DEV Community: Jayson Ragasa

HtmlAgilityPack Test Bed

Jayson Ragasa — Fri, 22 May 2020 17:03:00 +0000

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HtmlAgilityPack Test Bed

An XPath test bed using HtmlAgilityPack library.

This is actually a remake to my old HAPTestbed written in Windows Forms before

Downloads

Stand alone application can be downloaded here

https://install.appcenter.ms/users/jaysondragasa-outlook.com/apps/htmlagilitypacktestbed/distribution_groups/public

Source code

https://github.com/jaysonragasa/HtmlAgilityPackTestBed

Youtube Floating Player

Jayson Ragasa — Sun, 17 May 2020 01:16:48 +0000

YouTube Floating Player

This is a very simple YouTube player stand-alone app that stays on top on every windows on your desktop and especially on taskbar. Well, at least it try to since the windows taskbar is, by default designed to be on top.

Back when I was still developing Windows Forms. Win32API is used everytime to all my projects just trying to manipulate how the standard controls look. My favorite website back then is PINVOKE.NET

This app uses SetWindowspos API

[DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
static extern bool SetWindowPos(IntPtr hWnd, IntPtr hWndInsertAfter, int X, int Y, int cx, int cy, int uFlags);

to set the current window on top by setting -1 parameter along with other two flags 0x0002 and 0x0001

Here's a ready to use class

using System;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

namespace YouTubePlayer.WPF
{
    public class Win32API
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Places the window above all non-topmost windows. The window maintains its topmost position even when it is deactivated.
        /// </summary>
        const int HWND_TOPMOST = -1;

        /// <summary>
        /// Retains the current position (ignores X and Y parameters).
        /// </summary>
        const int SWP_NOMOVE = 0x0002;

        /// <summary>
        /// SWP_NOSIZE
        /// </summary>
        const int SWP_NOSIZE = 0x0001;

        const int TOPMOST_FLAGS = SWP_NOMOVE | SWP_NOSIZE;

        /// <summary>
        /// Changes the size, position, and Z order of a child, pop-up, or top-level window. 
        /// These windows are ordered according to their appearance on the screen. 
        /// The topmost window receives the highest rank and is the first window in the Z order.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="hWnd"></param>
        /// <param name="hWndInsertAfter"></param>
        /// <param name="X"></param>
        /// <param name="Y"></param>
        /// <param name="cx"></param>
        /// <param name="cy"></param>
        /// <param name="uFlags"></param>
        /// <returns></returns>
        [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
        static extern bool SetWindowPos(IntPtr hWnd, IntPtr hWndInsertAfter, int X, int Y, int cx, int cy, int uFlags);

        public static void SetWindowOnTop(IntPtr hWnd)
        {
            Win32API.SetWindowPos(
                    hWnd,
                    (IntPtr)Win32API.HWND_TOPMOST,
                    0, 0, 0, 0,
                    TOPMOST_FLAGS
                    );
        }
    }
}

WPF has Window.Topmost property that does the same but it has a limit.

The taskbar on windows has the same window placement and flag so when you move the floating player on top of the taskbar and you clicked on the taskbar, the player goes behind. There are no Win32API AFAIK that forces the window to ALWAYS be on top unless we put some timer to re-set the window z-index/placement which we did the same here in the floating player and this is where the Window.Topmost is not capable of doing so, that why we need that Win32API.

This is written with WPF and using CefSharp component for web browser control and it does not need any support to any browsers just to run the app.

CefSharp lets you embed Chromium in .NET apps. It is a lightweight .NET wrapper around the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) by Marshall A. Greenblatt. About 30% of the bindings are written in C++/CLI with the majority of code here is C#. It can be used from C# or VB, or any other CLR language. CefSharp provides both WPF and WinForms web browser control implementations.

Source and Download

https://github.com/jaysonragasa/YouTubePlayer.WPF the app can be downloaded in AppCenter https://install.appcenter.ms/users/jaysondragasa-outlook.com/apps/youtubeplayer.wpf/distribution_groups/public

Multi DRP Client .Net

Jayson Ragasa — Fri, 15 May 2020 13:47:55 +0000

Release

Binaries are available in AppCenter

https://install.appcenter.ms/users/jaysondragasa-outlook.com/apps/multirdpclient.net/distribution_groups/public

Source

https://github.com/jaysonragasa/MultiRDPClient.NET

Introduction . Background . Screen Shots . Features . Codes . Release History

Multi RDP Client .NET

Multi RDP Client .NET (formerly known as Multi Remote Desktop Client .NET) comes on handy when managing your RDP connections. A simple and friendly user interface for you to work and navigate easily through tabbed RDP remote window. Allows you to Import/Export .RDP files, Disconnect all connection at one click and Connect all your servers at one click as well. You can also change the resolution while working, set the window into fullscreen mode, and as well as enable window stretching and a lot more features!

Background

up

Thanks to AxInterop.MSTSCLib (mstscax.dll) an ActiveX COM Component which you can use to connect on Remote Desktop. So, I made a GUI for it for you to connect on your servers via terminal service on multiple window view in one application. How to use MSTSCAX.DLL?

You must have the ActiveX file in your system called "mstscax.dll".
if not, then you can Google for the file and download it, then make sure you registered it using "RegSvr32 ". I think that's one of the IIS package if you installed the Remote Desktop Web Connection.
On the UI Design mode in VS2005 or 8. go to your toolbox and Open Choose Toolbox Items and look for Microsoft RDP Client Control in COM Components tab.

I'm guessing you successfully added that control in your toolbar. So I don't think I have to explain how to get that in your Form.

Screenshots

Main Window

Server Lists

Server Group

Import

About Window

Features

up

Command Line Parameters - requested by: Simon Capewell

/sname "server name" Can open a new client window by providing a Server Name
/gname "group name" Can open a multiple client window by specifying the Group Name

Add, Edit, Delete Servers

Those words say it all.

Server Settings Window

the Server Settings window has the following:

General Tab
- Server Name You can give your connection name
- Server The host address or IP address
- Custom Port - requested by: Simon Capewell. Allowing the RDP to connect to different port.
- Username Your RD server Username
- Password Your RD server Password
- Description Your Server description
- Group You can choose the group of your Server. You can also open Group Manager from there
- Display Tab Desktop Sizes - some resolutions were requested by: Simon Capewell
- 640 x 480
- 800 x 600
- 1024 x 768
- 1120 x 700
- 1152 x 864
- 1280 x 800
- 1280 x 1024
- Custom Desktop Height and Width
- Fullscreen
- Colors
- True Color (24 bit)
- High Color (16 bit)
- High Color (15 bit)
- 256 Colors

Configuration Window

General Tab
- Password
- Your Startup Password
Display Tab
- Hide when Minimize
  - If Enabled, the window hides and it self and you bring it up anytime by double clicking on notification icon in system tray.
  - If Disabled, the window just minimized and accessible in taskbar.
- Notification Window
  - If Enabled, Notification window pops up everytime you hover into some controls.
  - if Disabled, You know what that means ..

