I am always reluctant to use Netadvantage for ASP.NET controls when there already exist the same controls in VS2005 (i.e.: gridview, panel, tab). Although Infragistics controls are easier to use and has plenty of formatting options, the load that these controls add (JavaScript code in the resource file and styling images) push me away. I am not sure exactly how much it would increase the loading time or it would be noticeable for the user. I hope I am wrong
As I'm sure you've come to realize, software development is a constant tradeoff. Add more functionality, and performance takes a hit. In the new generation of web applications, end users have come to expect a rich experience, and that doesn't come for free. In many cases the performance hit is negligable, but there's always going to be a 'best case', where the feature-less will be faster than the feature-laden.
Here are a few things to think about.
Using AJAX techniques, you can break through performance barriers that were impossible to break through in the past. For example, you can use Virtual LoadOnDemand for the WebGrid to bind to millions of records, and have the performance of a grid with only 10 rows in it. Rich editing is made possibe using masked editors, and can be done without annoying postbacks to "enter edit mode". Paging can be done asynchronously, and the paging mechanism is built into the grid. There's an entire client-side API that you can use to program against any of the Infragistics controls without having to postback. Leveraging these aspects will enable you to create an application where the user can be more productive, and have a good experience.
Here are a couple of additional points to think about when dealing when any web application.
All script and css files are cached by both your webserver and the client browser. The client will only have to wait while the script is downloaded the first time they visit the site (unless they clear their cache).
Turning on GZIP compression on your WebServer can shrink the js files down quite a bit.
Also, you may have read in the beta forums that we're working on a new framework for our controls called "Aikido" One of the goals of this framework is to minimize the difference between "feature" and "performance". We want to deliver the features with the performance, and that's what we're focusing on.
I hope this helps,
-Tony
Hello,
We are using NetAdvantage for .NET+WPF 2007 Vol 3, the question that keeps coming up and I am looking for documentation on, is: Does NetAdvantage need to load, JavaScript or ActiveX controls to the client?
Can you point me in the right direction?
NetAdvantage for ASP.NET controls use JavaScript for client-side behaviors. Thus, they require JavaScript to be enabled on the client machine, but not ActiveX.
Can stored procedures (pl/sql) be used for hierarchical data sources? Could you point me to any examples?
thanks in advance!
GS
Thank you for the comment. I think it is important to be interactive these days with people in the IT industry, not just with respects to Port80 Software, but as a whole. You need to be out there in the heart of the community seeing what is out there and lending a hand whenever is possible.
Compression, in my opinion, is going to be one of the key factors in our world's internet infrastructure. Sending less data, much faster, utilizing less bandwith; in-turn creating a ROI, without sacraficing performanc-WHERE DO YOU GO WRONG?
I would also like to make mention of a completely new compression tool that Port80( www.Port80Software.com ) is about to release, called httpZip.NET.
Basically, I think you would be interested in this because our new httpZip.NET offers not just IIS 7.0 support, but also is able to do an entirely new type of compression, called bZip2. New browsers like Google Chrome are able to decompress this format, but the SERVER-SIDE compression (what we do) has to be able to compress in this format for to use it. Basically bZip2 is better, and so anyone who wants to be using the best practices needs to have server-side compression capable of compressing in bZip2. Be very interested, because I don't think anyone else is doing this yet - it's rather new. We can offer more technical-speak, of course, but that's the main idea.... would be a great value add-on for hosting vendors.
If anyone wants to know any further about httpZip.NET, do not hesitate to contact me, I am always one call or email away.
Oh yea, I think I know why I like posting here now, I noticed a lot of you Infragistic guys are from New Jersey, so am I!!!!
Well, catch you all later and let me know if anyone needs any help (don't we all!?).
Andrew F. Jones | Sales Manager
Port80 Software, Inc.
1.858.268.7960 ext. 24 - 1.888.4.PORT80
http://www.Port80Software.com
http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/AndrewFJones
Great -- glad to see how this thread shapes up and that fellow industry partners are glad to help as well.
I just want to add to this obviously very popular thread several resources that we have added since the last post.
Winforms
WinGrid Performance Guide by Mike Saltzman -- absolute must read, a lot of information, tips and great suggestions for performance presented in easy-to-understand style:
http://forums.infragistics.com/forums/t/15306.aspx
ASP.NET
We have started gathering some suggestion from customers for ASP.NET in this thread as well:
http://forums.infragistics.com/forums/p/14306/52885.aspx#52885
WPF:
Load millions of record in XamDatagrid
http://forums.infragistics.com/forums/t/20199.aspx
Hope this helps, and keep the feedback coming.
As the Sales Manager at Port80 Software, I am glad to see actual customers/users sharing their first-hand knowledge of our products.
If anyone is interested in purchasing, or needs additional information, I am always one call or email away.
AJones (at) Port80Software.com
Let me know how I can best assist.
Thanks!
Andrew
Port80 Software
www.Port80Software.com
I have been using Infragistics products for the past 10 years...Sheridan Data Widgets. None of their customers pushes these guys harded than I do! Very simply, nearly all of my development is tied to using the Infragistics toolset. I can literally say I have zero experience with the MS Grid that ships with VS2008.One of the things I learned a long time ago about database development for windows and web is that the presentation layer is just that: THE PRESENTATION LAYER. Any effort to use it to massage and manipulate the data has performance consequences.THE DB SERVER IS YOUR FRIENDGet the data you need from your server EXACTLY the way you want the data presented. Yes it takes more time to write the stored procs, but you should also see a performance gain.Web Hierachical Data SourceI have been waiting for this control for a while. It eliminates the need to manually create your heirachical grid. Instead you create multiple sqldatasources and the WHDS manages the relationships for the WebGrid. It has great potential! :) . I want to see it at the centerpiece of ALL the Infragistics hierachical controls Trees, Menus, Calendars etc. It works fabulously with the Trees, Menus. Me thinks it should eventually replace the "custom datasource" used for the calendar. That way the calendar "data" can be easier to customize.WebDialogWindowI use this on EVERY MASTERPAGE! Being able to provide a modal dialog with a few lines of code is something every developer needs. Now I need it to provide standard Alert dialogs that can replace the MS validation alert boxes."Every conquest brings a newer quest!" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt