ConfigurationElementCollection Class

Definition

public ref class ConfigurationElementCollection abstract : System::Configuration::ConfigurationElement, System::Collections::ICollection

public abstract class ConfigurationElementCollection : System.Configuration.ConfigurationElement, System.Collections.ICollection

type ConfigurationElementCollection = class
    inherit ConfigurationElement
    interface ICollection
    interface IEnumerable

Public MustInherit Class ConfigurationElementCollection
Inherits ConfigurationElement
Implements ICollection

Inheritance

Object

ConfigurationElement

ConfigurationElementCollection

Derived

System.Configuration.ConnectionStringSettingsCollection

System.Configuration.KeyValueConfigurationCollection

System.Configuration.NameValueConfigurationCollection

System.Configuration.ProviderSettingsCollection

System.Configuration.SchemeSettingElementCollection

More…

Implements

ICollection IEnumerable

Examples

The following example shows how to use the ConfigurationElementCollection.

The first example consists of three classes: UrlsSection, UrlsCollection and UrlConfigElement. The UrlsSection class uses the ConfigurationCollectionAttribute to define a custom configuration section. This section contains a URL collection (defined by the UrlsCollection class) of URL elements (defined by the UrlConfigElement class).

using System;
using System.Configuration;

// Define a UrlsSection custom section that contains a 
// UrlsCollection collection of UrlConfigElement elements.
public class UrlsSection : ConfigurationSection
{

    // Declare the UrlsCollection collection property.
    [ConfigurationProperty("urls", IsDefaultCollection = false)]
    [ConfigurationCollection(typeof(UrlsCollection),
        AddItemName = "add",
        ClearItemsName = "clear",
        RemoveItemName = "remove")]
    public UrlsCollection Urls
    {
        get
        {
            UrlsCollection urlsCollection =
                (UrlsCollection)base["urls"];

            return urlsCollection;
        }

        set
        {
            UrlsCollection urlsCollection = value;
        }
    }

    // Create a new instance of the UrlsSection.
    // This constructor creates a configuration element 
    // using the UrlConfigElement default values.
    // It assigns this element to the collection.
    public UrlsSection()
    {
        UrlConfigElement url = new UrlConfigElement();
        Urls.Add(url);
    }
}

// Define the UrlsCollection that contains the 
// UrlsConfigElement elements.
// This class shows how to use the ConfigurationElementCollection.
public class UrlsCollection : ConfigurationElementCollection
{

    public UrlsCollection()
    {
    }

    public override ConfigurationElementCollectionType CollectionType
    {
        get
        {
            return ConfigurationElementCollectionType.AddRemoveClearMap;
        }
    }

    protected override ConfigurationElement CreateNewElement()
    {
        return new UrlConfigElement();
    }

    protected override Object GetElementKey(ConfigurationElement element)
    {
        return ((UrlConfigElement)element).Name;
    }

    public UrlConfigElement this[int index]
    {
        get
        {
            return (UrlConfigElement)BaseGet(index);
        }
        set
        {
            if (BaseGet(index) != null)
            {
                BaseRemoveAt(index);
            }
            BaseAdd(index, value);
        }
    }

    new public UrlConfigElement this[string Name]
    {
        get
        {
            return (UrlConfigElement)BaseGet(Name);
        }
    }

    public int IndexOf(UrlConfigElement url)
    {
        return BaseIndexOf(url);
    }

    public void Add(UrlConfigElement url)
    {
        BaseAdd(url);

        // Your custom code goes here.
    }

    protected override void BaseAdd(ConfigurationElement element)
    {
        BaseAdd(element, false);

        // Your custom code goes here.
    }
    
    public void Remove(UrlConfigElement url)
    {
        if (BaseIndexOf(url) >= 0)
        {
            BaseRemove(url.Name);
            // Your custom code goes here.
            Console.WriteLine("UrlsCollection: {0}", "Removed collection element!");
        }
    }
    
    public void RemoveAt(int index)
    {
        BaseRemoveAt(index);

        // Your custom code goes here.
    }
    
    public void Remove(string name)
    {
        BaseRemove(name);

        // Your custom code goes here.
    }
    
    public void Clear()
    {
        BaseClear();

        // Your custom code goes here.
        Console.WriteLine("UrlsCollection: {0}", "Removed entire collection!");
    }
}