Import/Export

Import from RDP file format You can import your current RDP files Note: Currently, the password made by MSTSC cannot be decrypted. I Still have to work on this
Export to RDP file format You can export the servers in RDP file format

Group Manager - requested by: Simon Capewell

You can create a group for your RDP connections.

Database

The app is using SQLite3 - ADO.NET instead of working with XML which can be very time-consuming.

Notification Icon

This icon sits on your system tray area and you can right click on it to show the context menu or double click to bring up the window when minimized or hidden.

The context menu items contains:

Servers - And under it contains the Groups and the Servers
Disconnect All
Configuration
Lock
Exit
Lock Application

For safety purposes, a Lock feature is added to lock the current application and the Password Window will show up after locking the application.

Startup Password - requested by: shmulyeng

For safety purposes, a Password feature is added before opening the application.

After entering 3 invalid passwords, CAPTCHA verification will show up in Password Window

Server Lists Panel

You can change the views in Server Lists panel in Detailed, Tiled, and Tree

Context Menu in Server Lists Panel - requested by: Simon Capewell and shmulyeng Context Menu will popup after right clicking on the items and you can Add, Edit, Delete, and Group Connect.
Collapse/Expand Server Lists Panel - requested by: Simon Capewell You can collapse or expand the server lists panel.
Groups - requested by: Simon Capewell Servers are arranged by Groups
Different Views - requested by: Simon Capewell You can set the Server lists view by Detailed, Tiled, and Tree

MDI Tabs - requested by: shmulyeng

Of course, Tabs can be very helpfull when selecting client windows

Disconnect All

Disconnects all connected RD clients.

Client Window

Connect, Disconnect, and Reconnect: This Connects, Disconnects, or Reconnects your RD connection.
Fullscreen: Sets the RD connection to Fullscreen. It can also ask you to resize the Resolution based on your Desktop Resolution
Fit To Window: The RD resolution can change based on the RD client window
- Fit to Window
- Stretch
Settings: Opens the server settings

Info Popup Window

This window automatically popups when hovered on the control showing a description of what the control can do.

Credits

I do give a lot of credits to the people who shared their Ideas, Custom Control, and Codes.

Credits can be found in my About Window

Code Snippets

up

A simple example on RDP connection to connect to a remote desktop.

// for example, I have my AxMsRdpClient control named rdpClient.
rdpClient.Server = "sever name here"; 
rdpClient.UserName = "your username on remote pc"; 
rdpClient.AdvancedSettings2.ClearTextPassword = "you password on remote pc";
// optional 
rdpClient.ColorDepth = 16; // int value can be 8, 15, 16, or 24
rdpClient.DesktopWidth = 1024; // int value 
rdpClient.DesktopHeight = 768; // int value 
rdpClient.FullScreen = true|false; // boolean value that can be True or False
// and connect 
rdpClient.Connect();

Setting full screen in runtime is fairly simple

// just set the Fullsceen property to TRUE
rdpClient.Fullscreen = true;
// strecth the screen
rdpClient.AdvanceSettings3.SmartSizing = true;

Points of interest about connection and disconnection

I implemented a Reconnect feature. But its not easy as calling Disconnect() and Connect().

You should wait until it properly disconnected and call Connect().

In AxMsRdpClient, there is a Connect property which acts as a Connection Status:

1 = Connected
0 = Disconnected

Now reconnecting can be done by doing this:

// call Disconnect() method on AxMsRdpClient
rdpClient.Disconnect();

// wait for the server to properly disconnect
while (rdpClient.Connected != 0)
{
    System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000);
    Application.DoEvents(); 
} 
// call Connect() method on AxMsRdpClient

You can always implement your own way of reconnecting. The code above is just the very basic, I do not recommend it.

Here's my RDPFile Reader class

/*
    Author: Jayson Ragasa
    Application Developer
 *  ---
 *  RDPFileReader 1.0
 *  
 *  RDP File Settings - http://dev.remotenetworktechnology.com/ts/rdpfile.htm
 *  Terminal Services Team Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2008/09/02/specifying-the-ts-client-start-location-on-the-virtual-desktop.aspx
*/
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
using System.IO;

namespace RDPFileReader
{
    public class RDPFile
    {
     #region enum

     public enum KeyboardHooks
     {
         ON_THE_LOCAL_COMPUTER = 0,
         ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER = 1,
         IN_FULL_SCREEN_MODE_ONLY = 2
     };

     public enum AudioModes
     {
         BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER = 0,
         DO_NOT_PLAY = 1,
         LeAVE_AT_REMOTE_COMOPUTER = 2
     };

     public enum WindowState : int
     {
         NORMAL = 1,
         MAXMIZE = 3
     }

     public enum SessionBPPs
     {
         BPP_8 = 8,
         BPP_15 = 15,
         BPP_16 = 16,
         BPP_24 = 24

     }

     #endregion

     #region structs

     public struct RECT
     {
         public int Top;
         public int Left;
         public int Width;
         public int Height;
     }

     public struct WindowsPosition
     {
         public WindowState WinState;
         public RECT Rect;
     }

     #endregion

     #region variables

     private string _filename = string.Empty;

     #region RDP template
     string[] _rdpTemplate = {
                                 "screen mode id:i:{0}",
                                 "desktopwidth:i:{1}",
                                 "desktopheight:i:{2}",
                                 "session bpp:i:{3}",
                                 "winposstr:s:0,{4},{5},{6},{7},{8}",
                                 "full address:s:{9}",
                                 "compression:i:{10}",
                                 "keyboardhook:i:{11}",
                                 "audiomode:i:{12}",
                                 "redirectdrives:i:{13}",
                                 "redirectprinters:i:{14}",
                                 "redirectcomports:i:{15}",
                                 "redirectsmartcards:i:{16}",
                                 "displayconnectionbar:i:{17}",
                                 "autoreconnection enabled:i:{18}",
                                 "username:s:{19}",
                                 "domain:s:{20}",
                                 "alternate shell:s:{21}",
                                 "shell working directory:s:{22}",
                                 "password 51:b:{23}",
                                 "disable wallpaper:i:{24}",
                                 "disable full window drag:i:{25}",
                                 "disable menu anims:i:{26}",
                                 "disable themes:i:{27}",
                                 "disable cursor setting:i:{28}",
                                 "bitmapcachepersistenable:i:{29}"
                             };
     #endregion

