simple mutli-tiers and layered forms

[medicenpringles]

i have two questions that are sort of off topic.

i have an application with several forms. they are all the same size, and basically what i do with them is cover one with the other when controls are clicked. so say when i click "manager mode" on the main form, it covers the current form with a new one of the same size, like the form just changed around. it's like you would see in an install application when you click Next.

now my question: is there any advantage to showing/hiding these forms as opposed to programmatically removing and creating controls?


on an off note, i searched for a faq on "multi-tierd applications" and didn't find anything. can someone tell me where i can find an intoduction to what these are?

Main Language: Visual Basic .NET
Development Enviroment: Visual Studio .NET 2003

 

[RiverGuy]

You can turn your forms into user controls and just add them and remove them to a base form when your navigation buttons are clicked.

 

[medicenpringles]

that's what i mean. is there any advantage to doing that as opposed to layering the forms with Show(), Close(), and Hide()?

Main Language: Visual Basic .NET
Development Enviroment: Visual Studio .NET 2003

 

[RiverGuy]

I'm not really sure if you would call it an advantage. I would suggest either using the user controls, or making a base form and have your other forms inherit off of that--so that you never recode the functionality to move next, previous, help, etc.