Indeterminate Mode

A feature that displays an ongoing, infinite progress animation when a definitive progress value is not available.

Overview

The Indeterminate Mode feature allows the SiticoneRadialProgressBar to indicate continuous activity without specifying an exact progress value. This is particularly useful for operations where progress cannot be measured, such as loading or processing tasks. When enabled, the control animates the progress arc in a looping fashion, giving users visual feedback that an operation is in progress.

Sections

Key Points

Aspect

Description

Example/Notes

Indeterminate

When set to true, the control displays an infinite progress animation, ignoring the static progress value.

progressBar.Indeterminate = true;

AnimationSpeed

Controls the speed of the indeterminate animation, ensuring smooth and continuous motion.

progressBar.AnimationSpeed = 4;

Visual Feedback

Provides clear visual feedback during operations where progress cannot be quantified, enhancing user perception.

Indeterminate mode overrides the normal text and value display.

Best Practices

Recommendation

Rationale

Code Example

Enable Indeterminate mode only when necessary

Use this mode only for operations without a measurable progress to avoid confusing users.

csharp progressBar.Indeterminate = true; 

Set appropriate AnimationSpeed for smooth transitions

A lower AnimationSpeed value (in milliseconds) creates a fluid and visually appealing animation.

csharp progressBar.AnimationSpeed = 4; 

Clearly signal state transitions

Switch from indeterminate to a measurable state as soon as progress can be quantified.

csharp // End indeterminate mode when progress is determined progressBar.Indeterminate = false; progressBar.Value = 100; 

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall

Explanation

How to Avoid

Leaving the control in indeterminate mode indefinitely

Users may think the operation is stuck if the mode never switches to a specific progress value.

Ensure to disable indeterminate mode once the process is complete by setting Indeterminate to false.

Confusing users by displaying both indeterminate and static values

Mixing indeterminate animations with a numeric progress value can be misleading.

Rely on indeterminate mode exclusively when precise progress measurement is unavailable.

Poorly configured AnimationSpeed leading to jittery animations

Too high or too low a value for AnimationSpeed can make the animation appear choppy or too slow.

Test and adjust the AnimationSpeed for the best visual experience under different system loads.

Usage Scenarios

Scenario

How Indeterminate Mode Helps

Sample Code Example

Loading Data

When retrieving data from a database or a remote service where the duration is unpredictable.

csharp // Set the progress bar to indeterminate while data is loading progressBar.Indeterminate = true; // Once data is loaded: progressBar.Indeterminate = false; progressBar.Value = 100; 

Processing Operations

For tasks like file processing or network operations where progress cannot be quantified.

csharp // Display continuous activity during a processing operation progressBar.Indeterminate = true; // On process completion: progressBar.Indeterminate = false; 

System Wait States

Indicate that the system is busy (e.g., during a long computation) without providing an exact progress indicator.

csharp progressBar.Indeterminate = true; // End indeterminate mode when computation is complete 

Code Examples and Integration Demos

Example 1: Basic Indeterminate Progress

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

public class IndeterminateBasicForm : Form
{
    public IndeterminateBasicForm()
    {
        var progressBar = new SiticoneRadialProgressBar
        {
            Size = new Size(160, 160),
            Location = new Point(20, 20),
            TextFormat = "{0}%", // This will be hidden when indeterminate
            AnimationSpeed = 4,
            // Enable indeterminate mode for continuous animation
            Indeterminate = true
        };

        this.Controls.Add(progressBar);

        // Simulate a long-running process that completes after 5 seconds
        Timer processTimer = new Timer { Interval = 5000 };
        processTimer.Tick += (s, e) =>
        {
            progressBar.Indeterminate = false;
            progressBar.Value = 100;
            processTimer.Stop();
        };
        processTimer.Start();
    }

    [STAThread]
    static void Main()
    {
        Application.EnableVisualStyles();
        Application.Run(new IndeterminateBasicForm());
    }
}

Example 2: Switching from Indeterminate to Determinate

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

public class IndeterminateSwitchForm : Form
{
    public IndeterminateSwitchForm()
    {
        var progressBar = new SiticoneRadialProgressBar
        {
            Size = new Size(180, 180),
            Location = new Point(30, 30),
            Minimum = 0,
            Maximum = 100,
            Value = 0,
            TextFormat = "{0}%",
            AnimationSpeed = 4,
            // Start in indeterminate mode
            Indeterminate = true
        };

        this.Controls.Add(progressBar);

        // Timer to simulate a delay before progress can be measured
        Timer switchTimer = new Timer { Interval = 3000 };
        switchTimer.Tick += (s, e) =>
        {
            // Once the process starts providing measurable progress, disable indeterminate mode
            progressBar.Indeterminate = false;
            // Simulate measurable progress updates
            Timer updateTimer = new Timer { Interval = 100 };
            updateTimer.Tick += (sender, args) =>
            {
                if (progressBar.Value < progressBar.Maximum)
                {
                    progressBar.Value += 3;
                }
                else
                {
                    updateTimer.Stop();
                }
            };
            updateTimer.Start();

            switchTimer.Stop();
        };
        switchTimer.Start();
    }

    [STAThread]
    static void Main()
    {
        Application.EnableVisualStyles();
        Application.Run(new IndeterminateSwitchForm());
    }
}

Review

Review Aspect

Discussion

Recommendations

Clarity of Feedback

Indeterminate mode provides clear feedback during uncertain operations, improving user trust.

Clearly signal the start and end of indeterminate mode transitions.

Smoothness of Animation

A well-configured AnimationSpeed ensures the continuous animation remains smooth and engaging.

Test on different systems to ensure consistency and adjust AnimationSpeed as needed.

Ease of Integration

The property-based approach makes it simple to toggle indeterminate mode on and off during runtime.

Follow best practices for state transitions to prevent user confusion.

Summary

The Indeterminate Mode feature is ideal for scenarios where progress cannot be measured precisely, such as during data loading or lengthy processing operations. By enabling the Indeterminate property, developers can provide users with continuous visual feedback through an animated progress arc. This documentation, including code examples and best practices, is designed to help you seamlessly integrate indeterminate behavior into your .NET WinForms applications using the SiticoneRadialProgressBar control.

Additional Useful Sections

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue

Potential Cause

Suggested Resolution

Animation remains active even after completion

The Indeterminate property might not be properly reset after the operation.

Ensure that you explicitly set Indeterminate = false and update the Value once the process is done.

Indeterminate animation appears choppy

AnimationSpeed is not optimized for the target system's performance.

Test and adjust the AnimationSpeed to achieve a fluid animation without excessive resource usage.

Confusing UI due to mixed modes

Displaying static progress values alongside indeterminate animations.

Use indeterminate mode exclusively during uncertain operations, then switch to determinate mode once available.

FAQs

Question

Answer

When should I use indeterminate mode?

Use indeterminate mode when the progress cannot be quantified, such as during initial loading or processing delays.

Can I switch between indeterminate and determinate modes?

Yes, simply set the Indeterminate property to false and update the Value once a measurable progress state is available.

Does indeterminate mode display any progress text?

Typically, indeterminate mode hides the progress text to avoid misleading information, but you can customize the TextFormat if needed.

This comprehensive documentation for the Indeterminate Mode feature provides you with the necessary insights, best practices, and code examples to effectively integrate continuous progress animations into the SiticoneRadialProgressBar control, enhancing user experience in scenarios where precise progress measurement is not possible.

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Last updated 19 days ago