Question

I’m working through examples in a book trying to learn ASP.NET, and I’ve stumbled on something strange in there. First of all, if I type it as it’s written in the book, VS gives me errors. This is the code as it’s written in the book:

    <asp:DataList ID="employeesList" runat="server">
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:Literal ID="extraDetailsLiteral" runat="server" EnableViewState="false" />
        Name: <strong><%#Eval("Name") %></strong><br />
        Username: <strong><%#Eval("Username") %></strong><br />
        <asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" Text=<%#"View more details about " + Eval("Name")%> 
            CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" 
            CommandArgument=<%#Eval("EmployeeID")%> />
    </ItemTemplate>
    <SeparatorTemplate>
        <hr />
    </SeparatorTemplate>
</asp:DataList>

So, I’ve plucked at it for a while, and came up with this solution which actually compiles:

    <asp:DataList ID="employeesList" runat="server" onitemcommand="employeesList_ItemCommand">
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:Literal ID="extraDetailsLiteral" runat="server" EnableViewState="false" />
        Name: <strong><%#Eval("Name") %></strong><br />
        Username: <strong><%#Eval("Username") %></strong><br />
        <asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" Text='View more details about <%# Eval("Name") %>' 
            CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" CommandArgument='<%Eval("EmployeeID") %>' />
    </ItemTemplate>
    <SeparatorTemplate>
        <hr />
    </SeparatorTemplate>
</asp:DataList>

Notice that I’ve also added the OnItemCommand in the asp:DataList tag, so now I’m able to fire the event as expected.

However, results in the browser isn’t what I expect; the Name and Username listed in strong text show just fine, but the Literal control that should show extra details (the EmployeeID field) and the Name field inside the LinkButton won’t show their values in the page:

not showing as expected http://lh6.ggpht.com/_x84bQLYH57A/SgxzygartcI/AAAAAAAAAIY/nhT-6RUJa6o/s144/EmployeeDirectory_notshowing.jpg

It should say “EmployeeID: 1” and “View more details about Zak Ruvalcaba”

I guess it’s the Eval function that’s not working when inside another control, can anyone help me out?

Answer 1

Change the LinkButton as :

<asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" 
     Text='<%# Eval("Name", "View more details about {0}") %>' 
     CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" 
     CommandArgument='<%# Eval("EmployeeID") %>' />

Sorry I confused the order of parameters. I updated my answer. Format must be the second parameter.