The Web Client Software Factory team released the Search Bundle not too long ago that helps one incorporate real-time search functionality into your applications using ASP.NET AJAX. It comes with a RealTimeSearchMonitor Control that monitors changes in one or more input controls on specified intervals and issues an asynchronous postback if a change is detected. One can do this with ASP.NET AJAX without the RealTimeSearch Monitor, of course, but the control makes it all so much easier to do and maintain than if you were to write the Javascript yourself. The same is true for all the various controls shipping with the guidance bundles, like the ServerSideValidationExtender and ContextSensitiveAutoCompleteExtender Controls.

I created a screencast for the Search Bundle that you can watch:

• Search Bundle Screencast - Web Client Software Factory v2.0

You can see a tutorial using the same example built in the screencast:

• Search Bundle Tutorial - Real-Time ASP.NET AJAX Search Functionality

If you happen to be reading the ASP.NET AJAX IN ACTION book I just read and did a review on, check out section 6.5, Live GridView Filter, on page 216. It has a great example of how to provide similar ( not exact ) functionality without a RealTimeSearchMonitor Control and is great background reading on this subject. It helped me understand a bit more on what is happening underneath the covers of the RealTimeSearchMonitor Control. I am sure there are other resources on the Internet as well. The help file that ships with the Search Bundle offers insight, too, as well as you have the source code in the download.

The one thing I really like about the RealTimeSearchMonitor Control is that it works with validator controls on the page. So, if it detects a change in an input control, say a TextBox, it will check to make sure the textbox is valid based on any validators associated with it on the page. If and only if it passes validation will it do an asynchronous postback. Quite nice and something I have not come across in my Internet browsing.

Here are two other screencasts associated with guidance bundles from the Web Client Software Factory v2.0:

• Validation Guidance Bundle Screencast - Web Client Software Factory v2.0
• Autocomplete Guidance Bundle Screencast in WCSF v2

Cool stuff in my humble opinion, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

Download the Search Bundle here as well as all the other guidance bundles in WCSF.