I think it depends on whether you want to specialise, or be more of a "jack of all trades". I've done C, C++, Java, C# and .NET and found all to still be in demand however I think it is fair to say that given the investment in .NET that Microsoft have made that it is going to be a major player in the coming years. With that in mind, I would be tending toward C# however I don't think you would find it hard to jump to Java (or vice versa). Don't know much about game programming (others can probably add more) however I think that C/C++ is probably still the language of choice, along with a comprehensive set of tools for graphics design, animation and so on. However, I have heard arguments for C# but not too sure about that. Hope this helps. Good luck. Benjamin

Actually I think I've worked out what you meant about the layout rectangle. Cool. However, my main problem is actually determining the layout rectangle which is equivalent to the behaviour of the TextBox. You mentioned taking into account the textbox with minus the border etc. however I cannot seem to get a layout rectangle that ensures the behaviour of the TextBox is replicated exactly. How did you solve this problem? Is your solution resolution independent etc.. Cheers, Benjamin

Could you elaborate a little more on the rectangle that you pass into the MeasureString method? I am trying to determine the required dimensions (ie. size) so what dimensions to I pass into the method? Appreciate your ongoing assistance. Cheers, Benjamin

Hi Poolbeer (nice name :-), I've actually tried this approach. Maybe if I could go over my thinking: (1) Handle the key press event (2) Get the key value and check for special keys like delete, backspace, enter and take the appropriate action based on this (i.e. either add the normal char, delete a char etc..) (3) Modify the Text value accordingly (4) Indicate the event has been handled. (5) Get the value of Text and use Graphics.MeasureString to compare to the width of the TextBox area (available through TextBox.Size). (6) If the width of the string > width of the client area, then increment the height of the TextBox by the the FontHeight. (7) Reposition the cursor within the textbox. (8) Invalidate the control to repaint itself. Is this the kind of approach? (i'm no expert). How do settings like WordWrap and the likes work into your TextBox solution? Finally, how to you handle the ability to get and set Text into your box especially if the Text has been modified to create the desired output. Sorry for the abudance of questions but I've been working on this for a while and you are the only help I've had! :) Benjamin

Dear experts, Does anyone know how to get access to the text box control that is displayed underneath icons on the Windows desktop. I want to re-use this text box in my own application as it has the "growth" behaviour that I urgently need. I need a text box that will grow in height as more text is added to it. PLEASE HELP ME! Thanks in advance for your assistance. Benjamin

Dear experts, Does anyone know how to get access to the text box control that is displayed underneath icons on the Windows desktop. I want to re-use this text box in my own application as it has the "growth" behaviour that I urgently need. I need a text box that will grow in height as more text is added to it. PLEASE HELP ME! Thanks in advance for your assistance. Benjamin

Dear experts, I am trying to create a class that is derived from TextBox that has the ability to automatically resize as text is added to it. It is for use within a diagramming style application. When the TextBox is created it will have a default width and height (Height is set to allow one line of text to be visible). As the user enters text and reaches the right hand side of the TextBox, I need to increase the height of the text box to allow the second line to be seen and so on. The reverse behaviour is required as text is removed, the box must resize to be the minimal size required to show all lines. Also, the TextBox has the multiline property set to TRUE. I cannot use scrollbars as the user must be able to see all text all once. I've checked the .NET documentation and have not been able to locate a property or event that will allow me to detect this situation and take the appropriate action. Even the textbox underneath icons on the Windows desktop has the behaviour that I need! If there was anyway of re-using this, it would be great! Please help! Thanks in advance ;-) Benjamin