     #region member fields

     int _screenMode = 0;
     int _desktopWidth = 0;
     int _desktopHeight = 0;
     SessionBPPs _sessionBPP = 0;
     WindowsPosition _winPosStr;
     string _fullAddress = string.Empty;
     int _compression = 0;
     KeyboardHooks _keyboardHook = 0;
     AudioModes _audiomode = 0;
     int _redirectDrives = 0;
     int _redirectPrinters = 0;
     int _redirectComPorts = 0;
     int _redirectSmartCards = 0;
     int _displayConnectionBar = 0;
     int _autoReconnectionEnabled = 0;
     string _username = string.Empty;
     string _domain = string.Empty;
     string _alternateShell = string.Empty;
     string _shellWorkingDirectory = string.Empty;
     string _password = string.Empty;
     int _disableWallpaper = 0;
     int _disableFullWindowDrag = 0;
     int _disableMenuAnims = 0;
     int _disableThemes = 0;
     int _disableCursorSettings = 0;
     int _bitmapCachePersistEnable = 0;

     #endregion

     #endregion

     #region properties

     public int ScreenMode
     {
         get
         {
             return this._screenMode;
         }
         set
         {
             this._screenMode = value;
         }
     }

     public int DesktopWidth
     {
         get
         {
             return this._desktopWidth;
         }
         set
         {
             this._desktopWidth = value;
         }
     }

     public int DesktopHeight
     {
         get
         {
             return this._desktopHeight;
         }
         set
         {
             this._desktopHeight = value;
         }
     }

     public SessionBPPs SessionBPP
     {
         get
         {
             return this._sessionBPP;
         }
         set
         {
             this._sessionBPP = value;
         }
     }

     public WindowsPosition WinPosStr
     {
         get
         {
             return this._winPosStr;
         }
         set
         {
             this._winPosStr = value;
         }
     }

     public string FullAddress
     {
         get
         {
             return this._fullAddress;
         }
         set
         {
             this._fullAddress = value;
         }
     }

     public int Compression
     {
         get
         {
             return this._compression;
         }
         set
         {
             this._compression = value;
         }
     }

     public KeyboardHooks KeyboardHook
     {
         get
         {
             return this._keyboardHook;
         }
         set
         {
             this._keyboardHook = value;
         }
     }

     public AudioModes AudioMode
     {
         get
         {
             return this._audiomode;
         }
         set
         {
             this._audiomode = value;
         }
     }

     public int RedirectDrives
     {
         get
         {
             return this._redirectDrives;
         }
         set
         {
             this._redirectDrives = value;
         }
     }

     public int RedirectPrinters
     {
         get
         {
             return this._redirectPrinters;
         }
         set
         {
             this._redirectPrinters = value;
         }
     }

     public int RedirectComPorts
     {
         get
         {
             return this._redirectComPorts;
         }
         set
         {
             this._redirectComPorts = value;
         }
     }

     public int RedirectSmartCards
     {
         get
         {
             return this._redirectSmartCards;
         }
         set
         {
             this._redirectSmartCards = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisplayConnectionBar
     {
         get
         {
             return this._displayConnectionBar;
         }
         set
         {
             this._displayConnectionBar = value;
         }
     }

     public int AutoReconnectionEnabled
     {
         get
         {
             return this._autoReconnectionEnabled;
         }
         set
         {
             this._autoReconnectionEnabled = value;
         }
     }

     public string Username
     {
         get
         {
             return this._username;
         }
         set
         {
             this._username = value;
         }
     }

     public string Domain
     {
         get
         {
             return this._domain;
         }
         set
         {
             this._domain = value;
         }
     }

     public string AlternateShell
     {
         get
         {
             return this._alternateShell;
         }
         set
         {
             this._alternateShell = value;
         }
     }

     public string ShellWorkingDirectory
     {
         get
         {
             return this._shellWorkingDirectory;
         }
         set
         {
             this._shellWorkingDirectory = value;
         }
     }

     public string Password
     {
         get
         {
             return this._password;
         }
         set
         {
             this._password = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisableWallpaper
     {
         get
         {
             return this._disableWallpaper;
         }
         set
         {
             this._disableWallpaper = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisableFullWindowDrag
     {
         get
         {
             return this._disableFullWindowDrag;
         }
         set
         {
             this._disableFullWindowDrag = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisableMenuAnims
     {
         get
         {
             return this._disableMenuAnims;
         }
         set
         {
             this._disableMenuAnims = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisableThemes
     {
         get
         {
             return this._disableThemes;
         }
         set
         {
             this._disableThemes = value;
         }
     }

     public int DisableCursorSettings
     {
         get
         {
             return this._disableCursorSettings;
         }
         set
         {
             this._displayConnectionBar = value;
         }
     }

     public int BitmapCachePersistEnable
     {
         get
         {
             return this._bitmapCachePersistEnable;
         }
         set
         {
             this._bitmapCachePersistEnable = value;
         }
     }

     #endregion

     #region methods

     public void Read(string filepath)
     {
         this._filename = filepath;

         string data = string.Empty;

         using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(filepath))
         {
             data = reader.ReadToEnd();
         }

         string[] settings = data.Split(new string[] { "\r\n" }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);

         foreach (string thisSetting in settings)
         {
             string regex = "(?<type>.*)\\:(?<dtype>\\w)\\:(?<value>.*)";

             RegexOptions options = 
               ((RegexOptions.IgnorePatternWhitespace | 
                 RegexOptions.Multiline) | RegexOptions.IgnoreCase);
             Regex reg = new Regex(regex, options);

             if (reg.IsMatch(thisSetting))
             {
                 Match m = reg.Match(thisSetting);

                 string v = m.Groups["value"].Value;

                 switch (m.Groups["type"].Value)
                 {
                     case "screen mode id":
                         this._screenMode = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "desktopwidth":
                         this._desktopWidth = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "desktopheight":
                         this._desktopHeight = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "session bpp":
                         this._sessionBPP = (SessionBPPs)int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "winposstr":
                         string[] vals = v.Split(',');

                         this._winPosStr.WinState = (WindowState)int.Parse(vals[1]);

                         this._winPosStr.Rect.Top = int.Parse(vals[2]);
                         this._winPosStr.Rect.Left = int.Parse(vals[3]);
                         this._winPosStr.Rect.Width = int.Parse(vals[4]);
                         this._winPosStr.Rect.Height = int.Parse(vals[5]);

