.net - DataBind and Postback

Question

This is a general how does DataBind work questions...

I have a simple page with a GridView that is bound (in the aspx code) to an ObjectDataSource.

I can look in the Select() function called by the ObjectDataSource to see that it is called on the initial load and on every post back. I have some logic that happens on post backs that will affect the GridView's data, and I want to call GridView.DataBind() later on in the post back, after I've made some changes.

Is there a way to prevent the automatic rebinding that happens on each post back? Does this mean I can't use an ObjectDataSource for this control?

Answer 1

You're correct in that the fine grained control you're looking for is not possible and requires the code behind. ASP.NET's data source objects are nothing but a pain in the a**. You'll find that as you use them you'll get situations like this cropping up again and again.

Some of the problems you'll find are:

• Not strongly typed
• Inflexible (as you've noted)
• Muddy up the presentation code

I've taken to doing all data access in the code behind and haven't looked back.