Sometimes we need to know the width of a given string in pixels, do you know how to compute it? Before writing some long code, please notice that the .NET framework class library provides such a method. When Googling about this issue, we find the Graphics.MeasureString Method, here is how to use it:

Graphics graphics = this.CreateGraphics();
SizeF textSize = graphics.MeasureString("How long am I?", this.Font);

Nice isn’t it? Well, there is one little problem here, how is the Graphics object created? The written code is a Windows Forms code, so the this is the Form itself. You can’t create the Graphics object by simply allocating it because…

We have all used WPF DataTemplates, but I bet most of you never gave thought to the meaning of the x:Key attribute. We all know the meaning of the DataType attribute, which determines to what type of data the template will apply to. But what about the x:Key why is it there? Lets tale a look at the following code:

<Window.Resources>
        <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type data:s}">
            <Button Width="50" Height="50">
                <TextBlock Text="{Binding text}"></TextBlock>
            </Button>
        </DataTemplate>
    </Window.Resources>
    <Canvas>
        <ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding}">
        </ItemsControl>
    </Canvas>