                         break;

                     case "full address":
                         this._fullAddress = v;
                         break;

                     case "compression":
                         this._compression = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "keyboardhook":
                         this._keyboardHook = (KeyboardHooks)int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "audiomode":
                         this._audiomode = (AudioModes)int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "redirectdrives":
                         this._redirectDrives = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "redirectprinters":
                         this._redirectPrinters = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "redirectcomports":
                         this._redirectComPorts = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "redirectsmartcards":
                         this._redirectSmartCards = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "displayconnectionbar":
                         this._displayConnectionBar = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "autoreconnection enabled":
                         this._autoReconnectionEnabled = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "username":
                         this._username = v;
                         break;

                     case "domain":
                         this._domain = v;
                         break;

                     case "alternate shell":
                         this._alternateShell = v;
                         break;

                     case "shell working directory":
                         this._shellWorkingDirectory = v;
                         break;

                     case "password 51":
                         this._password = v;
                         break;

                     case "disable wallpaper":
                         this._disableWallpaper = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "disable full window drag":
                         this._disableFullWindowDrag = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "disable menu anims":
                         this._disableMenuAnims = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "disable themes":
                         this._disableThemes = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "disable cursor setting":
                         this._disableCursorSettings = int.Parse(v);
                         break;

                     case "bitmapcachepersistenable":
                         this._bitmapCachePersistEnable = int.Parse(v);
                         break;
                 }
             }
         }
     }

     public void Update()
     {
         Save(this._filename);
     }

     public void Save(string filepath)
     {
         this._filename = filepath;

         string template = string.Empty;

         foreach (string temp in this._rdpTemplate)
         {
             template += temp + "\r\n";
         }

         string data = string.Format(template,
             this._screenMode,
             this._desktopWidth,
             this._desktopHeight,
             (int)this._sessionBPP,
             (int)this._winPosStr.WinState, this._winPosStr.Rect.Top, 
                this._winPosStr.Rect.Left, this._winPosStr.Rect.Width, this._winPosStr.Rect.Height,
             this._fullAddress,
             this._compression,
             (int)this._keyboardHook,
             (int)this._audiomode,
             this._redirectDrives,
             this._redirectPrinters,
             this._redirectComPorts,
             this._redirectSmartCards,
             this._displayConnectionBar,
             this._autoReconnectionEnabled,
             this._username,
             this._domain,
             this._alternateShell,
             this._shellWorkingDirectory,
             this._password,
             this._disableWallpaper,
             this._disableFullWindowDrag,
             this._disableMenuAnims,
             this._disableThemes,
             this._disableCursorSettings,
             this._bitmapCachePersistEnable
         );

         using (StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(filepath))
         {
             writer.Write(data);
         }
     }

     #endregion
    }
}

We also have DataProtection class which was provided by Microsoft and a little bit of modification and some methods to implement such as converting Byte[] < to > Hex blob. We could create a MSTSC valid password.

Reference:
Building Secure ASP.NET Applications: Authentication, Authorization, and Secure Communication.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa302402.aspx#secnetht07_topic4

Implementing CryptProtectData and CryptUnprotectData from Crypt32.DLL

Remko Weijnen - "psw" descriptor on CryptProtectData

http://www.remkoweijnen.nl/blog/2007/10/18/how-rdp-passwords-are-encrypted/

Now I have created a wrapper called DataProtectionForRDPWrapper to easily Encrypt and Decrypt RDP password CREATED in DataProtection class. Why did I emphasize the "created" word. Some limitation on DataProtection class is, we can't decrypt the password created by MSTSC and still under research.

DataProtectionForRDPWrapper

/*
 * Author: Jayson Ragasa
 * Application Developer
 * 
 * --
 * Made a wrapper for DataProtector so I could
 * Encrypt/Decrypt valid password for RDP
 * 
 * TAKE NOTE:
 * This can't Decrypt MSTSC Password!
*/

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;

namespace DataProtection
{
    public class DataProtectionForRDPWrapper
    {
     static DataProtection.DataProtector dp = new DataProtector(DataProtector.Store.USE_USER_STORE);

     public static string Encrypt(string text_password)
     {
         byte[] e = dp.Encrypt(GetBytes(text_password), null, "psw");
         return GetHex(e);
     }

     public static string Decrypt(string enc_password)
     {
         byte[] b = ToByteArray(enc_password);
         byte[] d = dp.Decrypt(b, null, "psw");
         return GetString(d);
     }

     static byte[] GetBytes(string text)
     {
         return UnicodeEncoding.Unicode.GetBytes(text);
     }

     static string GetString(byte[] byt)
     {
         System.Text.Encoding enc = System.Text.Encoding.Unicode;
         return enc.GetString(byt);
     }

     static string GetHex(byte[] byt_text)
     {
         string ret = string.Empty;

         for (int i = 0; i < byt_text.Length; i++)
         {
             ret += Convert.ToString(byt_text[i], 16).PadLeft(2, '0').ToUpper();
         }

         return ret;
     }

     static byte[] ToByteArray(String HexString)
     {
         try
         {
             int NumberChars = HexString.Length;
             byte[] bytes = new byte[NumberChars / 2];
             for (int i = 0; i < NumberChars; i += 2)
             {
                 bytes[i / 2] = Convert.ToByte(HexString.Substring(i, 2), 16);
             }
             return bytes;
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
             // this occures everytime we decrypt MSTSC generated password.
             // so let's just throw an exception for now
             throw new Exception("Problem converting Hex to Bytes", ex);
         }
     }
    }
}

Using RDP Reader

// RDP Key descriptions found at
// http://dev.remotenetworktechnology.com/ts/rdpfile.htm

RDPFile rdp = new RDPFile();

// we wan't the window to be on a Maximize state
// 1 - windowed
// 2 - fullscreen
rdp.ScreenMode = 1;

// remote desktop resolution
rdp.DesktopWidth = 1024;
rdp.DesktopHeight = 768;

/* remote desktop color depth
public enum SessionBPPs
{
    BPP_8 = 8,
    BPP_15 = 15,
    BPP_16 = 16,
    BPP_24 = 24
}
*/
rdp.SessionBPP = SessionBPPs.BPP_16

/* how the window will look?
Terminal Services Team Blog explained the "winposstr" key!
The location on the virtual desktop where the TS Client initially 
positions itself can be controlled via the winposstr setting in the RDP file 
winposstr:s:0,ShowCmd,Left,Top,Right,Bottom
*/
RDPFile.WindowsPosition winpos = new RDPFile.WindowsPosition();
{
    RDPFile.RECT r = new RDPFile.RECT()
    {
        Top = 0;
        Left = 0;
        Width = ss.DesktopWidth;
        Height = ss.DesktopHeight;
    }

    winpos.Rect = r;
}

/* this is equal to ShowCmd from Terminal Services Team Blog 
public enum WindowState : int
{
    NORMAL = 1,
    MAXMIZE = 3
}
*/
winpos.WinState = RDPFile.WindowState.MAXMIZE;

rdp.WinPosStr = winpos; // set all our winposstr from the obove configuration
rdp.FullAddress = "192.168.1.1" // your server name or ip address;
rdp.Compression = 1;
// RemoteNetworkTechnology didn't fully explanied this
// but looks like this is needed for faster data transfer

