URL Display and Core Functionality

This feature provides the essential capability to set, display, and validate URLs while automatically correcting common protocol typos and raising events during URL lifecycle changes.

Overview

The URL Display & Core Functionality feature allows developers to assign a URL string to the control, which is then automatically processed and displayed with proper formatting. It fires events when the URL is set, copied, or clicked and includes built-in validation and correction mechanisms to ensure consistency. This feature is at the heart of the control and integrates seamlessly with other functionalities like the copy action and URL click-to-open behavior.

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Key Points

Item	Description	Example / Notes
Url Property	Represents the primary URL that is displayed and processed by the control.	Assign a URL string such as "https://www.example.com"
UrlSet Event	Occurs when a new URL is assigned, allowing the developer to take further action after a URL change.	Used to trigger logging or UI updates
UrlCopied Event	Fired when the URL is successfully copied to the clipboard, providing feedback or additional processing.	Can be used to update user notifications
CopyButtonClicked	Raised when the copy button is clicked, signaling that a copy action was initiated.	Useful for analytics tracking of copy actions
UrlClicked Event	Occurs when the URL text is clicked; with EnableUrlClick set to true, this opens the URL in the default browser.	Can be used to log URL click activities
BeforeUrlOpen Event	Triggered just before the URL is opened, allowing cancellation of the URL open action if needed.	Use to add custom validation or security checks

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Code Samples

Setting the URL

Below is an example of how to assign a URL to the control and handle the UrlSet event:

// Create the control instance
SiticoneCopyUrl copyUrlControl = new SiticoneCopyUrl();

// Assign a URL value
copyUrlControl.Url = "htps://www.example.com";  // Notice the typo 'htps:' which will be corrected to 'https://'

// Subscribe to the UrlSet event
copyUrlControl.UrlSet += (sender, args) =>
{
    Console.WriteLine("URL has been set to: " + args.Url);
};

// Add the control to the form
this.Controls.Add(copyUrlControl);

Handling URL Copy and Click Events

The following code demonstrates how to listen for URL copy and click events:

// Subscribe to the UrlCopied event
copyUrlControl.UrlCopied += (sender, args) =>
{
    MessageBox.Show("URL copied: " + args.Url);
};

// Subscribe to the CopyButtonClicked event
copyUrlControl.CopyButtonClicked += (sender, args) =>
{
    Console.WriteLine("Copy button clicked for URL: " + args.Url);
};

// Subscribe to the UrlClicked event to open the URL
copyUrlControl.UrlClicked += (sender, args) =>
{
    Console.WriteLine("URL was clicked: " + args.Url);
};

// Subscribe to the BeforeUrlOpen event to validate or cancel the open action
copyUrlControl.BeforeUrlOpen += (sender, args) =>
{
    if (args.Url.Contains("restricted"))
    {
        args.Cancel = true;
        MessageBox.Show("This URL is not allowed.");
    }
};

Integrating with the Form

Integrate the control into your form with a complete example:

public partial class MainForm : Form
{
    public MainForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();

        SiticoneCopyUrl copyUrlControl = new SiticoneCopyUrl
        {
            Location = new Point(20, 20),
            Size = new Size(300, 40),
            Url = "http://example.com"
        };

        // Subscribe to events
        copyUrlControl.UrlSet += CopyUrlControl_UrlSet;
        copyUrlControl.UrlCopied += CopyUrlControl_UrlCopied;
        copyUrlControl.UrlClicked += CopyUrlControl_UrlClicked;
        copyUrlControl.BeforeUrlOpen += CopyUrlControl_BeforeUrlOpen;

        this.Controls.Add(copyUrlControl);
    }

    private void CopyUrlControl_UrlSet(object sender, UrlEventArgs e)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("URL set to: " + e.Url);
    }

    private void CopyUrlControl_UrlCopied(object sender, UrlEventArgs e)
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Copied URL: " + e.Url);
    }

    private void CopyUrlControl_UrlClicked(object sender, UrlEventArgs e)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("URL clicked: " + e.Url);
    }

    private void CopyUrlControl_BeforeUrlOpen(object sender, CancelUrlEventArgs e)
    {
        // Optionally cancel URL opening
        if (e.Url.Contains("forbidden"))
        {
            e.Cancel = true;
            MessageBox.Show("This URL is not allowed to open.");
        }
    }
}

