Classes Used in .NET Framework Forms
The following tables list the classes commonly used for .NET Framework Windows Forms applications, categorized into the base classes, control classes, component classes, and dialog box classes.
To enter the .NET Framework documentation and find a more comprehensive listing, see the System.Windows.Forms namespace.
The Base Classes
The following table lists and describes the main Windows Forms classes in the System.Windows.Forms namespace.
Class |
Description |
|---|---|
Defines the base class for controls, which are components with visual representation. Provides the base functionality for all controls that are displayed on a Form. |
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Represents a normal window, modeless window, dialog box, Multiple Document Interface (MDI) client, or MDI parent window. Forms make up an application's user interface. |
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Provides an empty control that can be used to create other controls or create a custom control that is a composite of other controls. |
Control Classes
The following table lists and describes a sampling of the System.Windows.Forms namespace's control classes. You can use these controls to create rich user interfaces.
Class |
Description |
|---|---|
Data-entry control. Represents a Windows text-box control. |
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Data-entry control. Represents a Windows combo-box control. |
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Data-display control. Represents a standard Windows label. |
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Data-display control. Represents a Windows list-view control, which displays a collection of items that can be displayed using one of four different views. |
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Command-button control. Represents a Windows button control. |
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Command-button control. Provides a container for Windows toolbar objects. |
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Designer control. Provides a user interface for browsing the properties of an object. |
Component Classes
In addition to controls, the System.Windows.Forms namespace provides other classes that do not derive from the Control class but still provide visual features to a Windows-based application. The following table shows some of the available component classes.
Class |
Description |
|---|---|
Data-display component. Represents a small rectangular pop-up window that displays a brief description of a control's purpose when the user rests the pointer on the control. |
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Data-display component. Provides a user interface for indicating that a control on a form has an error associated with it. |
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Menu component. Provides basic functionality for the ContextMenuStrip control. |
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Menu component. Represents a shortcut menu. |
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Help component. Encapsulates the HTML Help 1.0 engine. |
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Help component. Provides pop-up or online Help for controls. |
Dialog Box Classes
Windows provides a number of common dialog boxes that you can use to give your application a consistent user interface when performing tasks such as opening and saving files, manipulating the font or text color, or printing. The following table lists some of the commonly used classes used for reading from and writing to files with streams.
Class |
Description |
|---|---|
Provides the functionality to display a dialog box that enables the user to browse to and enter the name of a file to open or save. |
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Provides the functionality to display a dialog box that enables the user to browse to and enter the name of a file to open or save. |
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Displays a dialog box to change elements of the font used by your application |
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Displays a dialog box that enables the user to control aspects of printing documents. |
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Displays a dialog box that enables the user to control aspects of printing documents. |
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Displays a message box that can display and retrieve data from the user. |
See Also
Concepts
Windows Forms Application Concepts in Visual Basic
Windows Forms Application Basics
Overview of Windows-based Applications