WOW.NET ver 2 100% Pure .NET Assembly 
WOW.NET ver 1

Introduction

WOW.NET is the most complete WebBrowser implementation available on the market.  Now you can have all of the features of the original ActiveX WOW control you know and love but in a pure .NET assembly and a HUGE number of new features.  Of course, we still have the original window.external.RaiseEvent functions, and you can set your own [ComVisible] .NET objects to be the window.external object so you can call your object's methods and properties directly from your webpage.  The download includes examples.

WOW.NET is a C# .NET 2.0 control that creates, hosts and sinks the events of the original Webbrowser control (Not .NET or any other wrapper). Advanced customization and total control over the Webbrowser control are achieved via implementation of a number of interfaces, along with the addition of many methods, properties and events. The control has no dependencies on MSHTML interop. All of the interfaces, enums and structs are defined within the project.

Here are some of the features of this control:

• Can easily be extended by adding other interfaces and methods, unlike .NET or any other Webbrowser wrapper
• All the basics expected from a Webbrowser wrapper are implemented. Setting/getting UI, and DL control flags. Handling of context menus, keyboard, registry, security manager, script errors, popups, authentication, security problems, font size, message boxes
• Stop dialogs launched using showModelessDialog() and showModalDialog() JavaScript methods
• Monitor all HTTP and HTTPS request and response headers with the opportunity to add your own headers. This includes images, sounds, scripts, etc.
• Built in HTMLDocument and HTMLWindow events
• Frameset aware. All the relevant routines check for frames
• Full drag and drop support
• Refresh begin and end events
• Create and resolve Internet shortcuts using IShellLink interface
• Load HTML content specifying BaseURL
• Added functionality to use the control as an MSHTML editor
• MSHTML as a UI-less HTML parser helper class

Control

This is a basic class derived from Control class. It overrides a number of Control methods in order to create, host and dispose the Webbrowser control. In addition, it handles resize events and forwards keyboard, focus, refresh and visibility events to the hosted Webbrowser control.

Interfaces

Each interface mentioned below plays a role in either the hosting or customization process. I decided not to go through a detailed explanation of how to implement and use the interfaces. One can easily find all of the information regarding implementation and functionalities offered by these interfaces from MSDN, or right here on this site.

• IOleClientSite - required as part of Webbrowser control hosting interfaces
• IOleInPlaceSite - required as part of Webbrowser control hosting interfaces
• IDocHostShowUI - to handle ::ShowMessage
• IDocHostUIHandler - to handle ::ShowContextMenu, ::TranslateAccelerator, ::GetOptionKeyPath, ::GetDropTarget and ::GetHostInfo
• DWebBrowserEvents2 - to handle Webbrowser events
• IDropTarget - to handle full drag drop internally
• IServiceProvider - to handle ::QueryService
• IHttpSecurity - to handle HTTP-related security problems
• IWindowForBindingUI - returns a handle via ::GetWindow that is used by MSHTML to display information in client UI
• INewWindowManager - WinX sp2 and up, to handle popups
• IAuthenticate - to handle basic and NTLM authentication
• IOleCommandTarget - to intercept script errors via the ::Exec method
• IinternetSecurityManager - to handle ::ProcessUrlAction
• IHTMLEventCallBack - A callback mechanism to pass HTMLDocument and HTMLWindow events to the control and, in turn, to the client
• IProtectFocus - IE7 + Vista - Queries for permission to grab the focus when loading the page or when a script attempts to focus an element
• IHTMLOMWindowServices - XP sp2 - Enables applications that are hosting the WebBrowser Control to intercept the window object calls for manipulating the host window coordinates from Dynamic HTML (DHTML) script