// Define the UrlsConfigElement elements that are contained 
// by the UrlsCollection.
public class UrlConfigElement : ConfigurationElement
{
    public UrlConfigElement(String name, String url, int port)
    {
        this.Name = name;
        this.Url = url;
        this.Port = port;
    }

    public UrlConfigElement()
    {
    }

    [ConfigurationProperty("name", DefaultValue = "Contoso",
        IsRequired = true, IsKey = true)]
    public string Name
    {
        get
        {
            return (string)this["name"];
        }
        set
        {
            this["name"] = value;
        }
    }

    [ConfigurationProperty("url", DefaultValue = "http://www.contoso.com",
        IsRequired = true)]
    [RegexStringValidator(@"\w+:\/\/[\w.]+\S*")]
    public string Url
    {
        get
        {
            return (string)this["url"];
        }
        set
        {
            this["url"] = value;
        }
    }
    
    [ConfigurationProperty("port", DefaultValue = (int)4040, IsRequired = false)]
    [IntegerValidator(MinValue = 0, MaxValue = 8080, ExcludeRange = false)]
    public int Port
    {
        get
        {
            return (int)this["port"];
        }
        set
        {
            this["port"] = value;
        }
    }
}

Imports System.Configuration

' Define a UrlsSection custom section that contains a 
' UrlsCollection collection of UrlConfigElement elements.
Public Class UrlsSection
    Inherits ConfigurationSection

    ' Declare the UrlsCollection collection property.
    <ConfigurationProperty("urls", IsDefaultCollection:=False), ConfigurationCollection(GetType(UrlsCollection), AddItemName:="add", ClearItemsName:="clear", RemoveItemName:="remove")>
    Public Property Urls() As UrlsCollection
        Get
            Dim urlsCollection As UrlsCollection = CType(MyBase.Item("urls"), UrlsCollection)

            Return urlsCollection
        End Get

        Set(ByVal value As UrlsCollection)
            Dim urlsCollection As UrlsCollection = value
        End Set

    End Property

    ' Create a new instance of the UrlsSection.
    ' This constructor creates a configuration element 
    ' using the UrlConfigElement default values.
    ' It assigns this element to the collection.
    Public Sub New()
        Dim url As New UrlConfigElement()
        Urls.Add(url)

    End Sub

End Class

' Define the UrlsCollection that contains the 
' UrlsConfigElement elements.
' This class shows how to use the ConfigurationElementCollection.
Public Class UrlsCollection
    Inherits System.Configuration.ConfigurationElementCollection


    Public Sub New()

    End Sub

    Public ReadOnly Property CollectionType() As ConfigurationElementCollectionType
        Get
            Return ConfigurationElementCollectionType.AddRemoveClearMap
        End Get
    End Property

    Protected Overloads Overrides Function CreateNewElement() As ConfigurationElement
        Return New UrlConfigElement()
    End Function

    Protected Overrides Function GetElementKey(ByVal element As ConfigurationElement) As Object
        Return (CType(element, UrlConfigElement)).Name
    End Function

    Default Public Shadows Property Item(ByVal index As Integer) As UrlConfigElement
        Get
            Return CType(BaseGet(index), UrlConfigElement)
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As UrlConfigElement)
            If BaseGet(index) IsNot Nothing Then
                BaseRemoveAt(index)
            End If
            BaseAdd(value)
        End Set
    End Property

    Default Public Shadows ReadOnly Property Item(ByVal Name As String) As UrlConfigElement
        Get
            Return CType(BaseGet(Name), UrlConfigElement)
        End Get
    End Property

    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal url As UrlConfigElement) As Integer
        Return BaseIndexOf(url)
    End Function

    Public Sub Add(ByVal url As UrlConfigElement)
        BaseAdd(url)

        ' Your custom code goes here.

    End Sub

    Protected Overloads Sub BaseAdd(ByVal element As ConfigurationElement)
        BaseAdd(element, False)

        ' Your custom code goes here.

    End Sub

    Public Sub Remove(ByVal url As UrlConfigElement)
        If BaseIndexOf(url) >= 0 Then
            BaseRemove(url.Name)
            ' Your custom code goes here.
            Console.WriteLine("UrlsCollection: {0}", "Removed collection element!")
        End If
    End Sub

    Public Sub RemoveAt(ByVal index As Integer)
        BaseRemoveAt(index)

        ' Your custom code goes here.

    End Sub

    Public Sub Remove(ByVal name As String)
        BaseRemove(name)

        ' Your custom code goes here.

