How to use jQuery Date Range Picker plugin in asp.net

I stepped by this page: http://www.filamentgroup.com/lab/date_range_picker_using_jquery_ui_16_and_jquery_ui_css_framework/ and let me tell you,this is one of the best and coolest daterangepicker in the web in my opinion,they did a great job with extending the original jQuery UI DatePicker.Of course I made enhancements to the original plugin (fixed few bugs) and added a new option (Clear) to clear the textbox. In this article I well use that updated plugin and show you how to use it in asp.net..you will definitely like it.

So,What do I need?

1- jQuery library : you can use 1.3.2 or 1.4.2 which is the latest version so far,in my article I will use the latest version.
2- jQuery UI library (1.8): As I mentioned earlier,daterangepicker plugin is based on the original jQuery UI DatePicker so that library should be included into your page.
3- jQuery DateRangePicker plugin : you can go to the author page or use the modified one (it's included in the attachment),in this article I will use the modified one.
4- Visual Studio 2005 or later : very funny :D[as if you don't already knows that],anyway in my article I will use VS 2008.

Note: in the attachment,I included all CSS and JS files so don't worry.

How to use it?

Then add this html:

First Date:
Second Date:

As you can see,it includes TextBox1 which we are going to attach the daterangepicker to it,2 labels to show you later on by code on how to read the date from the textbox and set it to the labels
Now we have to attach the daterangepicker to the textbox by using jQuery (Note:visit the author's website for more info on daterangerpicker's options and how to use them):

Finally,add this C# code:

protected void SubmitButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (TextBox1.Text.Trim().Length == 0)
        {
            return;
        }
        string selectedDate = TextBox1.Text;

        if (selectedDate.Contains("-"))
        {
            DateTime startDate;
            DateTime endDate;
            string[] splittedDates = selectedDate.Split("-".ToCharArray(), StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
            if (splittedDates.Count() == 2 && DateTime.TryParse(splittedDates[0], out startDate) && DateTime.TryParse(splittedDates[1], out endDate))
            {
                FirstDate.Text = startDate.ToShortDateString();
                SecondDate.Text = endDate.ToShortDateString();
            }
            else
            {
                //maybe the client has modified/altered the input i.e. hacking tools
            }
        }
        else
        {
            DateTime selectedDateObj;
            if (DateTime.TryParse(selectedDate, out selectedDateObj))
            {
                FirstDate.Text = selectedDateObj.ToShortDateString();
                SecondDate.Text = string.Empty;
            }
            else
            {
                //maybe the client has modified/altered the input i.e. hacking tools
            }
        }
    }

This is the way on how to read from the textbox,That's it!.

FAQ:

1-Why did you add this style?:

A:For two reasons:

• To show the Daterangepicker in a smaller size because it's original size is huge.
• To show you how to control the size of it.

2- Can I change the theme?
A: yes you can,you will notice that I'm using Redmond theme which you will find it in jQuery UI website,visit their website and download a different theme,you may also have to make modifications to the css of daterangepicker,it's all yours.

3- Why did you add a font size to the textbox?
A: To make the design look better,try to remove it and see by your self.

4- Can I register the script at codebehind?
A: yes you can

5- Why do I need to set attributes (readonly) and (unselectable) for the textbox ?

A:readonly will make the textbox not editable by the user,unselectable will block the blinking typing cursor from appearing if the user clicked on the textbox,you will notice that both attributes are necessary to be used together,you can't just use one of them...for logical reasons of course.

Finally,I hope everyone liked the article and as always,your feedbacks are always welcomed and if anyone have any suggestions or made any modifications that might be useful for anyone else then please post it here and at at the author's website.

P.S : There is no harm in posting comments