Combining text with data

Question

I have a string like follows.

string someInfo = string.Format("First Name = {0}, Last Name = {1}",firstName, lastName);

This string need to be displayed in application using TextBlock. The first and last names are coming from database so I would like to using data bindings for this. Is it possible to do?

Answer 1

Yes, its possible.

However, because you have multiple bindings, you need to bind to a MultiBinding ( MSDN ).

Your binding looks like:

  <TextBlock.Text>
    <MultiBinding Converter="{StaticResource NameConverter}">
      <Binding Path="FirstName"/>
      <Binding Path="LastName"/>
    </MultiBinding>
  </TextBlock.Text>

With a MultiValueConverter :

public class NameConverter : IMultiValueConverter
{
    public object Convert(object[] values, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
    {
        return string.Format("First Name = {0}, Last Name = {1}", values[0], values[1]);
    }
    public objct ConvertBack(...)
    {
        return Binding.DoNothing;
    }
}

Answer 2

I don't know whether you use the MVVM pattern. if you do just define a property in your ViewModel

public string Someinfo
{
 get { return string.Format("First Name = {0}, Last Name = {1}",firstName, lastName);}
}

and then use a Binding in your Xaml

<TextBlock Text={Binding Path Someinfo} />

I would say this is 'cleaner' than doing that in your xaml.

Answer 3

yes it possible

public  string SomeInfo { get; set; }
        public MainWindow()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            SomeInfo = GetFirstNameAndLastNameFromDataBase();
            DataContext = this;
        }

        private string GetFirstNameAndLastNameFromDataBase()
        {
            string firstName = "firstName";
            string lastName = "lastName";

            return string.Format("First Name = {0}, Last Name = {1}", firstName, lastName);
        }



<Window x:Class="BindingToTextBlock.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        Title="MainWindow" Height="350" Width="525">
    <Grid>
        <TextBlock Text="{Binding SomeInfo, Mode=TwoWay, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged}"></TextBlock>
    </Grid>
</Window>