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Best Practices

Practice	Description	Example / Notes
Validate URLs	Ensure the URL string is well-formed before setting it, even though the control performs automatic corrections.	Pre-validate user input to avoid unexpected corrections
Subscribe to Events	Always subscribe to the provided events to monitor changes and user interactions with the URL, enhancing user feedback and analytics.	Utilize UrlSet and UrlCopied events for logging purposes
Secure URL Opening	Use the BeforeUrlOpen event to validate and, if necessary, cancel opening unsafe or restricted URLs.	Implement custom security checks in the event handler

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Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Description	How to Avoid
Ignoring Event Subscriptions	Failing to subscribe to events may result in missing critical updates on URL changes or user interactions.	Ensure that events like UrlSet and UrlCopied are handled
Setting an Invalid URL	Passing a null or improperly formatted URL may cause unexpected behavior despite automatic corrections.	Validate URLs before assignment and test edge cases
Overriding URL Correction Logic	Custom URL corrections may conflict with the control's built-in correction mechanism.	Use the built-in correction unless custom logic is absolutely necessary

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Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description	Example / Notes
Simple URL Display	Display a URL with automatic protocol correction and standard formatting.	Assign a URL like "example.com" and let the control correct it
URL Copying Feedback	Provide user feedback when a URL is copied using event handlers and notification popups.	Use UrlCopied event to trigger a user notification
Secure URL Opening	Validate URLs before opening them, ensuring restricted URLs are not navigated to by mistake.	Use the BeforeUrlOpen event to check for specific keywords

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Real Life Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description	Example / Notes
Corporate Intranet Applications	Display and share internal URLs with built-in copy and click-to-open functionality, ensuring secure access.	Validate internal URLs and restrict external ones via BeforeUrlOpen event
Marketing Campaign Landing Pages	Allow users to copy promotional URLs effortlessly, while providing instant feedback on copy actions.	Use UrlCopied and CopyButtonClicked events for real-time analytics
Customer Support Portals	Enable quick sharing of support articles or troubleshooting guides by allowing URL copying and direct click-to-open actions.	Leverage URL events to integrate with support ticket systems

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Troubleshooting Tips

Tip	Description	Example / Notes
Check Event Subscriptions	Ensure that your event handlers for UrlSet, UrlCopied, and BeforeUrlOpen are properly wired.	Verify event subscription in the form's constructor or Load event
Validate URL Input	Always validate the URL input if it comes from user data; even though corrections occur automatically, extra validation avoids misinterpretation.	Pre-check user input before assignment
Debug URL Correction	Use logging within the UrlSet event handler to confirm the processed URL is correct.	Add Console.WriteLine statements for debugging

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Review

Aspect	Feedback	Example / Notes
Functionality	Provides a robust, self-correcting URL display mechanism with comprehensive event support.	Automatic protocol corrections reduce user error.
Extensibility	Events allow developers to integrate additional functionality (such as logging and security checks) easily.	Custom handling of BeforeUrlOpen enables secure usage.
User Experience	Improves user interaction by offering immediate visual feedback upon URL changes and copy actions.	Integrated notifications enhance the user experience.

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Summary

Summary Aspect	Details	Example / Notes
Core Functionality	The feature automatically processes and displays URLs, correcting common protocol mistakes.	Example: "htps://example.com" becomes "https://example.com"
Event Driven	The control provides several events (UrlSet, UrlCopied, CopyButtonClicked, UrlClicked, BeforeUrlOpen) for extended interaction handling.	Useful for integrating custom behaviors and security measures
Ease of Integration	With simple property assignments and event subscriptions, developers can quickly integrate URL display functionality.	Integration code samples demonstrate quick setup and event wiring

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Additional Sections

Integration Checklist

Checklist Item	Description	Example / Notes
URL Assignment	Ensure a valid URL is assigned to the control.	copyUrlControl.Url = "http://yoururl.com";
Event Subscriptions	Subscribe to necessary events for logging, analytics, or UI updates.	Wire up events in the form's constructor.
Validation and Security	Utilize the BeforeUrlOpen event to filter out unsafe URLs.	Implement custom logic in the event handler.

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Final Notes

This documentation for the URL Display & Core Functionality feature is designed to help developers integrate and extend the SiticoneCopyUrl control seamlessly. The extensive examples, tables, and best practices should provide a clear pathway to achieving robust URL handling in WinForms applications.

By following the provided guidelines and code samples, developers can ensure that URL processing, event handling, and user interaction within the control are both efficient and secure.