design pattern for related inputs
- by curiousMo
My question is a design question :
let's say i have a data entry web page with 4 drop down lists, each depending on the previous one, and a bunch of text boxes.
ddlCountry (DropDownList)
ddlState (DropDownList)
ddlCity (DropDownList)
ddlBoro (DropDownList)
txtAddress (TxtBox)
txtZipcode(TxtBox)
and an object that represents a datarow with a value for each:
countrySeqid
stateSeqid
citySeqid
boroSeqid
address
zipCode
naturally the country, state, city and boro values will be values of primary keys of some lookup tables.
when the user chooses to edits that record, i would load it from database and load it into the page.
the issue that I have is how to streamline loading the DropDownLists.
i have some code that would grab the object,look thru its values and move them to their corresponding input controls in one shot. but in this case i will have to load the ddlCountry with possible values, then assign values, then do the same thing for the rest of the ddls.
I guess i am looking for an elegant solution.
i am using asp.net, but i think it is irrelevant to the question. i am looking more into a design pattern.