Disable Command Source Via Dispatcher Timer Sample

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This sample shows how to enable and disable a command source via a DispatcherTimer.

Command sources, such as the MenuItem class and the Button class, listen to the CanExecuteChanged event on the RoutedCommand they are attached to in order to determine when they need to query the command to see if the command can execute on the current command target. Command sources will typically disable themselves if the command cannot execute and enable themselves if the command can execute, such as when a MenuItem gray's itself out when the command cannot execute.

The CommandManager notifies the RoutedCommand via the RequerySuggested event that conditions have changed with the command target. The RoutedCommand raises the CanExecuteChanged event which the command source listens to. Normally, this notification mechanism is adequate, but there are some situations where the CommandManager is unaware that the conditions have changed on the command target and thus the RequerySuggested event is never raised and the command source never queries the RoutedCommand. In these situations, the CommandManager can be forced to raise the RequerySuggested event by calling InvalidateRequerySuggested.

This sample creates a RoutedCommand that can be executed only when the seconds in the current time are greater than a target value. A DispatcherTimer is created that calls InvalidateRequerySuggested every second. This insures that the command source will receive the CanExecuteChanged event so that it can call the CanExecute method on the command.

For another variation of this sample see the Disable Command Source Via System Timer Sample sample. And for more information on commanding see the Commanding Overview.

This sample demonstrates a specific feature of the Windows Presentation Foundation and, consequently, does not follow application development best practices. For comprehensive coverage of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Microsoft .NET Framework application development best practices, refer to the following as appropriate:

Accessibility - Accessibility Best Practices

Security - WPF Security

Localization - WPF Globalization and Localization Overview

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Building the Sample

  • Install the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) and open its build environment command window. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, Microsoft Windows SDK, and then click CMD Shell.

  • Download the sample, usually from the software development kit (SDK) documentation, to your hard disk drive.

  • To build the sample from the build environment command window, go to the source directory of the sample. At the command prompt, type MSBUILD.

  • To build the sample in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, load the sample solution or project file and then press CTRL+SHIFT+B.

Running the Sample

  • To run the compiled sample from the build environment command window, execute the .exe file in the Bin\Debug or Bin\Release folder contained under the sample source code folder.

  • To run the compiled sample with debugging in Visual Studio 2005, press F5.

See Also

Other Resources

Commanding Overview
Disable Command Source Via System Timer Sample