Switch between panels as if they are tabs in C#

Question

Let's think about a small program that has a form and two panels. There is a menu strip at the top and under the "File" menu there are 2 options: "New Form" and "Admin" (and "Quit"). There are 60 fields in different groupboxes in panel1 (a detailed registration form). A new form, panel1, is automatically shown when program is run. From the file menu, when user clicks "admin" option, panel1 should disappear and panel2 should become visible. Since both panels have common fields and functions to control/restrict input, I think I should use the same form. My current algoritm is as follows:

* When "New Form" is clicked:
- if panel1 is current one: clear every field in panel1
- if panel2 is current one: clear every field in panel2, hide panel2, show panel1

* When "Admin" is clicked:
- if panel1 is current one: clear every field in panel1, hide panel1, show panel2
- if panel2 is current one: clear every field in panel2

Is this mechanism correct or what is the best way to switch between different forms/panels in C#?

Mehmet KOPMAZYAN · Answer

how can I maximize child window removing its control bar (the bar at the top with minimize maximize close 'X' buttons on the right)? I want to make the same thing that I do with panels. Is it possible? Another question is about my 'weird' panel design. Can I completely delete panel and recreate it when needed (clear and then hide is not a good programming practice I think)? I tried dispose (I only remove panel directly not after removing its child fields) and after that I couldn't add panel to form again.

Narayan · Answer

Ideally you could have used a MDI Parent Form with menus in it and could have created separate forms(MDI Children) for each of your New Form and Admin. In case you are using some common control in many locations try to create an user control for the same which you can use wherever you need Lets say tomorrow you need same functonality in some other form just use them.