    End Sub

    Public Sub Clear()
        BaseClear()

        ' Your custom code goes here.
        Console.WriteLine("UrlsCollection: {0}", "Removed entire collection!")
    End Sub

End Class

' Define the UrlsConfigElement elements that are contained 
' by the UrlsCollection.
Public Class UrlConfigElement
    Inherits ConfigurationElement
    Public Sub New(ByVal name As String, ByVal url As String, ByVal port As Integer)
        Me.Name = name
        Me.Url = url
        Me.Port = port
    End Sub

    Public Sub New()

    End Sub

    <ConfigurationProperty("name", DefaultValue:="Contoso", IsRequired:=True, IsKey:=True)>
    Public Property Name() As String
        Get
            Return CStr(Me("name"))
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            Me("name") = value
        End Set
    End Property

    <ConfigurationProperty("url", DefaultValue:="http://www.contoso.com", IsRequired:=True), RegexStringValidator("\w+:\/\/[\w.]+\S*")>
    Public Property Url() As String
        Get
            Return CStr(Me("url"))
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            Me("url") = value
        End Set
    End Property

    <ConfigurationProperty("port", DefaultValue:=CInt(4040), IsRequired:=False), IntegerValidator(MinValue:=0, MaxValue:=8080, ExcludeRange:=False)>
    Public Property Port() As Integer
        Get
            Return CInt(Fix(Me("port")))
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Integer)
            Me("port") = value
        End Set
    End Property

End Class

This second code example uses the classes specified before. You combine these two examples in a console application project.

using System;
using System.Configuration;
using System.Text;

class UsingConfigurationCollectionElement
{

    // Create a custom section and save it in the 
    // application configuration file.
    static void CreateCustomSection()
    {
        try
        {

            // Get the current configuration file.
            System.Configuration.Configuration config =
                    ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(
                    ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

            // Add the custom section to the application
            // configuration file.
            UrlsSection myUrlsSection = (UrlsSection)config.Sections["MyUrls"];

            if (myUrlsSection == null)
            {
                //  The configuration file does not contain the
                // custom section yet. Create it.
                myUrlsSection = new UrlsSection();

                config.Sections.Add("MyUrls", myUrlsSection);

                // Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = true;
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified); 
            }
            else
                if (myUrlsSection.Urls.Count == 0)
                {

                    // The configuration file contains the
                    // custom section but its element collection is empty.
                    // Initialize the collection. 
                    UrlConfigElement url = new UrlConfigElement();
                    myUrlsSection.Urls.Add(url);

                    // Save the application configuration file.
                    myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = true;
                    config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);
                }

            Console.WriteLine("Created custom section in the application configuration file: {0}",
                config.FilePath);
            Console.WriteLine();
        }
        catch (ConfigurationErrorsException err)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("CreateCustomSection: {0}", err.ToString());
        }
    }

    static void ReadCustomSection()
    {
        try
        {
            // Get the application configuration file.
            System.Configuration.Configuration config =
                    ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(
                    ConfigurationUserLevel.None) as Configuration;

            // Read and display the custom section.
            UrlsSection myUrlsSection =
               config.GetSection("MyUrls") as UrlsSection;

            if (myUrlsSection == null)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Failed to load UrlsSection.");
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Collection elements contained in the custom section collection:");
                for (int i = 0; i < myUrlsSection.Urls.Count; i++)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("   Name={0} URL={1} Port={2}",
                        myUrlsSection.Urls[i].Name,
                        myUrlsSection.Urls[i].Url,
                        myUrlsSection.Urls[i].Port);
                }
            }
        }
        catch (ConfigurationErrorsException err)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("ReadCustomSection(string): {0}", err.ToString());
        }
    }

    // Add an element to the custom section collection.
    // This function uses the ConfigurationCollectionElement Add method.
    static void AddCollectionElement()
    {
        try
        {

            // Get the current configuration file.
            System.Configuration.Configuration config =
                    ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(
                    ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

            // Get the custom configuration section.
            UrlsSection myUrlsSection = config.GetSection("MyUrls") as UrlsSection;

            // Add the element to the collection in the custom section.
            if (config.Sections["MyUrls"] != null)
            {
                UrlConfigElement urlElement = new UrlConfigElement();
                urlElement.Name = "Microsoft";
                urlElement.Url = "http://www.microsoft.com";
                urlElement.Port = 8080;
                
                // Use the ConfigurationCollectionElement Add method
                // to add the new element to the collection.
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Add(urlElement);

                // Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = true;
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified);

                Console.WriteLine("Added collection element to the custom section in the configuration file: {0}",
                    config.FilePath);
                Console.WriteLine();
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.");
            }
        }
        catch (ConfigurationErrorsException err)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("AddCollectionElement: {0}", err.ToString());
        }
    }

