Context Menu Integration

This feature provides an integrated context menu for the control, enabling users to quickly access common actions such as resetting the splitter position, locking the splitter, toggling panel, etc.

Overview

The Context Menu Integration feature of the SiticoneSplitContainer control offers a built-in context menu that surfaces frequently used commands directly on the splitter. Developers can leverage this menu to provide users with convenient, mouse-driven access to control actions without additional coding. The context menu is dynamically updated and supports accessibility features, ensuring consistency with the overall application design.

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Key Points

Aspect	Description
Built-in Commands	Predefined commands include Reset Position, Lock Splitter, Toggle Panel Collapse, Toggle Highlight, Swap Panels, and Toggle Orientation.
Dynamic Updating	The context menu items update dynamically based on the control state (e.g., locking status or panel collapse state).
Accessibility Support	Each menu item is assigned appropriate accessible roles and names to assist users who rely on assistive technologies.
Customization Flexibility	Developers can extend or modify the context menu items as needed to tailor the control's functionality to their application requirements.

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Best Practices

Recommendation	Details
Initialize Early	Set up the context menu during control initialization to ensure that all features are immediately available when the control is rendered.
Reflect Control State	Ensure that menu items correctly reflect the control's state (e.g., checked state for locking or highlighting) for a consistent user experience.
Leverage Accessibility Attributes	Set accessible names and roles for each menu item to make the context menu usable for screen readers and other assistive devices.
Avoid Redundant Options	Tailor the context menu to include only actions that are relevant to the current application scenario to prevent clutter.

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Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Explanation	Mitigation Strategy
Inconsistent State Reflection	Menu items may not always update to reflect the current state (e.g., lock state) if not handled properly.	Ensure that event handlers update the menu item states (e.g., check/uncheck) dynamically.
Overcomplicating the Menu	Including too many commands can overwhelm users and complicate navigation.	Keep the context menu focused on core, frequently used actions and allow for extensions only as needed.
Ignoring Mouse Position Validation	Displaying the context menu when the mouse is not over the splitter can confuse users.	Use methods like IsSplitterInBounds to restrict context menu activation to valid areas.

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Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description	Example Use Case
Quick Reset of Splitter Position	Users right-click on the splitter to quickly reset its position to a default value.	In a settings window, a user can right-click to realign panels evenly without navigating through menus.
Toggling Splitter Lock and Highlight	Provide fast access to lock the splitter or toggle highlight effects based on user preference.	In an interactive dashboard, users can secure the splitter's position during configuration adjustments.
Swapping Panels or Changing Orientation	Allow users to rearrange panels or switch between horizontal and vertical layouts through the context menu.	In a multi-panel application, users can quickly swap content or change layout orientation via the menu.

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Code Examples

1. Setting Up the Context Menu

This example demonstrates how to initialize the built-in context menu and subscribe to its events.

public class ContextMenuForm : Form
{
    private SiticoneSplitContainer splitContainer;

    public ContextMenuForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        splitContainer = new SiticoneSplitContainer
        {
            Dock = DockStyle.Fill
        };

        // The control initializes the context menu internally, but you can subscribe to its events
        splitContainer.SplitterContextMenuOpened += (sender, e) =>
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Context menu has been opened.");
        };

        this.Controls.Add(splitContainer);
    }
}

2. Customizing Context Menu Behavior

This example illustrates how to override or extend the default context menu behavior by modifying menu item properties.

public class CustomContextMenuForm : Form
{
    private SiticoneSplitContainer splitContainer;

    public CustomContextMenuForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        splitContainer = new SiticoneSplitContainer
        {
            Dock = DockStyle.Fill
        };

        // After the context menu is initialized, customize the "Lock Splitter" menu item
        foreach (ToolStripItem item in splitContainer.ContextMenuStrip.Items)
        {
            if (item is ToolStripMenuItem menuItem && menuItem.Text == "Lock Splitter")
            {
                // Change the display text or add an icon
                menuItem.Text = "Lock/Unlock Splitter";
                menuItem.Image = Image.FromFile("path_to_lock_icon.png");
            }
        }

        this.Controls.Add(splitContainer);
    }
}

3. Handling Context Menu Actions

This example shows how to integrate the context menu actions with additional UI logic.

public class ContextMenuActionForm : Form
{
    private SiticoneSplitContainer splitContainer;
    private Label actionStatusLabel;

    public ContextMenuActionForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        splitContainer = new SiticoneSplitContainer
        {
            Dock = DockStyle.Fill
        };

        actionStatusLabel = new Label
        {
            Dock = DockStyle.Bottom,
            Height = 30,
            TextAlign = ContentAlignment.MiddleCenter,
            Text = "Right-click the splitter for options."
        };

        // Handle context menu opening to update the status label
        splitContainer.SplitterContextMenuOpened += (sender, e) =>
        {
            actionStatusLabel.Text = "Context menu opened.";
        };

        this.Controls.Add(splitContainer);
        this.Controls.Add(actionStatusLabel);
    }
}

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Review

Aspect	Details
Integration Ease	The built-in context menu is initialized automatically, requiring minimal setup, with additional customization possible through exposed properties.
State Consistency	Dynamic updating of menu items ensures that the context menu always reflects the current state of the control, enhancing user confidence and ease of use.
User Convenience	Providing quick access to common actions via right-click improves user efficiency and interaction, especially in complex UI scenarios.

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Summary

The Context Menu Integration feature in the SiticoneSplitContainer control delivers a ready-to-use, customizable context menu that enhances user interactions by providing immediate access to key splitter actions. By leveraging dynamic updates, accessibility support, and flexible customization options, developers can ensure that users have a streamlined and intuitive experience when interacting with the control.

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Integration Steps

Step	Action
Step 1	Instantiate the SiticoneSplitContainer and add it to your form with appropriate layout settings.
Step 2	Ensure the built-in context menu is enabled (this is done automatically) and subscribe to SplitterContextMenuOpened for custom logic.
Step 3	Customize the context menu items if needed, such as changing display text or icons, to better align with your application’s design.
Step 4	Test the context menu activation by right-clicking on the splitter to confirm that menu items update and reflect the control's state correctly.
Step 5	Extend the context menu actions by subscribing to the corresponding events or integrating additional UI feedback, as necessary.

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Additional Resources

Resource	Description	Example Link
.NET Context Menu Documentation	Detailed information on using ContextMenuStrip in .NET WinForms, useful for customizing menus.	https://docs.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.windows.forms.contextmenustrip
WinForms UI Customization	Tutorials and best practices for designing intuitive and accessible user interfaces in WinForms.	(Link to a recommended tutorial or blog post)

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By following this comprehensive documentation and utilizing the provided code examples, developers can effectively integrate and customize the context menu of the SiticoneSplitContainer control. This ensures that common actions are easily accessible to users, enhancing both functionality and overall user experience in WinForms applications.