Properties

• WBDOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG - get set - DOC_DOWNLOAD_CONTROL_FLAGS
• DownloadImages - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.DLIMAGES
• DownloadSounds - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.BGSOUNDS
• DownloadActiveX - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_DLACTIVEXCTLS
• DownloadJava - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_JAVA
• DownloadFrames - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_FRAMEDOWNLOAD
• DownloadScripts - get set - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_SCRIPTS
• WBDOCHOSTUIFLAG - get set - DOC_HOST_UI_FLAGS
• Border3DEnabled - get set - Webbrowser 3D border
• ScrollBarsEnabled - get set - Webbrowser Scrollbars
• WBDOCHOSTUIDBLCLK - get set - DOC_HOST_UI_DBLCLK
• TextSize - get set - Webbrowser zoom property
• CanGoBack - get - can navigate backward
• CanGoForward - get - can navigate forward
• WebbrowserObject - get - Document object of Webbrowser control
• SendSourceOnDocumentCompleteWBEx - get set - fires DocumentCompleteEX event rather than DocumentComplete. DocumentCompleteEX event has one additional parameter that contains the source of the pDisp document object at the time DocmentComplete was called
• IEServerHwnd - get - Internet Explorer_Server HWND
• ShellEmbedingHwnd - get - ShellEmbedding HWND
• ShellDocObjectHwnd - get - ShellDocObject HWND
• RegisterAsDropTarget - get set - Webbrowser default drag drop
• RegisterForInternalDragDrop - get set - Instructs the control to take over drag drop. Uses WBDragxxx and WBDropxxx events to notify the client
• RegisterAsBrowser - get set - Registers Webbrowser as a top-level browser for target name resolution
• Silent - get set - whether the Webbrowser control can show dialog boxes
• LocationName - get - name of the resource that Webbrowser control is currently displaying
• LocationUrl - get set - URL of the resource that Webbrowser control is currently displaying
• Busy - get - indicating whether the Webbrowser control is engaged in a navigation or downloading operation
• OffLine - get set - currently operating in offline mode
• ReadyState - get - retrieves Readystate of the Webbrowser control
• ThumbImage - get - Contains a thumb image of the Webbrowser or null
• ObjectForScripting property. Allows JavaScript functions in an HTML page to call methods and properties of a an instance class passed to this property. Same as ObjectForScripting of C# Webbrowser wrapper control. An example of how to use this property has been provided in WinExternal class of frmMain
• DocumentTitle - Sets or retrieves the title of the document
• DocumentSource - Sets or retrieves the HTML source of the document

Methods

Basic

These methods are self explanatory

• public void Navigate(string URL)
• public void Navigate(string URL, BrowserNavConstants Flags)
• public void Navigate(string URL, BrowserNavConstants Flags, string TargetFrameName)
• public void Navigate(string URL, BrowserNavConstants Flags, string PostData)
• public void Navigate(string URL, string PostData)
• public void Navigate(string URL, byte[] PostData)
• public void Navigate2(string URL)
• public void Stop()
• public bool GoBack()
• public bool GoForward()
• public void GoHome()
• public void GoSearch()
• public void Refresh2(RefreshConstants Level)
• public bool SelectAll()
• public bool Clear()
• public bool ClearSelection()
• public bool Copy()
• public bool Paste()
• public bool Cut()
• public bool Undo()
• public bool Redo()
• public bool Delete()
• public bool PasteSpecial()
• public bool Spell()
• public bool NewWindow()
• public bool Print()
• public bool Print2()
• public bool Properties()
• public bool PrintPreview()
• public bool PrintPreview2()
• public bool PageSetup()
• public void SaveAs()
• public bool Find()
• public bool IEOptions()
• public bool ViewSource()
• public void OrganizeFavorites()
• public void PrivacySettings()
• public void LanguageDialog()
• public void ProgramAccessAndDefaults()
• public void AddToFavorites()
• public void ImportExport()
• public void SendLinkByEmail()
• public void SendPageByEmail()
• public void SendShortcutToDesktop()

Extended

Note: In a frameset, the bTopLevel parameter determines whether to use the top level document or to attempt to find and use the active document

