Spring Release 2024
Xceed 2024 Spring Release
The technology landscape is constantly evolving (especially in .NET) and so are the tools that developers rely on to create cutting-edge applications. In keeping with this spirit of innovation and improvement, Xceed is excited to announce the 2024 Spring Release of its suite of .NET components. This release encompasses a wide range of enhancements, bug fixes, and strategic updates designed to streamline development processes, enhance application performance, and ensure compatibility with the latest .NET technologies.
Embracing Generic Naming
A standout feature of this release is the transition to generic naming for assemblies across several Xceed components, including Words, Toolkit, DataGrid, Workbooks, SFTP, and ZIP. Previously named with a ".NET5" suffix, the assemblies are now aligned with their .NET Framework equivalents and housed in their own dedicated folders. This change is more than just a renaming exercise; it's a forward-looking decision to ensure that Xceed's components remain compatible with NET5 and all subsequent versions of the .NET technology. By adopting generic names, Xceed eliminates the need for renaming files with each Microsoft update, simplifying the development process and ensuring a smoother user experience.
Words 3.0: Enhanced Document Management and PDF Conversion
Words 3.0 receives a substantial update in this release, focusing on improving PDF conversion functionalities and overall document handling. A total of 24 bug fixes have been implemented, including 8 specific to PDF conversion and 16 general improvements. These updates address several key issues, such as support for unquoted attribute values in HTML content, correct alignment for pictures, and enhanced handling of HTML tables in documents. Notably, PDF conversion now accurately retains page numbers in Roman characters, respects the default font of the original document, and prevents StackOverflow exceptions during the conversion process. These enhancements significantly improve the reliability and flexibility of document management within Words 3.0.
Toolkit 4.6 and DataGrid 7.3: Stability and Performance Improvements
Toolkit 4.6 sees the resolution of 7 critical issues, improving stability and user experience. Noteworthy fixes include addressing a crash when floating a LayoutElement with AvalonDock and eliminating memory leaks associated with multiple DateTimePickers. Similarly, DataGrid 7.3 introduces 10 bug fixes aimed at enhancing performance and usability. Updates include a new DefaultCulture property for the StatCell class, improved user settings loading, and corrected display issues with dynamically added elements.
Workbooks, SFTP, and ZIP: Ensuring Broad .NET Compatibility
Workbooks 1.4, SFTP 7.1, and ZIP 7.1 have also been updated to align with the generic naming convention, supporting all NET5+ versions of the .NET technology. SFTP 7.1 enhances exception tracing with additional information from Exception.Source & Exception.Data, and addresses a specific NullReferenceException. ZIP 7.1 improves its compression functionality, ensuring that QuickCompression.Compress() returns compressed data for various methods beyond Deflate.
Expanding the Horizon with Xceed Toolkit for .NET MAUI 1.7
In addition to the substantial updates across Words, Toolkit, DataGrid, Workbooks, SFTP, and ZIP components, the Xceed 2024 Spring Release introduces a significant enhancement to the Xceed Toolkit for .NET MAUI with version 1.7. This update brings an array of new controls to the toolkit, further broadening the capabilities and versatility of .NET MAUI applications.
Version 1.7 adds six new controls, each designed to offer developers more flexibility and functionality in their .NET MAUI projects:
Calendar: A control akin to the WPF version, enabling effortless date selection with month, year, or decade views. It supports single, range, or multiple date selections, enhancing scheduling capabilities in applications.
PopUp: A versatile control for displaying any View atop everything else, with options for modal and non-modal popups. It supports various positioning options, enhancing the UI/UX of applications.
DropDownButton: This control introduces a clickable area that opens a popup containing any View, closing automatically when clicking outside. It's perfect for menus and other interactive elements.
AutoCompleteTextBox: Building on the TextBox control, this addition offers filtered data display based on user input, with customizable item templates and filtering methods.
DateTimeUpDown: Similar to the NumericUpDown but for date segments, this control enhances date input efficiency with keyboard navigation and customizable formats.
Calculator: A fully functional calculator control with customizable buttons, catering to applications requiring numerical input and calculations.
These new controls complement the previously introduced ones in versions 1.5 and 1.6, such as the Chart, ColorCanvas, Switch, Expander, TextBox, CheckBox, MaskedTextBox, FilePicker, and RadioButton, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for building rich, interactive, and visually appealing .NET MAUI applications.
The toolkit supports all platforms compatible with .NET MAUI, including Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS, ensuring a consistent and seamless user experience across devices. With the addition of these new controls, the Xceed Toolkit for .NET MAUI 1.7 solidifies its position as an essential resource for developers looking to leverage the cross-platform capabilities of .NET MAUI to create exceptional applications.
For developers eager to explore the new features and controls introduced in the Xceed Toolkit for .NET MAUI 1.7, the toolkit is readily available for download and integration into your projects. You can obtain the toolkit by visiting the official GitHub repository at Xceed Toolkit for .NET MAUI. The repository provides access to the source code, detailed documentation, and installation instructions to help you get started.
Conclusion
The Xceed 2024 Spring Release embodies our commitment to innovation, quality, and developer productivity. By introducing generic naming conventions, enhancing PDF conversion processes, and expanding the toolkit for .NET MAUI, we aim to provide the tools and features that developers need to succeed in the evolving .NET ecosystem. We're excited to see the innovative solutions our community will build with these new capabilities, and we remain dedicated to supporting your development journey with high-quality, reliable components. Thank you for choosing Xceed, and happy coding!