    // Remove element from the custom section collection.
    // This function uses one of the ConfigurationCollectionElement 
    // overloaded Remove methods.
    static void RemoveCollectionElement()
    {
        try
        {

            // Get the current configuration file.
            System.Configuration.Configuration config =
                    ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(
                    ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

            // Get the custom configuration section.
            UrlsSection myUrlsSection = config.GetSection("MyUrls") as UrlsSection;

            // Remove the element from the custom section.
            if (config.Sections["MyUrls"] != null)
            {
                UrlConfigElement urlElement = new UrlConfigElement();
                urlElement.Name = "Microsoft";
                urlElement.Url = "http://www.microsoft.com";
                urlElement.Port = 8080;

                // Use one of the ConfigurationCollectionElement Remove 
                // overloaded methods to remove the element from the collection.
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Remove(urlElement);

                // Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = true;
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Full);

                Console.WriteLine("Removed collection element from he custom section in the configuration file: {0}",
                    config.FilePath);
                Console.WriteLine();
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.");
            }
        }
        catch (ConfigurationErrorsException err)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("RemoveCollectionElement: {0}", err.ToString());
        }
    }

    // Remove the collection of elements from the custom section.
    // This function uses the ConfigurationCollectionElement Clear method.
    static void ClearCollectionElements()
    {
        try
        {

            // Get the current configuration file.
            System.Configuration.Configuration config =
                    ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(
                    ConfigurationUserLevel.None);

            // Get the custom configuration section.
            UrlsSection myUrlsSection = config.GetSection("MyUrls") as UrlsSection;

            // Remove the collection of elements from the section.
            if (config.Sections["MyUrls"] != null)
            {
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Clear();

                // Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = true;
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Full);

                Console.WriteLine("Removed collection of elements from he custom section in the configuration file: {0}",
                    config.FilePath);
                Console.WriteLine();
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.");
            }
        }
        catch (ConfigurationErrorsException err)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("ClearCollectionElements: {0}", err.ToString());
        }
    }

    public static void UserMenu()
    {
        string applicationName =
           Environment.GetCommandLineArgs()[0] + ".exe";
        StringBuilder buffer = new StringBuilder();

        buffer.AppendLine("Application: " + applicationName);
        buffer.AppendLine("Make your selection.");
        buffer.AppendLine("?    -- Display help.");
        buffer.AppendLine("Q,q  -- Exit the application.");
        buffer.Append("1    -- Create a custom section that");
        buffer.AppendLine(" contains a collection of elements.");
        buffer.Append("2    -- Read the custom section that");
        buffer.AppendLine(" contains a collection of custom elements.");
        buffer.Append("3    -- Add a collection element to");
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.");
        buffer.Append("4    -- Remove a collection element from");
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.");
        buffer.Append("5    -- Clear the collection of elements from");
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.");
        
        Console.Write(buffer.ToString());
    }

    // Obtain user's input and provide
    // feedback.
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Define user selection string.
        string selection;

        // Get the name of the application.
        string appName =
          Environment.GetCommandLineArgs()[0];

        // Get user selection.
        while (true)
        {

            UserMenu();
            Console.Write("> ");
            selection = Console.ReadLine();
            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(selection))
                break;
        }

        while (selection.ToLower() != "q")
        {
            // Process user's input.
            switch (selection)
            {
                case "1":
                    // Create a custom section and save it in the 
                    // application configuration file.
                    CreateCustomSection();
                    break;

                case "2":
                    // Read the custom section from the
                    // application configuration file.
                    ReadCustomSection();
                    break;

                case "3":
                    // Add a collection element to the
                    // custom section.
                    AddCollectionElement();
                    break;

                case "4":
                    // Remove a collection element from the
                    // custom section.
                    RemoveCollectionElement();
                    break;

                case "5":
                    // Clear the collection of elements from the
                    // custom section.
                    ClearCollectionElements();
                    break;

                default:
                    UserMenu();
                    break;
            }
            Console.Write("> ");
            selection = Console.ReadLine();
        }
    }
}

Imports System.Configuration
Imports System.Text

Friend Class UsingConfigurationCollectionElement

    ' Create a custom section and save it in the 
    ' application configuration file.
    Private Shared Sub CreateCustomSection()
        Try

            ' Get the current configuration file.
            Dim config As System.Configuration.Configuration = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None)