/* For applying standard key combinations
public enum KeyboardHooks
{
    ON_THE_LOCAL_COMPUTER = 0,
    ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER = 1,
    IN_FULL_SCREEN_MODE_ONLY = 2
};
*/
rdp.KeyboardHook = RDPFile.KeyboardHooks.ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER;

/* How will the audio from the remote pc be played
public enum AudioModes
        {
            BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER = 0,
            DO_NOT_PLAY = 1,
            LeAVE_AT_REMOTE_COMOPUTER = 2
        };
*/
rdp.AudioMode = RDPFile.AudioModes.BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER;

rdp.RedirectDrives = 0; // should we share our local drives in the remote pc?
rdp.RedirectPrinters = 0; // should we share our printers in the remote pc?
rdp.RedirectComPorts = 0; // should we share our com ports in the remoe pc?
rdp.RedirectSmartCards = 0; // should we share our smart cards in the remote pc?
rdp.DisplayConnectionBar = 1; // will the Connection bar visible when in Fullscreen mode?
rdp.AutoReconnectionEnabled = 1; // do we need to automatically connect?
rdp.Username = "Admin"; // remote pc Username
rdp.Domain = "DomainName"; // remote pc Domain
rdp.AlternateShell = string.Empty; // are we going to use different shell other than C:\Windows\Explorer.exe?
rdp.ShellWorkingDirectory = string.Empty; // Working directory if an alternate shell was specified.

// here's the password implementing our DataProtection and the wrapper
rdp.Password = (ss.Password == string.Empty ? string.Empty : DataProtectionForRDPWrapper.Encrypt(ss.Password));

rdp.DisableWallpaper = 1; // should we disable wallpaper in the remote pc?
rdp.DisableFullWindowDrag = 1; // should we disable the full window drag in the remote pc and just show the box while dragging?
rdp.DisableMenuAnims = 1; // should we disable animations?
rdp.DisableThemes = 1; // should we disable Windows Visual Themes?
rdp.DisableCursorSettings = 1; // should we disable mouse cursor effects?
rdp.BitmapCachePersistEnable = 1; // This setting determines whether bitmaps are cached on the local computer

#region try exporting the file
{
    try
    {
        rdp.Save(@"D:\My Documents\MyRDPConnection.RDP");
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("An error occured while saving the configuration for '" + 
          rdp.FullAddress + "'.\r\n\r\nError Message: " + ex.Message, 
          this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
        System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message + "\r\n" + ex.StackTrace);
    }
}
#endregion

Reading .RDP files

string thisFile = @"D:\My Documents\MyRDPConnection.RDP";

#region Read RDP File
RDPFile rdpfile;
{
    try
    {
        rdpfile = new RDPFile();
        rdpfile.Read(thisFile);
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("An error occured while reading '" + 
          Path.GetFileName(thisFile) + "' and it will be skipped.\r\n\r\nError Message: " + 
          ex.Message, this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
        System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message + "\r\n" + ex.StackTrace);
    }
}
#endregion

Console.Writeline("RDP Username: " + rdpfile.Username);

#region Try decrypting the password from RDP file
{
    try
    {
        System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("reading password " + thisFile);
        Console.Writeline("RDP Password: " + DataProtectionForRDPWrapper.Decrypt(rdpfile.Password));
        System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("reading password done");
    }
    catch (Exception Ex)
    {
        ss.Password = string.Empty;

        if (Ex.Message == "Problem converting Hex to Bytes")
        {
            MessageBox.Show("This RDP File '" + 
                Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + 
                "' contains a secured password which is currently unsported by this " + 
                "application.\r\nThe importing can still continue but without the password.\r\nYou " + 
                "can edit the password later by selecting a server in 'All Listed Servers' " + 
                "and click 'Edit Settings' button on the toolbar", 
                this.Text, 
                MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Asterisk);
        }
        else if (Ex.Message.Contains("Exception decrypting"))
        {
            MessageBox.Show("Failed to decrypt the password from '" + 
               Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + "'", 
               this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
        }
        else
        {
            MessageBox.Show("An unknown error occured while decrypting the password from '" + 
              Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + "'", 
              this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
        }
    }
}
#endregion

Console.Writeline("RDP Desktop Width: " + rdpfile.DesktopWidth);
Console.Writeline("RDP Desktop Height: " + rdpfile.DesktopHeight);

Updating an .RDP file

//RDP File Reader test
RDPFileReader.RDPFile rdp = new RDPFileReader.RDPFile();
rdp.Read(@"D:\My Documents\RDP\Application Server (1120x700-16bitc).rdp");

Console.WriteLine(rdp.WinPosStr.WinState);

// set new Window State
// make window mode maxmize
RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowsPosition wpos = new RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowsPosition()
{
    Rect = rdp.WinPosStr.Rect;
    WinState = RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowState.MAXMIZE; // change the window state when in window mode.
};

rdp.WinPosStr = wpos;
rdp.SessionBPP = RDPFileReader.RDP.SessionBPPs.BPP_8; // change the color depth

// and call Update
rdp.Update();

Release History

June 24, 2015
UPDATE:
- Uploaded the code in GitHub
---- Solution updated to Visual Studio 2013
---- Using latest version of SQLite (NuGet)

Full Release - April 11, 2009
ADD:
- Added Hide/Show settings for Information popup window
UPDATE:
- Fixed Server Lists collapse bug when no MDI Child
- Fixed LiveInfoWindow from stealing the focus.
- Fixed database exception in Import Window.
- Group Manager window, redesigned to fit on MRDC.NET layout.
- Updated database schema.
---- Groups table uid is set to auto-increment.

