DataGrid, DataList and Repeater

Question

Hi What are the Differences between DataGrid, DataList and Repeater ?

Satyapriya Nayak · Answer

Hi Arun, Similarities: They are all ASP.NET data Web controls. They have common properties like DataSource Property DataBind Method ItemDataBound ItemCreated When the DataSource Property of a Datagrid is assigned to a DataSet then each DataRow present in the DataRow Collection of DataTable is assigned to a corresponding DataGridItem. Difference: Datagrid The HTML code generated has an HTML TABLE element created for the particular DataRow and is a tabular representation with Columns and Rows. Datagrid has a in-built support for Sort, Filter and paging the Data. Datalist An Array of Rows and based on the Template Selected and the RepeatColumn Property value The number DataSource records that appear per HTML Repeater Control The Datarecords to be displayed depend upon the Templates specified and the only HTML generated accordingly. Repeater does not have in-built support for Sort, Filter and paging the Data. DataGrid and DataList controls are derived from the WebControl class, while the Repeater control is derived from the Control class. The WebControl class contains a number of aesthetic properties, such as BackColor, ForeColor, CssClass, BorderStyle and so on. In ASP .NET basically there are three kinds of the Data Presentation Controls. GridView or DataGrid DataList Repeater List of different abilities of Repeater Control, Datalist Control and GridView Control features. Features of a GridView: Displays data as a table Updateable Item as row Control over Alternate item Header Footer Colors, font, borders, etc. Paging Features of Repeater: List format No default output More control More complexity Item as row Not updateable Features of DataList: Directional rendering Good for columns Item as cell Alternate item Updateable Difference between Datagrid,DataList and Data Repeater: Datagrid has paging while Datalist doesnt. Datalist has a property called repeat. Direction = vertical/horizontal. (This is of great help in designing layouts). This is not there in Datagrid. A repeater is used when more intimate control over html generation is required. When only checkboxes/radiobuttons are repeatedly served then a checkboxlist or radiobuttonlist are used as they involve fewer overheads than a Datagrid. The Repeater repeats a layout of HTML you write, it has the least functionality of the three. DataList is the next step up from a Repeater; accept you have very little control over the HTML that the control renders. DataList is the first of the three controls that allow you Repeat-Columns horizontally or vertically. Finally, the DataGrid is the motherload. However, instead of working on a row-by-row basis, you're working on a column-by-column basis. DataGrid caters to sorting and has basic paging for your disposal. Again you have little contro, over the HTML. NOTE: DataList and DataGrid both render as HTML tables by default. GridView example: GridView example AllowSorting="True" AutoGenerateColumns="False" DataKeyNames="CustomerID" DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1"> SortExpression="CustomerID" /> SortExpression="CompanyName" /> SortExpression="ContactName" /> SortExpression="ContactTitle" /> SortExpression="Address" /> SortExpression="Region" /> SortExpression="PostalCode" /> SortExpression="Country" /> ConnectionString=" " SelectCommand="SELECT * FROM [Company]"> DataList Example: DataList in ASP.NET using C# BorderStyle="None" BorderWidth="1px" CellPadding="3" CellSpacing="2" DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1" Font-Bold="True" Font-Names="Verdana" Font-Size="Small" GridLines="Both" RepeatColumns="2" RepeatDirection="Horizontal" Width="463px"> HorizontalAlign="Center" VerticalAlign="Middle" /> Student Information Name: ' ForeColor="#000099" /> DOB: ' /> Age: ' /> Course: ' /> Branch: ' /> City: ' /> MobileNo: ' /> ConnectionString=" " SelectCommand="SELECT * FROM [Student]"> Repeater Example: Repeater Example ****** End of the funky stuff ConnectionString=" " SelectCommand="SELECT * FROM [Student]"> Please refer the below link http://24x7aspnet.blogspot.in/2009/06/feature-difference-between.html Thanks