What is the template binding vs binding?

📝 What is the template binding vs binding?

Have you ever come across the term "template binding" while coding in WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)? And did it leave you scratching your head in confusion? Well, fear not! In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the concepts of template binding and binding, unraveling their mysteries and providing easy-to-understand examples.

🤔 Understanding Template Binding

Let's start by examining the code snippet you provided:

<ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type wpftoolkit:DataGridCell}">
    <Border Padding="{TemplateBinding Padding}" 
            BorderBrush="{TemplateBinding BorderBrush}" 
            BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}" 
            Background="{TemplateBinding Background}" 
            SnapsToDevicePixels="True">
        <ContentPresenter SnapsToDevicePixels="{TemplateBinding SnapsToDevicePixels}"/>
    </Border>
</ControlTemplate>

In this snippet, BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}" caught your attention. So, what does it do?

Template binding allows you to bind a property within a control's template to another property on the same control. In this case, the BorderThickness property of the Border element is being bound to the BorderThickness property of the DataGridCell.

This means that any changes made to the DataGridCell's BorderThickness property will automatically update the Border element's BorderThickness property within the template. It helps ensure consistency and synchronization between various parts of a control.

👥 Other Types of Binding

While template binding is a powerful tool, it's important to understand that it's just one type of binding in WPF. Let's take a quick look at some other commonly used types of binding:

1. {Binding}

This is the simplest and most common form of binding. It allows you to bind a property on a control to a property on a data source, such as a view model or code-behind. For example, {Binding Text} would bind the Text property of a control to a property named Text on the data source.

2. {RelativeSource}

Sometimes, you may need to bind to a property on a control's ancestor in the visual tree hierarchy. {RelativeSource} allows you to achieve that. It provides a way to specify a relative source for the binding, such as the control's parent or a specific element further up the hierarchy.

3. {ElementName}

In some cases, you may need to bind to a property of another control within the same scope. {ElementName} enables you to refer to another control by its x:Name and bind to its properties directly.

These are just a few examples, and WPF offers even more advanced binding features like converters, commands, and data triggers. Exploring them all would require another blog post!

✅ The Solution

Now that you understand the difference between template binding and regular binding, let's address the specific confusion you faced with the code snippet you provided.

The BorderThickness="{TemplateBinding BorderThickness}" line is simply binding the BorderThickness property of the Border element to the same property (BorderThickness) of the DataGridCell template.

In other words, any changes made to the DataGridCell's BorderThickness property will automatically propagate to the Border element within the template, ensuring a consistent border thickness.

It's all about maintaining coherence and cohesion within your WPF controls!

📣 Engage with us!

We hope this blog post has shed light on the concepts of template binding and binding in WPF. Now it's your turn to engage with us!

• Have you encountered any other quirks or complexities with WPF bindings? Let us know in the comments section below!

• Are there any specific topics you'd like us to cover in our future blog posts? Don't hesitate to share your suggestions!

Remember, understanding the depths of technology can be challenging, but with a little help and guidance, we can navigate through complex terrain together! Happy coding! 👩‍💻👨‍💻