Full Release - April 4, 2009 UPDATE:
- Fixed error when no password is set
- Fixed database scheme
- MSTSC Generated password can now be decrypted! 
- Fixed domain name, not saving 

Full Release / April 3 
UPDATE:
- Fixed stupid RDP Control Focus issue

Full Release / April 2 
NEW: - From the requests of Simon Capewell and shmulyeng - Simon Capewell Requests: 
--- DONE(03222009_1254)1. Allow connection to servers on a specific port using AdvancedSettings2.RDPPort 
--- DONE(03192009_0916)2. More screen resolutions on the slider - most obviously 1152x864 and 1280x1024. 
--- DONE(03202009_1341)3. Context menu on the list of servers. 
--- DONE(03222009_1254)4. Options for different icon sizes for the list of servers. 
--- DONE(03227009_0138)5. Groupings for servers - handy if you have lots of clients 
    each of whom have multiple servers. You could launch sessions for all the items in the group. 
--- DONE(03212009_1321)6. Auto hide or view menu option to show/hide the sidebar (similar to Visual Studio). 
--- DONE(03192009_0200)7. Clicking Delete Server or Edit Settings when there are no servers throws an exception. 

--- Here's another one that's just occurred. I use Launchy to index a directory with a load of .rdp files in it, 
    which means I can just type Ctrl+space then a portion of the server name and launch it. To do that with this tool it'd need to: 
--- DONE(03272009_1129)1. Be able to launch a connection from the built in server list from the command line. 
--- DONE(03272009_1129)2. Have a command line switch to open the connection in an existing instance of the app. 
--- DONE(03272009_1129)3. Perhaps even be able to launch connections from the command line 
    using rdp files rather than the built in server list. 
- shmulyeng requests: 
--- DONE(03272009_0252)Ability to password protect the server list. 
--- DONE(03202009_1341)Ability to right click on a connection item in the list to edit connection details. 
--- (WILL TRY) Ability to log out of a connection rather than disconnect. 
--- DONE(03212009_1321)One thing I like about Palantir is the tabs of open connections. 
- and I added some 
- CAPTCHA verfication on startup password. 
--- When an incorrrect password is entered 3x, CAPTCH verification panel will show up.
- SQLite3
--- scrap XML!! :P 
ADD: 
UPDATE: 
- The last release was pretty much stable so there's a small updates on the code and some bug fix. 

Alpha Release - 6, & 7 / March 19, 2009 
NEW: 
- Application can now run in Windows Vista. 
- Fixed AX MSRDPClient reference 
---- Thanks to Simon Capewell (http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Profiles.aspx?mid=215) 
-------- RemoteDesktopClient.aspx?fid=1537072&df=90&mpp=25&noise=3&sort=Position&view=Quick&select=2969383#xx2969383xx 
MARCH 21 
- LiveInformationBox 1.0 
--- Is a class library that pops up whenever you hover on a specified 
    control and shows some details about what the controls can do. 
--- The information shown on information box is an xml base. 
--- this is better than showing some information on a status strip :P 
- ListViewEx 
--- hooks some control (not just common control) to disable/enable if 
    listview has no item or when a selectio is made on listview items. 
--- good for automating controls instead of doing tons of lines just to disable/enable different controls. 
MARCH 25 
- Am using SQLite3 now instead of XML! :P 
---- it's taking too much time to maintain :P 
ADD: 
UPDATE: 
MARCH 20 
- Finally it's working on both OS, thanks to that AxImp and thanks to @unruledboy 
MARCH 23 
- LiveInformationBox 
-- now supports toolbar buttons 
- Server Lists 
-- now collapsable 
-- can change icon views 
-- context menu 
- For RDP client window 
-- on main form, now contains tab 
- Settings window 
-- added more resolution 
- ListViewEx for Server Lists 
-- control hooks so it can be easily Enable/Disable the controls when something's changed on the listview 
- crashes when clicking Edit Settings and Delete when no items on the Server Lists 
-- fixes the locking issue on rdp control when lossing its focus - Settings window 
-- Connection Port 
MARCH 25 
- LiveInformationBox 
---- fixed the UI 
---- still having some problem on window focus. 

Alpha Release - 5 / March 17, 2009 
NEW: 
- Import / Export RDP file format 
- Can delete selected server in "All Server List" panel. 
- Added new About Window 
ADD: 
UPDATE: 
- Fixed and Improved Fit To Window feature 
- Fixed Saving, Importing, and Exporting password handling. 

Alpha Release - 2, 3, & 4 / March 7, 2009 
NEW: 
- ServerList reader moved to a separate Class Library 
---- Custom Exception Handler 
- TextboxRequiredWrapper moved to a separate Class Library 
MARCH 8 
- Fixed updating settings bug! MARCH 8 - ServerSettingsWindow 
---- added new button("Get client window size"): Set the Desktop Width 
     and Height size base on rdp client window size. 
MARCH 9 
- Fixed Icon status on Server List if multiple windows are openned. 
---- not sure why I didn't noticed that. 
MARCH 12 
- RDP File Reader 
- Used to Read/Create/Update RDP Files 
- DataProtection 
- Used to Encrypt/Decrypt RDP Passwords and create valid RDP Passwords. 
ADD: 
MARCH 9 
- Added new button on main toolbar called "Disconnect All" 
---- which disconnects all connected rdp client. 
UPDATED: 
- saving a value on "dummy" attribute is now MD5 string 
- duplicate check while creating a New or Updating a Connection Settings. 
MARCH 8 
- Updated xml configuration template 
---- added UID element 
---- dummy and uid values are now DateTime(MMddyyhhmmss) format 
- Password is now encrypted using Rijndael Encryption/Decryption 
MARCH 8 - Current configuration on RDP Client Window now updates
- Server list now update after settings are changed on RDP Client Window MARCH 8 
- Settings can be applied on Server Lists or in Rdp Client Window. 

Alpha Release - 1 / March 6, 2009 
First release in CodePlex.coma

Finale

I hope you were able to learn and I hope I was able to help you with your RDP programming and implementation.

3rd Party Licenses and Links

TabStrip Control

https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/14298/TabStrip-Control

Magic TabControl - VS.NET Style

https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/2969/Magic-TabControl-VS-NET-Style

TreeView with Columns

https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/23746/TreeView-with-Columns

License

Microsoft Public License (MS-PL)
https://opensource.org/licenses/ms-pl.html

Article

The original article is posted in my CodeProject page here https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/33979/Multi-RDP-Client-NET

Inline codes inside XAML with XAMARIN

Jayson Ragasa — Sat, 09 May 2020 19:58:21 +0000

Basic Information

I couldn't think of any best example of this one so above is a little example how you can execute/evaluate a code inside the XAML file.

There are three things happening here

The placeholder hides when there's an image.
The placeholder shows when there is no image.
It shows a portion of the item name inside the placeholder.

I know, I know. Coverters can easily do this. You just have to create a Converter for hiding a part of an element and a Converter for taking part of the string... but this is a code inside the XAML and one great thing with this one is for example in Hot Reload, you will be able to see the changes. Imagine the flexibility of having an inline code inside the XAML.

So if you notice, I am only using one converter eval which executes my code.

