Configuring the Object Data Source

You will now add an ObjectDataSource control to your project and configure it to use the data access class you just created.

1.  Click the Authors.aspx tab and ensure that you are in Design view. From the Toolbox, in the Data section, drag an ObjectDataSource onto the design surface, placing it next to the existing SqlDataSource control.

2.  In the ObjectDataSource Tasks menu click Configure Data Source. In the Configure Data Source wizard, uncheck Show only data components. For Choose your business object select DataAccess and then click Next.

3.  In Define Data Methods, for Choose a method select GetAuthors, and then click Next.

The Define Parameters step should look familiar. This is where you tell the data source to use the selected stateDropDownList value as a parameter in the SELECT statement.

4.  For Parameter source select Control. For ControlID select stateDropDownList, and for DefaultValue enter "CA". Then click Finish.

5. Finally, give the ObjectDataSource control a more meaningful ID. In the Properties window change the (ID) property to "authorsObjectDataSource". Press CTRL+S to save your work.

Your object data source is now configured and ready for consumption by the GridView control.