String Replace with HTML

[gi11ies]

Im creating a simple forum just now that runs of an access datbase, I have the bare bones of the whole thing functioning, though Im wondering how I use the Replace command to post html into the datagrid.

For example if a user enters a web address - ie

http://www.website.com

... I insert it into the database as part of the text for a posting as [link]www.website.com[/url]

ie

blah blah blah blah [link]www.website.com[/url] blah blah blah blah blab blah blah.

I already use the Replace command within the datagrid to insert '<br>' when I display the code on the page with.

<asp:label text='<%#Replace(Databinder.Eval(Container.DataItem,"thread_text").tostring(), VbCrLf, "<br />")%>' ID="lblText" runat="server"/>

Im wondering how do I, or if I can add additional parameters to the replace command Replace command for converting my [link]www.website.com[/url] to < a href='

http://www.website.com'>http://www.website.com</a>

Im also wondering how I do the same for images - ie give url address for an image

Hope Im making sense? Can I not do this with a datagrid, and have to use DataList instead or something else?

Any help would be great.

Gillies

 

[checkai]

Is it just me, or is this ironic that you'd be asking it at this web site?

"...we both know I'm training to become a cagefighter...see what happens if you try 'n hit me..."

 

[gi11ies]

Yeah maybe ironic its just something VERY basic Im working on in my spare time, its for a fishing club.

Gillies

 

[bassguy]

yes you could, but I would suggest looking for some open source forum software and save yourself the effort.

not sure if dotnetnuke (

http://www.dotnetnuke.com)

has forums but the software is pretty cool adn it is free

bassguy

 

[BoulderBum]

The best open source forum for ASP.NET is at

http://www.CommunityServer.org,

but to answer your question, you don't want to run a string.Replace(), rather you'll want to check out Regex.Replace().

http://www.knowdotnet.com/articles/regereplacementstrings.html

//untested
//it would be something like this
string modifiedText = Regex.Replace( "blah [URL unfurl="true"]www.site.com[/URL] blah", @"[URL unfurl="true"]www\..*?\.\w{2,3}",[/URL] @"[link]$&[\link]" );

 

[gi11ies]

Thanks for the replies everyone, BoulderBum ... built from what you posted.

What I ended up doing though was using the findcontrol for the datagrid, and then the replace ... so code Im using is:

Dim dgItem as DataGridItem

For each dgItem in sysacDG.items
' Display an Image in Post
Dim userPost As String = CType(dgItem.FindControl("lblText"), Label).Text
Dim userPost_imgOpen As String = userPost.Replace("", "<img src='")
Dim userPost_imgClose As String = userPost_imgOpen.Replace("", "'>")
' Display a Hyperlink
Dim userUrlOpen As String = userPost_imgClose.Replace("","<a href='") Dim userUrlClose As String = userUrlOpen.Replace("","'>")
Dim userDescOpen As String = userUrlClose.Replace("[desc]","")
Dim userDescClose As String = userDescOpen.Replace("[/desc]","</a>")
' Display Bold text
Dim userBoldOpen As String = userDescClose.Replace("","<b>")
Dim userBoldClose As String = userBoldOpen.Replace("","</b>")

CType(dgItem.FindControl("lblText"), Label).Text = userBoldClose
Next

Its working good so far, so am happy

Gillies