Here's GIF preview

History

This is made possible by Interpreter made by HiSystems way back 2013. The development was stopped last 2015 and I think this is a good addition to Xamarin platform, WPF, or UWP.

I extended the Interpreter a bit to support some additional functions. Check README

So why Converter?

I was trying to implement this with Attached Attribute to somehow make it a bit interesting but I want this to run in any attributes in element.

I also tried using Markup Extension but it's just not possible since the source path could be in any name and it is important to know the source and getting the source value is even harder.

So the Converter is much easier to implement. It can be implemented in any attributes and you can easily get the actual value from the source.

Here's our converter

public class Convert_Interpret : IValueConverter
{
    public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
    {
        object result = null;

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty((string)value))
        {
            string p = (string)parameter;
            p = p.Trim();

            var e = ((App)Application.Current).Interpret;
            var xp = e.Parse(p);
            xp.Variables["x"].Value = new Text((string)value);
            return xp.Execute();
        }

        return result;
    }

    public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
    {
        return value;
    }
}

Added this line in App.xaml.cs

public Engine Interpret = new Engine();

CharmapEx

Jayson Ragasa — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:57:15 +0000

CharmapEx

Here's a simple WPF Core application called CharmapEx.

There's nothing really special to it other than you can load .TTF file or from the installed fonts in your system. You can select the character you want and will show you the code where you can use it in your XAML.

Resource

You can grab your self some material font icons here.

https://materialdesignicons.com
https://icomoon.io/app - This is a great website where you can create a custom font, based from PNG files. All you have to do is to import the black and white icon .PNG files, select what you actually need, and let the website generate the .TTF file for you.

Xamarin

Once you got the .TTF file. All you need to do is to copy that file in your main project. Like the screenshot below.

And set the Build Action to Embedded resource

Open the AssemblyInfo.cs and add (i.e. We have our materialdesignicons.ttf file) this line

[assembly: ExportFont("materialdesignicons.ttf", Alias = "materialfonts")]

Now you can use your custom font like so

<Label Text=" &#xf039c; " FontFamily="materialfonts" />

This is how it looks

UWP

Well I'm trying to port this to UWP as well but .. I'm not sure if it is necessary. Anyhow, the UWP project is available when you check out the source code. The interface is there and requires an actual implementation that will work for UWP.

public class Fonty : IFonty
{
    public List<Model_Character> CharacterLists { get => throw new NotImplementedException(); set => throw new NotImplementedException(); }
    public bool HasSelectedAFile { get => throw new NotImplementedException(); set => throw new NotImplementedException(); }
    public string SelectedFontFamilyName { get => throw new NotImplementedException(); set => throw new NotImplementedException(); }
    public object FontFamily { get => throw new NotImplementedException(); set => throw new NotImplementedException(); }

    public List<Model_Character> GetCharactersFromFontFamiy(object fontFamily)
    {
        throw new NotImplementedException();
    }

    public Task<List<object>> GetFontFamilies()
    {
        throw new NotImplementedException();
    }

    public Task<List<Model_Character>> Parse()
    {
        throw new NotImplementedException();
    }

    public void ShowOpenFileDialog()
    {
        throw new NotImplementedException();
    }
}

AppCenter Release

You can download the WPF core app here

https://install.appcenter.ms/users/jaysondragasa-outlook.com/apps/charmapex/distribution_groups/public

Create AppCenter Keystore

Jayson Ragasa — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 08:47:56 +0000

To be able to run the distributed application in any Android device. AppCenter requires you to upload your KeyStore to be able to sign the apk file.

To do this, you must generate your personal .keystore file.

Head over to keytool.exe directory by using PowerShell in Administrative mode or you'll get Access Denied when keyool generates your keystore file.

And enter cmd then ↲ - The reason why we do this is to just simplify our navigation to Java folder in Profile Files (x86) or directly in JDK folder.
Next cd %java_home%\bin ↲ - if that failed, then you can try this cd %programfiles(x86)%\Java ↲ then dir ↲ and it should list the folder contents

C:\Program Files (x86)\Java>dir
 Volume in drive C is SIDE A
 Volume Serial Number is 5851-D4A3

 Directory of C:\Program Files (x86)\Java

03/29/2020  05:18 AM    <DIR>          .
03/29/2020  05:18 AM    <DIR>          ..
09/19/2018  12:55 PM    <DIR>          jdk1.8.0_181
03/29/2020  05:17 AM    <DIR>          jre1.8.0_241
               0 File(s)              0 bytes
               4 Dir(s)  17,503,277,056 bytes free

C:\Program Files (x86)\Java>

(cont).. cd jdk + then current version. i.e cd jdk1.8.0_181 ↲ then finaly cd bin
Next keytool -genkeypair -v -keystore WhateverFilenameYouWant.keystore -alias AndWhateverKeystoreAliasYouWant -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -deststoretype PKCS12 ↲

i.e keytool -genkeypair -v -keystore AppCenter.keystore -alias AppCenterKeyStore -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -deststoretype PKCS12 ↲
Then just answer the questions like the first screenshot above.
Your keystore file will be saved in the same folder so copy that somewhere meaningful to you.
You can validate your keystore by typing keytool -list -v -keystore WhateverFilenameYouWant.keystore -alias AndWhateverKeystoreAliasYouWant -storepass THEPASSWORDYOUSET -keypass THEPASSWORDYOUSET

i.e keytool -list -v -keystore AppCenter.keystore -alias AppCenterKeyStore -storepass secretpass -keypass secretpass

and should get something like this

Alias name: AndWhateverKeystoreAliasYouWant
Creation date: Apr 19, 2020
Entry type: PrivateKeyEntry
Certificate chain length: 1
Certificate[1]:
Owner: CN=jayson ragasa, OU=dev, O=jaraio, L=manila, ST=metro manila, C=ph
Issuer: CN=jayson ragasa, OU=dev, O=jaraio, L=manila, ST=metro manila, C=ph
Serial number: 48624cd
Valid from: Sun Apr 19 15:22:36 SGT 2020 until: Thu Sep 05 15:22:36 SGT 2047
Certificate fingerprints:
         MD5:  E8:19:1C:D5:58:9F:51:62:0F:70:57:B5:A5:A4:03:04
         SHA1: EF:84:7A:01:22:41:34:AC:27:97:56:B0:47:80:AF:3C:F5:64:D7:9A
         SHA256: E1:5D:DC:A3:91:EC:76:26:79:FC:9F:DB:91:77:AE:E4:5C:C1:AD:6C:DA:08:CB:99:77:D9:C8:33:D7:14:FD:22
Signature algorithm name: SHA256withRSA
Subject Public Key Algorithm: 2048-bit RSA key
Version: 3