• public bool LoadUrlIntoBrowser(String url) - Loads a URL into browser using IPersistMoniker interface
• public bool LoadHtmlIntoBrowser(string html, string sBaseUrl) - Loads HTML content into browser using LoadHTMLMoniker class and IPersistMoniker interface, allowing client to set the baseurl
• public bool LoadHtmlIntoBrowser(string html) - Loads HTML content into browser using IPersistStreamInit interface, baseurl, is set to about:blank by MSHTML
• public void ShowCertificateDialog() - If available, displays certificate for current website
• public Image DrawThumb(int W, int H, System.Drawing.Imaging.PixelFormat pixFormat) - Uses IE_Server HWND to draw a thumb image of the Webbrowser control. Faster than other methods with one draw back. It only works if the Webbrowser control is in front of Zorder
• public Image DrawThumb2(int W, int H, System.Drawing.Imaging.PixelFormat pixFormat) - Uses IViewObject interface obtained from IHTMLDocument2 to draw a thumb image of the Webbrowser control
• public void SaveBrowserImage(string sFileName, System.Drawing.Imaging.PixelFormat pixFormat, System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat format) - Saves Webbrowser image
• public bool HasFocus()
• public void SetFocus()
• public void SetFocusBody()
• public bool FindInPage(string sFind, bool DownWard, bool MatchWholeWord, bool MatchCase, bool ScrollIntoView) - Finds a match. Returns true if found, else false. In a frameset, it attempts to find and use the active document.
• public int FindAndHightAllInPage(string sFind, bool MatchWholeWord, bool MatchCase, int cbackColor, int cForeColor) - Finds and highlights all matches. Returns number of matches found. In a frameset, it attempts to find and use the active document.
• public int FindAndHightAllInPage(string sFind, bool MatchWholeWord, bool MatchCase, string cbackColor, string cForeColor)
• public int FindAndHightAllInPage(string sFind, bool MatchWholeWord, bool MatchCase, Color cbackColor, Color cForeColor)
• public bool IsCommandEnabled(string sCmdId) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::queryCommandEnabled
• public bool SetDesignMode(string sMode)
• public string GetDesignMode()
• public IHTMLElement GetActiveElement() - Returns the active element or null. Accounts for frames
• public IHTMLDocument2 GetActiveDocument() - Returns the active document or null. Accounts for frames
• public string GetTitle(bool bTopLevel) - Wrapper for IHtmlDocument2::title
• public string GetTitle(IWebBrowser2 thisBrowser)
• public string GetText(bool bTopLevel) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::outerText
• public string GetText(IWebBrowser2 thisBrowser)
• public string GetSource(bool bTopLevel) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::outerHTML
• public string GetSource(IWebBrowser2 thisBrowser)
• public IHTMLElementCollection GetImages(bool bTopLevel) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::images
• public IHTMLElementCollection GetAnchors(bool bTopLevel) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::anchors
• public string GetSelectedText(bool bTopLevel, bool ReturnAsHTML) - Returns selection as plain text or HTML.
• public IHTMLElement ElementFromPoint(bool bTopLevel, int X, int Y) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::elementFromPoint
• public bool ExecCommand(bool bTopLevel, string CmdId) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::execCommand
• public bool QueryCommandState(bool bTopLevel, string CmdId) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::queryCommandState
• public bool OleCommandExec(bool bTopLevel, MSHTML_COMMAND_IDS CmdID) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::IOleCommandTarget::Exec
• public object QueryCommandValue(string CmdID) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::queryCommandValue
• public bool QueryCommandState(bool bTopLevel, string CmdId) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument2::queryCommandState
• public IHTMLElement GetElementByID(bool bTopLevel, string idval) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::getElementById
• public IHTMLElementCollection GetElementsByTagName(bool bTopLevel, String tagname) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::getElementsByTagName
• public IHTMLElementCollection GetElementsByName(bool bTopLevel, string elemname) - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::getElementsByName
• public object execScript(bool bTopLevel, string ScriptName, string ScriptLanguage) - Wrapper for IHTMLWindow2::execScript
• public bool OleCommandExec(bool bTopLevel, MSHTML_COMMAND_IDS CmdID, object pvaIn) - Wrapper for IHTMLWindow2::execScript, which accepts a parameter
• public object InvokeScript(string ScriptName, object[] Data) - Invokes a script within the HTML page
• public object InvokeScript(IWebBrowser2 wb, string ScriptName, object[] Data) - Invokes a script within the HTML page
• public bool IsFrameset()
• public int FramesCount()
• public List<IWebBrowser2> GetFrames() - Returns a List populated with the IWebbrowser interfaces of the frames
• public bool CreateInternetShortCut(string LocalFileName, string URL, string Description, string IconFileName, int IconIndex) - Attempts to create an Internet shortcut
• public string ResolveInternetShortCut(string InternetShortCutPath) - Attempts to resolve an Internet shortcut
• public bool ClearHistory() - Clears IE history
• public void ActivateHTMLEvents(HTMLEventType EventType, int[] HTMLEventDispIds) - Activates either HTMLdocument or HTMLWindow events
• public void DeactivateHTMLEvents(HTMLEventType EventType) - Deactivates previously activated HTMLDocument or HTMLwindow events
• public void StartHTTPAPP() Call to start receiving HTTP request and response headers via ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events
• public void StopHTTPAPP() Call to stop ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events for HTTP protocol
• public void StopHTTPSAPP() Call to stop ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events for HTTPS protocol
• public void StartHTTPSAPP() Call to start receiving HTTPS request and response headers via ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events
• void SetAllowHTMLDialogs() - default true - set allow or disallow flag for HTML dialogs launched using showModelessDialog() and showModalDialog() methods using CBT Window Hook
• bool GetAllowHTMLDialogs() - get allow or disallow flag for HTML dialogs launched using showModelessDialog() and showModalDialog() methods using CBT Window Hook
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformClickButton(string btnname) - Performs a click on a Button element with given name
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformClickLink(string linkname) - Performs a click on a Link element with given name
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformEnterData(string inputname, string strValue) - Enters strValue into an input element with given name
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformEnterDataTextArea(string inputname, string strValue) - Enters strValue into a textarea element with given name
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformSubmitForm(string formname) - Submits a form with given name
• public bool AutomationTask_PerformSelectList(string selectname, string listitemvalue) - Selects a list item element with given listitemvalue
• AutomationTask_PerformSelectRadio(string radioname) - Selects a radio or checkbox element with given radioname