            ' Add the custom section to the application
            ' configuration file.
            Dim myUrlsSection As UrlsSection = CType(config.Sections("MyUrls"), UrlsSection)

            If myUrlsSection Is Nothing Then
                '  The configuration file does not contain the
                ' custom section yet. Create it.
                myUrlsSection = New UrlsSection()

                config.Sections.Add("MyUrls", myUrlsSection)

                ' Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = True
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified)
            Else
                If myUrlsSection.Urls.Count = 0 Then

                    ' The configuration file contains the
                    ' custom section but its element collection is empty.
                    ' Initialize the collection. 
                    Dim url As New UrlConfigElement()
                    myUrlsSection.Urls.Add(url)

                    ' Save the application configuration file.
                    myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = True
                    config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified)
                End If
            End If


            Console.WriteLine("Created custom section in the application configuration file: {0}", config.FilePath)
            Console.WriteLine()

        Catch err As ConfigurationErrorsException
            Console.WriteLine("CreateCustomSection: {0}", err.ToString())
        End Try

    End Sub

    Private Shared Sub ReadCustomSection()
        Try
            ' Get the application configuration file.
            Dim config As System.Configuration.Configuration = TryCast(ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None), Configuration)

            ' Read and display the custom section.
            Dim myUrlsSection As UrlsSection = TryCast(config.GetSection("MyUrls"), UrlsSection)

            If myUrlsSection Is Nothing Then
                Console.WriteLine("Failed to load UrlsSection.")
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("Collection elements contained in the custom section collection:")
                For i As Integer = 0 To myUrlsSection.Urls.Count - 1
                    Console.WriteLine("   Name={0} URL={1} Port={2}", myUrlsSection.Urls(i).Name, myUrlsSection.Urls(i).Url, myUrlsSection.Urls(i).Port)
                Next i
            End If

        Catch err As ConfigurationErrorsException
            Console.WriteLine("ReadCustomSection(string): {0}", err.ToString())
        End Try

    End Sub

    ' Add an element to the custom section collection.
    ' This function uses the ConfigurationCollectionElement Add method.
    Private Shared Sub AddCollectionElement()
        Try

            ' Get the current configuration file.
            Dim config As System.Configuration.Configuration = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None)


            ' Get the custom configuration section.
            Dim myUrlsSection As UrlsSection = TryCast(config.GetSection("MyUrls"), UrlsSection)


            ' Add the element to the collection in the custom section.
            If config.Sections("MyUrls") IsNot Nothing Then
                Dim urlElement As New UrlConfigElement()
                urlElement.Name = "Microsoft"
                urlElement.Url = "http://www.microsoft.com"
                urlElement.Port = 8080

                ' Use the ConfigurationCollectionElement Add method
                ' to add the new element to the collection.
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Add(urlElement)


                ' Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = True
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Modified)


                Console.WriteLine("Added collection element to the custom section in the configuration file: {0}", config.FilePath)
                Console.WriteLine()
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.")
            End If

        Catch err As ConfigurationErrorsException
            Console.WriteLine("AddCollectionElement: {0}", err.ToString())
        End Try

    End Sub

    ' Remove element from the custom section collection.
    ' This function uses one of the ConfigurationCollectionElement 
    ' overloaded Remove methods.
    Private Shared Sub RemoveCollectionElement()
        Try

            ' Get the current configuration file.
            Dim config As System.Configuration.Configuration = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None)


            ' Get the custom configuration section.
            Dim myUrlsSection As UrlsSection = TryCast(config.GetSection("MyUrls"), UrlsSection)


            ' Remove the element from the custom section.
            If config.Sections("MyUrls") IsNot Nothing Then
                Dim urlElement As New UrlConfigElement()
                urlElement.Name = "Microsoft"
                urlElement.Url = "http://www.microsoft.com"
                urlElement.Port = 8080

                ' Use one of the ConfigurationCollectionElement Remove 
                ' overloaded methods to remove the element from the collection.
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Remove(urlElement)


                ' Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = True
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Full)


                Console.WriteLine("Removed collection element from he custom section in the configuration file: {0}", config.FilePath)
                Console.WriteLine()
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.")
            End If

        Catch err As ConfigurationErrorsException
            Console.WriteLine("RemoveCollectionElement: {0}", err.ToString())
        End Try

    End Sub

    ' Remove the collection of elements from the custom section.
    ' This function uses the ConfigurationCollectionElement Clear method.
    Private Shared Sub ClearCollectionElements()
        Try

