Forcing client ids in ASP.NET

Question

I know that in the next version of ASP.NET we\'ll finally be able to set the clientids on System.Web controls without the framework doing it for us in a quasi-intelligent wa

Answer 1

There is another solution not mentioned which is to subclass the ASP.NET controls and force the IDs:

public class MyCheckBox : CheckBox
{
    public string ForcedId { get;set; }

    public override string ID
    {
        get
        {
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(ForcedId))
                return ForcedId;
            else
                return base.ID;
        }
        set
        {
            base.ID = value;
        }
    }

    public override string ClientID
    {
        get
        {
            return ID;
        }
    }
}

Then use this where you know the IDs will never clash:

If you are using lists you will need to write a ListControlAdapter, and also adapters for each type of list you're using (dropdown,checkbox,radiobutton,listbox). Alternatively cross your legs and wait for .NET 4.0.