Extensions:

#1: ObjectId: 2.5.29.14 Criticality=false
SubjectKeyIdentifier [
KeyIdentifier [
0000: AF 37 11 14 F4 26 E5 C4   8A B7 B2 09 E1 53 83 8F  .7...&.......S..
0010: 29 2E CC 0B                                        )...
]
]

(cont..) next step is to heave over to your build configuration in your AppCenter, upload this keystore then enter password, alias, and password again

To put this simply

Watch the YouTube video

Clear Add VS Lookup Move

Jayson Ragasa — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 04:59:54 +0000

GitHub Repo

Clear Add VS Lookup Move

It's always in my thought but barely implemented that when just refreshing the list to show updated data or just sorting things. It's always better to move the items around instead of calling .Clear() then refilling the list. I implemented this before, way back 2015 when I was working on a Kiosk WPF app and in administration mode there are some lists that shows real time updates.. it's a pain watching the list clearing and then repopulating when something changes in the background. It's ugly, it's slow, and you can't click on it.

I am working on a simple project called COVID19 Tracker were I need to sort different columns of COVID19 cases -- Country, Confirmed Case, Total Recoveries, Total Deaths. When I click on the column headers, I noticed this very slow performance when repopulating the ListView and it even got slower when the hot reload triggers the refresh of the entire page.

Look at the duration here

The ListView is bound on an ObservableCollection<T> and has 221 items in it. We're not paging for the mean time. I also have a List<T> where I keep a backup for sorting purposes. So comparing the result of usinig lazy reloading were we use .Clear() and .Add(T) to refresh the items in the list against just moving the items T LookupItem() and .Move(int index). The result is interesting.

Lazy loading took 100 to 130 +- millisecond to complete EVERYTIME I sort the list
Moving took only 20 to 30 +- millisecond. That's a huge difference in performance. Codes may be a bit longer with this one plus the look up is using .Where. I think it may perform even more faster if I used the traditional loop.

This duration will be different of course based on your device. In my device, the lazy load took 300+- ms and using Move took only around 60+-ms.

iOS List Animation

Here's the difference in iOS.

Left simulator is "filling" the list whilst the right is "switching". Please bear with the responses when activing the simulator. I am only using a virtual OS of the macOS High Sierra version 10.13.6
]

Jara.Xaml.Control.Extensions

Jayson Ragasa — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 04:58:15 +0000

JaraXamlControlExtensions

An extension libraries for XAML controls using attached attributes.
GitHub Repo

Libraries

GridEx

There are 4 attached attributes where you can use for Grid and other elements. 3 of these primarily used for Grid and the other 1 is for whatever element you want to use it with.
Check the screenshot above to compare both XAML which has the same output when ran.

GridEx Attached Attributes

RowDefinitions, ColumnDefinitions, and GridDefinitions - You can use these attributes to create rows and columns inline!
RowColumn - Use this attribute to position or span across your element in a grid.

Special characters

In part of making it even more easier to create Rows and Columns. There are new special characters as an alternative to the following. But that does not mean you cannot use the old values.

Tilde (~) is an alternative for Auto
Space as an alternative for comma

Usage

Add new namespace in your xaml

UWP
- xmlns:jio="using:Jara.Xaml.Control.Extension"
WPF
- xmlns:jio="clr-namespace:Jara.Xaml.Control.Extension;assembly=Jara.Xaml.ControlExtensions.NetStandard"
WPF Core
- xmlns:jio="clr-namespace:Jara.Xaml.Control.Extension;assembly=Jara.Xaml.ControlExtensions.NetCore"
Xamarin
- xmlns:jio="clr-namespace:Jara.Xaml.Control.Extension;assembly=Jara.Xaml.ControlExtensions.Xamarin"

Creating rows or columns


xaml <Grid jio:GridEx.RowDefinitions="Auto,*,2*,50,Auto">`  
or  
`<Grid jio:GridEx.RowDefinitions="Auto * 2* 50 auto">`  
or  
`<Grid jio:GridEx.RowDefinitions="~ * 2* 50 ~">`  
And these values can be used in `ColumnDefinitions` or `GridDefinitions`

**Creating rows AND columns**  
You can use `GridDefinition` if you're planning to add rows AND columns.  
Create 2 rows and 2 columns.  
`<Grid jio:GridEx.GridDefinitions="~ */~ *">`  
Notice the slash (/) which only separates the values for the Rows and Columns.  

**Placing your element to a specific row and column or span your element**  
use `RowColumn` to place an element in a specific row and column.  
* `<ListView jio:GridEx.RowColumn="1/0">` place the ListView  in the 2nd row and first column.  
* `<ListView jio:GridEx.RowColumn="1/0 2">` place the ListView in the 2nd row and first column and span upto the 2nd column.  
* `<ListView jio:GridEx.RowColumn="1 3/0">` place the ListView in the 2nd row and first column and span it upto the 3rd row.   

# History
## 1.3
* Added support for WPF, WPF Core, and UWP
* Added support ~ and (space) for RowDefinitions and ColumnDefinitions

## 1.2
* Added two new attached attributes called GridDefinitions and RowColumns
* You can use tilde (~) as an alternative to Auto
* Space as an alternative to comma (,)
* Slash (/) to separate Rows and Columns

i.e  
**GridDefinitions="~ \* / \* \*"**  
-- This will create 2 rows and 2 columns. The height of the first Row is set to Auto and the second is set to Star. Two new columns are set to Star. Note: Doesn't matter if you added spaces before and after the Slash. So it can be ="~ \*/\* \*"  
**GridDefinitions="~ ~/\*2 \*"**  
-- This is another example  
**GridDefinitions="/\*2 \*"**  
-- Notice the slash as the first chracter. This will create a column instead of a row.  
**GridDefinitions="\*2 \*/"**  or **GridDefinitions="\*2 \*"**  
-- Notice the slash at the end or the other doesn't have it? This will create rows only!  
**GridDefinitions="Auto ~ \*,\*"**  
-- This will create four rows. First and second row is set to Auto. Third and Forth are set to Star  
**RowColumn="0/1"**  
-- Will set the current element in the first row of the grid and in second column of the grid.  
**RowColumn="0 2/1"**  
-- Will set the current element in the first row of the grid spanning upto the second and then it will place the element in the second column.

## 1.1
* Added support for Absolute values. Originally accepting Auto * and n# only. So you can use Auto * n* and n now.  
i.e RowDefinitions="Auto,\*,3*,50"

## 1.0
* Implementation of RowDefinitions and ColumnDefinitions attached attributes

DEV Community: Jayson Ragasa

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