I do a similar thing for forms: each "generic" form remembers it's own position on screen, and will open there regardless of which application caused it to be created (so a "move files" project displays a status screen which appears in the same place from multiple apps).
The way I do it is to create an ini file under the %Appdata% folder, and read that in my Load handler, then when teh form closes I check and if neccessary update the ini file:
/// <summary>
/// Restore size and location (if the user doesn't
/// override it)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="sender"></param>
/// <param name="e"></param>
private void frmMain_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
//TODO: Remove this code to not save and restore your form location and size
if ((ModifierKeys & Keys.Shift) == 0)
{
this.LoadLocation();
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Save the size and location (if the used doesn't
/// override it)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="sender"></param>
/// <param name="e"></param>
private void frmMain_FormClosing(object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
{
//TODO: Remove this code to not save and restore your form location and size
if ((ModifierKeys & Keys.Shift) == 0)
{
this.SaveLocation();
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Get the current user data folder
/// </summary>
public static string UserDataFolder
{
get
{
Guid appGuid = AppGuid;
string folderBase = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.LocalApplicationData);
string dir = string.Format(@"{0}\{1}\", folderBase, appGuid.ToString("B").ToUpper());
return CheckDir(dir);
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Fill out the static properties
/// </summary>
static Storage()
{
LocationsStorageFile = UserDataFolder + "control.storage.locations";
}
/// <summary>
/// Save the control location
/// (Because a Form is derived from Control, it works
/// for them as well)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="control">Form to save location of</param>
/// <param name="instance">Instance identifier (for use with multiple instances)</param>
public static void SaveLocation(this Control control, string instance = null)
{
string controlName = control.GetType().Name;
if (!File.Exists(LocationsStorageFile))
{
CreateBlankLocationFile();
}
DataTable dt = ReadXML(LocationsStorageFile);
if (dt.Columns.Count >= 6)
{
bool ignoreInstance = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(instance);
DataRow current = dt.NewRow(); // Assume new row or instance.
current["ControlName"] = controlName;
current["Instance"] = instance ?? "";
foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
if (row["ControlName"] as string == controlName && (ignoreInstance || row["Instance"] as string == instance))
{
// Found it!
//current = row;
dt.Rows.Remove(row);
break;
}
}
current["LocationX"] = control.Location.X;
current["LocationY"] = control.Location.Y;
current["SizeW"] = control.Size.Width;
current["SizeH"] = control.Size.Height;
dt.Rows.Add(current);
WriteXML(dt, LocationsStorageFile);
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Load the Control location
/// (Because a Form is derived from Control, it works
/// for them as well)
/// </summary>
/// <param name="control">Form to save location of</param>
/// <param name="instance">Instance identifier (for use with multiple instances)</param>
public static void LoadLocation(this Control control, string instance = null)
{
string controlName = control.GetType().Name;
if (!File.Exists(LocationsStorageFile))
{
CreateBlankLocationFile();
}
DataTable dt = ReadXML(LocationsStorageFile);
if (dt.Columns.Count >= 6)
{
bool ignoreInstance = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(instance);
DataRow current = dt.NewRow(); // Assume new row or instance.
current["ControlName"] = controlName;
current["Instance"] = instance ?? "";
current["LocationX"] = control.Location.X;
current["LocationY"] = control.Location.Y;
current["SizeW"] = control.Size.Width;
current["SizeH"] = control.Size.Height;
foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
if (row["ControlName"] as string == controlName && (ignoreInstance || row["Instance"] as string == instance))
{
// Found it!
current = row;
int x, y, w, h;
if (int.TryParse(current["LocationX"].ToString(), out x) &&
int.TryParse(current["LocationY"].ToString(), out y) &&
int.TryParse(current["SizeW"].ToString(), out w) &&
int.TryParse(current["SizeH"].ToString(), out h))
{
control.Location = new Point(x, y);
control.Size = new Size(w, h);
}
break;
}
}
}
}