            ' Get the current configuration file.
            Dim config As System.Configuration.Configuration = ConfigurationManager.OpenExeConfiguration(ConfigurationUserLevel.None)


            ' Get the custom configuration section.
            Dim myUrlsSection As UrlsSection = TryCast(config.GetSection("MyUrls"), UrlsSection)


            ' Remove the collection of elements from the section.
            If config.Sections("MyUrls") IsNot Nothing Then
                myUrlsSection.Urls.Clear()


                ' Save the application configuration file.
                myUrlsSection.SectionInformation.ForceSave = True
                config.Save(ConfigurationSaveMode.Full)


                Console.WriteLine("Removed collection of elements from he custom section in the configuration file: {0}", config.FilePath)
                Console.WriteLine()
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("You must create the custom section first.")
            End If

        Catch err As ConfigurationErrorsException
            Console.WriteLine("ClearCollectionElements: {0}", err.ToString())
        End Try

    End Sub

    Public Shared Sub UserMenu()
        Dim applicationName As String = Environment.GetCommandLineArgs()(0) & ".exe"
        Dim buffer As New StringBuilder()

        buffer.AppendLine("Application: " & applicationName)
        buffer.AppendLine("Make your selection.")
        buffer.AppendLine("?    -- Display help.")
        buffer.AppendLine("Q,q  -- Exit the application.")
        buffer.Append("1    -- Create a custom section that")
        buffer.AppendLine(" contains a collection of elements.")
        buffer.Append("2    -- Read the custom section that")
        buffer.AppendLine(" contains a collection of custom elements.")
        buffer.Append("3    -- Add a collection element to")
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.")
        buffer.Append("4    -- Remove a collection element from")
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.")
        buffer.Append("5    -- Clear the collection of elements from")
        buffer.AppendLine(" the custom section.")

        Console.Write(buffer.ToString())
    End Sub

    ' Obtain user's input and provide
    ' feedback.
    Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
        ' Define user selection string.
        Dim selection As String

        ' Get the name of the application.
        Dim appName As String = Environment.GetCommandLineArgs()(0)

        ' Get user selection.
        Do

            UserMenu()
            Console.Write("> ")
            selection = Console.ReadLine()
            If selection <> String.Empty Then
                Exit Do
            End If
        Loop

        Do While selection.ToLower() <> "q"
            ' Process user's input.
            Select Case selection
                Case "1"
                    ' Create a custom section and save it in the 
                    ' application configuration file.
                    CreateCustomSection()

                Case "2"
                    ' Read the custom section from the
                    ' application configuration file.
                    ReadCustomSection()

                Case "3"
                    ' Add a collection element to the
                    ' custom section.
                    AddCollectionElement()

                Case "4"
                    ' Remove a collection element from the
                    ' custom section.
                    RemoveCollectionElement()

                Case "5"
                    ' Clear the collection of elements from the
                    ' custom section.
                    ClearCollectionElements()

                Case Else
                    UserMenu()
            End Select
            Console.Write("> ")
            selection = Console.ReadLine()
        Loop
    End Sub
End Class

When you run the console application, an instance of the UrlsSection class is created and the following configuration elements are generated in the application configuration file:

<configuration>  
    <configSections>  
        <section name="MyUrls" type="UrlsSection,   
          ConfigurationElementCollection, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null" />  
    </configSections>  
    <MyUrls>  
        <urls>  
           <add name="Contoso" url="http://www.contoso.com" port="4040" />  
        </urls>  
    </MyUrls>  
</configuration  

Remarks

The ConfigurationElementCollection represents a collection of elements within a configuration file.

You use the ConfigurationElementCollection to work with a collection of ConfigurationElement objects. Implement this class to add collections of custom ConfigurationElement elements to a ConfigurationSection.

Notes to Implementers

You can use a programmatic or a declarative (attributed) coding model to create a custom configuration element.

The programmatic model requires that for each element attribute you create a property to get and set its value, and that you add it to the internal property bag of the underlying ConfigurationElement base class.

The declarative model, also referred to as the attributed model, allows you to define an element attribute by using a property and configuring it with attributes. These attributes instruct the ASP.NET configuration system about the property types and their default values. ASP.NET can use reflection to obtain this information and then create the element property objects and perform the required initialization.

Constructors

Properties

Methods

Explicit Interface Implementations

Extension Methods

Applies to

See also

• ElementInformation
• ConfigurationElement
• ConfigurationElementCollectionType
• ConfigurationProperty
• ConfigurationPropertyCollection
• ConfigurationSection