c# - How do I call paint event?

Question

My program draws text on its panel,but if I'd like to remove the text I have to repaint.

How do I call(raise) the paint event by hand?

Answer 1

In a method of your Form or Control, you have 3 choices:

this.Invalidate();  // request a delayed Repaint by the normal MessageLoop system    
this.Update();      // forces Repaint of invalidated area 
this.Refresh();     // Combines Invalidate() and Update()

Normally, you would just call Invalidate() and let the system combine that with other Screen updates. If you're in a hurry you should call Refresh() but then you run the risk that it will be repainted several times consecutively because of other controls (especially the Parent) Invalidating.

The normal way Windows (Win32 and WinForms.Net) handles this is to wait for the MessageQueue to run empty and then process all invalidated screen areas. That is efficient because when something changes that usually cascades into other things (controls) changing as well.

The most common scenario for Update() is when you change a property (say, label1.Text, which will invalidate the Label) in a for-loop and that loop is temporarily blocking the Message-Loop. Whenever you use it, you should ask yourself if you shouldn't be using a Thread instead. But the answer is't always Yes.