report you will noticed that Page Header of you sub report will be displayed as report header from you main report.

This is because page header is not supported with crystal report sub report. There are many work around to achieve this using sections but for better design it is suggested that you keep your page header information in main report while section details in sub reports

Sharepoint 2007 - Scroll bars using page viewer webpart

2010-03-15T18:02:00.001+05:00

You may sometime noticed that page viewer webpart displays scroll bars when you try to display pages that has large view area. This is because page viewer webparts works with fixed width and hieght and when content page increase webpart displays scroll bar.

The solution for this is to use custom webparts if the page is internal page.

Farmville - Some tips and tricks

2010-03-06T17:10:00.002+05:00

Hummm after stucked a load of time I would suggest some entertainment for techy ppls as well.

Here is a small tip for those new to FarmVille on facebook.

Enclose your farmer with haybales and noticed that your actions will be completed quickly as plow, harvest and other activities will no more require farmer to be on spot.

try and see results -- Save some time for development ;) - appy coding

Sharepoint 2007 - Survey removing save button

2010-03-05T17:25:00.008+05:00

You will notice save botton in sharepoint surveys when using sharepoint surveys with branching options. It confuse most of surveys users as generally user select save instead of next or finish which result in in complete surveys.
We have checked a lot in sharepoint options and failed to find any option thay may allow admisitrator or pulisher to disable this buton and find that there is one work around using sharepoint designer for removing it.

1. Open site in sharepoint designer
2. Go to you subsite and expand pages under survey (created earlier with branching option)
3. Open newform.aspx and find following
<asp:content contentplaceholderid="PlaceHolderMain" runat="server">
4. Add following javascript before closing tag of the content place holder searched in last step

<script> var x=document.getElementsByTagName("input"); for (var
i=0;i<x.length;i++) { if (x.item(i).type=="button"&&x.item(i).value=="Save")
{x.item(i).style.display = "none"};} </script>

5. Above script will search for save button and toggle its visibility. If you need to remove save button while editing existing responses you will have to repeat above steps for editform.aspx.

Sharepoint 2007 - Multilingual Sites issues in updating publishing pages

2010-02-02T16:24:00.000+05:00

When you work with multi lingual sites implemented using Share point variation features you may find that whenever you try to update page in your source site it will automatically published to all variation labels and will overwrite your translated content in other sites.

e.g. You have bilingual site with English and Spanish. Where we consider english as a src site. When you create a new page in English and Publish this page a new page in draft status with English content will be created in Spanish Site. Translator will translate content and publish page created in Spanish Site.
Suppose you find a spelling mistake and update content in English site. Now when you go to spanish site using system administrator you will noticed that the page will be in draft status with Latest English content i.e. Translator will now have to translate the whole page instead of fixing the small issue.In order to resolve this issues you need to do following changes in your varaition settings.

Open site using system Admin
Click on "goto to site settings"Site Collection Administration" click on "Variations"
In "Update Target Page Webpart" Section select "Do not update webpart....."

After doing above changes you will noticed that new pages will be created by variation but changes needs to be done separately on both site.

Sharepoint 2007 Showing outlook Inbox using outlook active X control

2010-01-31T14:10:00.000+05:00

Outlook provides active X interface for displaying out look inbox and simple object tag can be used to show emails from your outlook inbox. It will display your default inbox therefore can even show images that are stored at your pst file.

You may also use this Active X control in Share point 2007 using content editor web part to display users emails but following disadvantages should be kept in mind.

Security concerns as it is Active X control
Different browser specific and deployment specific issues
Look n feel will be different and cannot be branded
Will not use Share point security but will show inbox based on outlook configuration

e.g. of HTML is as follows.

Sharepoint Configuration for Outlook Web Access on any site

2010-01-27T13:59:00.001+05:00

Outlook web access provides view on your exchange folder from any Share point site using Page Viewer Web part with query string parameters configured to display view as per your organization requirement.

As OWA designed for intranet therefore it is obviously recommended for intranet portal only. For extranet you may have to go through it with an extra security step as per your OWA configuration.

Following technet article provide details of different query string parameter for configuration of your OWA view.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb232199(EXCHG.80).aspx

In general following query suffix for Page Viewer WebPart will suffix

https://{server name}/owa/?cmd=contents&f=inbox

Sharepoint 2007 Working with Outlook Web Access Webpart

2010-01-25T13:15:00.000+05:00

Share point 2007 provides following web parts for accessing exchange content using share point

My Calendar (use with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or later)
My Contacts (use with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or later
My Tasks (use with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or later)
My Inbox (use with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or later)
My Mail Folder (use with Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 or later)

Above web parts are provided in order to be utilized Share point My Sites. If you want to use Outlook Web Access in other website you may need to use outlook web access queries from page viewer web part.

MOSS Administration removing bad webparts from page that doesn't open in design mode

2010-01-13T00:23:00.000+05:00

Will working with sharepoint you may find yourself in a situation where your webpart blows up and you will not be able to access your page. You cannot fix page as design options are available for editable pages in design mode.

There is an option to remove webparts from these page to make them working. Providing query parameter Contents=1 will redirect you to WebPart administration page for selected page. This page will provide you options for removing webparts.

e.g. your page link was as follows
http://moss:2000/Pages/ErrorWebparts.aspx

Opening following url
http://moss:2000/Pages/ErrorWebparts.aspx?Contents=1

will allow you to fix your page.

Displaying thumbnail using DataViewerWebPart

2009-11-30T19:59:00.000+05:00

Displaying thumbnail using dataview webpart may tweaking In order to display thumbnails from a picture library.