Events

DWebBrowserEvents2

DocumentComplete has been modified to include an extra parameter, IsTopLevel, which indicates whether or not we have the top-level document.

• DocumentComplete
• BeforeNavigate2
• ClientToHostWindow
• CommandStateChange
• DownloadBegin
• DownloadComplete
• FileDownload
• NavigateComplete2
• NavigateError
• NewWindow2
• NewWindow3
• PrintTemplateInstantiation
• PrintTemplateTeardown
• PrivacyImpactedStateChange
• ProgressChange
• PropertyChange
• SetSecureLockIcon
• StatusTextChange
• TitleChange
• WindowClosing
• WindowSetHeight
• WindowSetLeft
• WindowSetResizable
• WindowSetTop
• WindowSetWidth
• UpdatePageStatus

Drag drop

To use internal drag drop functionality, RegisterForInternalDragDrop must be set to true (default)

• WBDragEnter
• WBDragLeave
• WBDragOver
• WBDragDrop

Extended

• WBKeyDown - Rather than just firing when accelerator keys are used, I have decided to intercept key down and up, which I find to be more useful
• WBKeyUp
• WBContextMenu - Handle context menus
• WBGetOptionKeyPath - Allows the client to set up their own registry settings for Webbrowser control to use
• WBDocHostShowUIShowMessage - Allows interception of messageboxes
• DocumentCompleteEX - Setting SendSourceOnDocumentCompleteWBEx property will cause this event to fire instead of DocumentComplete, passing an extra parameter that contains the source of the document
• WBAuthenticate - Fires for basic and NTLM authentications. For NTLM, client needs to pass credentials as Username = Domain\username
• WBSecurityProblem - Fires when WinInet encounters a security problem
• WBEvaluteNewWindow - XPsp2, replaces NewWindowx events
• RefreshBegin
• RefreshEnd
• ScriptError - Fires for script errors. Contains all details in regard to script error
• ProcessUrlAction - Policy based URL processing
• HTMLEvent - Only event handler for HTMLDocument and HTMLwindow events
• ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction Enables the client to view all the HTTP and HTTPS request headers of Webbrowser control
• ProtocolHandlerOnResponse Enables the client to view all HTTP and HTTPS the response headers of Webbrowser control
• AllowFocusChange - IE7 Vista - notify client when focus is being changed via implementation of IProtectFocus interface
• HTMLOMWindowServices_moveTo - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Moves the screen position of the upper-left corner of the application window to the specified coordinates
• HTMLOMWindowServices_moveBy - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Moves the screen position of the application window by the specified offset values
• HTMLOMWindowServices_resizeTo - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Changes the current size of the application window by the specified offset values.
• HTMLOMWindowServices_resizeBy - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Sets the size of the application window to the specified values

Demo application

I have attempted to make the demo as comprehensive as possible. Here are some of its main features:

• Multi Tab, Thumb navigation and synchronization of GUI elements
• Document information
• DOM information
• A multi tab HTML editor with source and preview tabs. Offering many functionalities, background and foreground colors, font, font size, alignment, bold, italic, underline, indent, out dent, save, load, print, text back and fore colors. Insert bulleted list, order list, link, image, br, hr, table, table cell properties, source highlighting, a tree populated with most common tags for insertion in source view, full drag drop
• Full favorites implementation using dynamic menus
• Cookies and Cache viewer and remover, per site or all
• Demonstration of just about all DWebBrowserEvents2, including popups.
• Usage of a static class to share forms and controls within the application
• Find and highlight in page
• Authentication
• Clear cache
• Loading images from an embedded image strip
• Search engine query

Final note

Although reasonable care has been taken to ensure the correctness of this implementation, expect bugs. This code should never be used in any application without proper verification and testing. When reporting bugs, sending suggestions or requests, or asking a question, please include information regarding IE and OS versions and service packs. Include as much detail as possible. This will be very helpful, not only for me to find and fix bugs or implement requested features, but for others who may be in a similar position.

