SharePoint 2007: The Definitive Guide

Chapter 25. Using Server-Side and Client-Side Web Parts

Introduction

Previous chapters introduced different types of SharePoint creations, including webs and web templates, Web Parts, lists, and basic customization of Web Part pages. This chapter develops the wonderful ecosystem of Web Parts. There are essentially two distinct reasons for the initial popularity of SharePoint Team Services (STS), the original precursor of Windows SharePoint Services (WSS). The first is the concept of lists and the second is Web Parts. Both features enabled power users to quickly assemble simple web-based applications without the need to engage expensive developer services.

Web Parts offer reuse on a scale that goes beyond traditional components and, as such, carry the promise of good return on investment for companies. Web Parts have grown up since the early days, to the point that they have fully influenced the ASP.NET platform. They are a major reason why the SharePoint platform continues to grow at such an incredible pace. Not only is the third-party Web Part market growing strong due to the enormous popularity of WSS 2.0 but, now that Web Parts are a part of ASP.NET 2.0, availability of third-party products and solutions will undoubtedly explode. A number of Web Parts have already been introduced in Chapter 8. In this chapter, we address Web Parts in a slightly different way. In addition to introducing the remaining Web Parts, we will look at the details of a Web Part and how to manage, create, ...