You may receive XML errors if you try to do following steps
1. Drop listview webpart for picture library showing thumbnail and name of image
2. Right click and convert it to DataViewWebpart

So you may probably need to do following to resolve it.
1. Drop list view webpart and change its view to show name and url of image.
2. edit your file and replace XSL for displaying URL with following code to display thumbnail.
There is a limitation in a code that it will not be able to diplay thumbnail if you repeat file extension in your file name. So if your file name is like name.gif.gif it will not be able to display its thumbnail.

<img border="0" src="{concat('/',@FileDirRef,'/_t/',
substring-before(translate(@FileLeafRef,'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ','abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'),concat('.',@FileType)),'_',@FileType,'.','jpg')}"
alt="'{@FileRef}'"/>

Write custom workflow for content approval

2009-11-29T11:11:00.000+05:00

In order to write custom workflow for content approval you may need to do a lot depending on your requirements but following are few useful tips that may help you to to it quickly

1. How to approve list item from your code

In order to approve list item from your code you need to need to modify list item's moderation status using following line
Item.ModerationInformation.Status = SPModerationStatusType.Approved
Where Item is your list item

2. In order to start workflow automatically on item publishing event
You need to select following option while associating custom workflow with your list
"Start this workflow to approve publishing a major version of an item"
You may not find this option with your custom work flow if you haven't placed following configuration in your wokflow meta data while defining work flow.

<Workflow .... .> .......... <MetaData> <InitiationType>
Manual;#OnNewItem;#OnItemUpdate;#OnMajorCheckIn
</InitiationType> </MetaData> </Workflow>

General correlation token related issues with CreateTaskWithContentType

2009-11-27T11:02:00.000+05:00

You may encounter different issues while working with windows workflow foundation if you have not initialize you correlation token correctly or not configured you activity properly.

When you enable tracing or start debugging your workflow you may get following.

CorrelationToken Uninitialized for {corelationtokenname} owner activity {Task Name}

following configuration needs to be checked in order to rectify above issue.

1. Check "Correlation Token.Owner Activity" is set to current state
CreateTaskWithContentType should not run with shared workflow correlation token. You should define separate correlation token for all task activities. The owner of defined correlation token should be your activity.

2. Check all related activities e.g. OnTaskChange etc has same correlation token
When you utilize CreateTaskWithContentType activity you may need to place few more activities e.g. OnTaskChange, CompleteTask etc. Activities related to CreateTaskWithContentType activity should have same correlation token assigned.

3. Check that content type is added (enabled) in your task list
When you use CreateTaskWithContentType with custom content type you may get this issue if content type is not added in your task list. In this case you will have to add your content type in your task list using following steps
- Go to list setting screen of your task list
- Allow management of content type from advance setting link
- Add your custom content type in task list

Sharepoint : How to set content approval status programatically

2009-11-17T19:33:00.000+05:00

There are business scenarios when we need to programmatically set content pusblishing status of an Item. Examples would be the custom workflow for publishing or content approval. Following simple line of code can be used to set approval status.


item.ModerationInformation.Status = SPModerationStatusType.Approved;
item.Update();



How to query data from multiple sharepoint lists
2009-11-15T13:30:00.000+05:00
Share point provide two mechanism for querying data from multiple share point lists

SPSiteDataQuery
FullTextQuery

Following link on msdn explain usage for SPSiteDataQuery
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.sharepoint.spsitedataquery.aspx





Installing Sharepoint Server on Windows 2008
2009-11-13T18:42:00.000+05:00
Windows 2008 does not support installation of Share point Server 2007 without Office/WSS Service pack 1. Therefore when you try to install share point setup on Windows 2008 machine it will give you an error that service pack is required to run this installation.
In order to run installation on windows 2008 machine you need to perform following set of activities.

First download WSS Service Pack 1 and Office Sharepoint Server 2007 Service Pak 1 from Microsoft site.

Copy all files from installation CD to local disk.

Open command prompt and navigate to folder where you have downloaded service pack1 for WSS and Office server and run following commands
wssv3sp1-kb936988-x86-fullfile-en-us.exe /extract:C:\WSSSP1
officeserver2007sp1-kb936984-x86-fullfile-en-us.exe /extract:C:\MOSSSP1

Copy all files you extracted in last step i.e. C:\WSSP1 and C:\MOSSSP1 to Updates folder of Sharepoint installation (at local disk)

Now run sharepoint setup from your installation files in your hardisk. It should run properly.

Basically Windows 2008 require you to install Sharepoint setup file with SP1. Sharepoint setup looks in updates folder and applys those updates with installation so as we copied extracted files of SP1 in updates folder of shrepoint setup it will automatically deploy those files and will not give any error.





Using SQL Reporting Services with in Microsoft Sharepoint in native Mode
2009-11-11T18:15:00.000+05:00
If you need to display Reports developed using SQL Reporting services there
are two options. Either you use you Share point Server in integrated mode with
SQL Server Reporting services or you may use it in Native Mode. Following
defines the steps you need to perform in oder to use reports in Native Mode.

Microsoft provide report explorer and report viewer web part to display and
browse reports deployed at MS SQL Server Reporting Server. But these web parts
are not installed by default so you need to download and install reporting
server add on (SharePointRS.msi) following link may be used for
downloading SQL Server Add-on from Microsoft site.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=1E53F882-0C16-4847-B331-132274AE8C84&displaylang=en

Now even if you installed the addon it will deploy necessary cab files in your
system but web part will not be activated automatically and you need to run
following stsadm command in order to activate and utilize web parts

"%SystemDrive%\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server
extensions\12\bin\stsadm.exe" -o addwppack -globalinstall -force -filename
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Reporting
Services\SharePoint\RSWebParts.cab"

After running above command reporting server web part will be
available in miscellaneous group.