How it works

Using Essential Grouping is straight-forward. Set a datasource / IList object with public properties into an Essential Grouping Engine. Following is a code window showing the process:

Once the engine is initialized, it is possible to sort, filter, group and summarize data using straight-forward code. Once the tracking items are set up (provided the datasource supports IBindingList), the Engine will automatically maintain the information being tracked. It can then be accessed through collections in the Engine. The following screenshot shows simple data that has been grouped by column C. There are three lists, the raw data, the visible data before an ExpandAll call, and finally, the visible data after the ExpandAll call. The middle section lists out the group captions, showing summary information on the group. The bottom listing shows the captions plus the actual records in the expanded groups. This is the type of raw (non-UI specific) information that Essential Grouping provides access to.