Binaryworld - Adding events dynamically in a Windows Form ... [ VB.net -> WinForms ]

The new AddHandler statement makes it possible to attach event dynamically, that is without having to bind them via static code based on the Handles keyword. This keyword is also useful to have all the controls on a form share the same event procedure.

For example, say that you want to change the background of all textbox controls on the form when the focus enters in them, and restore the original color when the focus leaves them. Here's the code code that does the trick:

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Sub SetupEventHandlers()
  Dim ctrl As Control
  For Each ctrl In Me.Controls
    If TypeOf ctrl Is TextBox Then
      AddHandler ctrl.GotFocus, AddressOf Controls_GotFocus
      AddHandler ctrl.LostFocus, AddressOf Controls_LostFocus
    End If
  Next
End Sub

Private Sub Controls_GotFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
  ByVal e As System.EventArgs)
  Dim ctrl As Control = CType(sender, Control)
  ' In a real application you should use system-defined colors.
  ctrl.BackColor = Color.Yellow
End Sub

Private Sub Controls_LostFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
  ByVal e As System.EventArgs)
  Dim ctrl As Control = CType(sender, Control)
  ' In a real application you should use system-defined colors.
  ctrl.BackColor = Color.White
End Sub