License

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so.

History

05 June 2007 - version (1.0.0.3)

• Added AutomationTask_PerformEnterDataTextArea method - to automate text entry into textarea element
• Added AutomationTask_PerformSubmitForm method - to automate form submit
• Added an overload for InvokeScript which accepts an IWebBrowser2 interface
• Fixed return value of IDocHostShowUI.ShowMessage method

25 May 2007 - version (1.0.0.2)

I would like to thank everyone for sending their suggestions, bug reports, and feature requests.

• Properties

  • ObjectForScripting property. Allows JavaScript functions in an HTML page to call methods and properties of a an instance class passed to this property. Same as ObjectForScripting of C# Webbrowser wrapper control. An example of how to use this property has been provided in WinExternal class of frmMain
  • DocumentTitle
  • DocumentSource
  • Border3DEnabled - Webbrowser 3D border
  • ScrollBarsEnabled - Webbrowser Scrollbars
  • DownloadImages - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.DLIMAGES
  • DownloadSounds - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.BGSOUNDS
  • DownloadActiveX - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_DLACTIVEXCTLS
  • DownloadJava - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_JAVA
  • DownloadFrames - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_FRAMEDOWNLOAD
  • DownloadScripts - shortcut for DOCDOWNLOADCTLFLAG.NO_SCRIPTS

• Events

  • ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction - Enables the client to view all the HTTP and HTTPS request headers of webbrowser control
  • ProtocolHandlerOnResponse Enables the client to view all HTTP and HTTPS the response headers of webbrowser control
  • AllowFocusChange To notify client when focus is being changed
  • HTMLOMWindowServices_moveTo - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Moves the screen position of the upper-left corner of the application window to the specified coordinates
  • HTMLOMWindowServices_moveBy - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Moves the screen position of the application window by the specified offset values
  • HTMLOMWindowServices_resizeTo - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Changes the current size of the application window by the specified offset values.
  • HTMLOMWindowServices_resizeBy - IHTMLOMWindowServices implementation - Sets the size of the application window to the specified values

• Interfaces

  • IProtectFocus interface. IE7 and Vista only. Queries for permission to grab the focus when loading the page or when a script attempts to focus an element
  • IHTMLDocument2.write method definition, psarray param changed from object[] to object
  • IHTMLDocument2.writeln method definition, psarray param changed from object[] to object
  • IProtectFocus - IE7 + Vista - Queries for permission to grab the focus when loading the page or when a script attempts to focus an element
  • IHTMLOMWindowServices - XP sp2 - Enables applications that are hosting the WebBrowser Control to intercept the window object calls for manipulating the host window coordinates from Dynamic HTML (DHTML) script
  • IHTMLElementEvents2
  • IHTMLDataTransfer and cHTMLElementEvenets2 class to handle HTMLElementEvents2 of an HTMLElement. Used in frmHTMLEditor to demonstrate handling of internal drag drop of elements

• Methods

  • SetAllowHTMLDialogs - default true - set allow or disallow flag for HTML dialogs launched using showModelessDialog() and showModalDialog() methods using CBT Window Hook
  • GetAllowHTMLDialogs - get allow or disallow flag for HTML dialogs launched using showModelessDialog() and showModalDialog() methods using CBT Window Hook
  • StartHTTPAPP - Call to start receiving HTTP request and response headers via ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events
  • StopHTTPAPP - Call to stop ProtocolHandlerOnResponse and ProtocolHandlerOnBeginTransaction events for HTTP protocol
  • AutomationTask_PerformClickButton - Performs a click on a Button element with given name
  • AutomationTask_PerformClickLink - Performs a click on a Link element with given name
  • AutomationTask_PerformEnterData - Enters a given string into an input element with given name
  • AutomationTask_PerformSelectList - Selects a list item element with given list item value
  • AutomationTask_PerformSelectRadio - Selects a radio or checkbox element with given radio or checkbox name
  • GetElementsByName - Wrapper for IHTMLDocument3::getElementsByName