dynamically created HTML button serverclick function not working - asp.net

Question

I need to create an HTML button dynamically in my ASP.NET C# codebehind, I must insert this button in my literal control, I use following syntax:
literal.Text+=<button id=\"MyButton\" runat=\"server\" OnServerClick=\"MyButton_Click\">Click Me</Button>";
button is displayed, it causes postback but my server click function (MyButton_Click) is not called, what is going wrong here? I should certainly use a literal, can I use ASP.NET controls in my literal?
I want to call a function after this button causes postback, can I use another objects in my literal? I should certainly use literals
thanks for your answers, I have a lot of codes in my literal, something like this:
......
......
dynTable += "</td></tr>";
dynTable += "<tr><td></td></tr>";
dynTable += "<tr><td></td></tr>";
dynTable += "<tr><td></td></tr>";
dynTable += "<tr><td></td></tr>";
dynTable += "<tr><td align=\"left\">";
dynTable += "<button id=\"MyButton\" type=\"submit\" runat=\"server\" OnServerClick=\"MyButton_Click\">Foo</button>";
dynTable += "</tr></td> </table> ";
}
}
//=====================================
dynTable += " </td>";
dynTable += " </tr>";
dynTable += " </table>";
dynTable += " </td>";
dynTable += " </tr>";
dynTable += " </table>";
dynTable += " </td>";
dynTable += " </tr>";
}
dynTable += "</table>";
}
ReviewPlace.Text = dynTable;
ReviewPlace is my asp.net literal object

Answer 1

You can't add Server - Html/Web controls that way. You have to create an object of Control in Page_Init/Page_Load event and add it to PlaceHolder's Controls collection.
Add PlaceHolder1 control in markup (.aspx)
<form id="form1" runat="server">
<asp:PlaceHolder ID="PlaceHolder1" runat="server"></asp:PlaceHolder>
</form>
and write Page_Init handler,
protected void Page_Init(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
System.Web.UI.HtmlControls.HtmlButton button = new System.Web.UI.HtmlControls.HtmlButton();
button.InnerText = "OK";
//Event handler - Lambda (anonymous method) expression
button.ServerClick += (sa, ea) =>
{
Response.Write("button is pressed");
};
//Named Event handler
button.ServerClick += new EventHandler(button_ServerClick);
PlaceHolder1.Controls.Add(button);
}
void button_ServerClick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Response.Write("Another handler");
}
EDIT: I suggest you to use jQuery/JavaScript - ajax to request server resources instead of handling server-events if you wish/want to generate markup by hand. Alternative solution to this issue is to use Server constrols - especially GridView/ListView and I'm sure these controls and binding mechanism will solve that issue.
Another possibility is use of Table Server control. Have a look at sample:
//For ease of use I'v subclass the `TableRow`
public class Row : TableRow
{
public Row(int col)
{
for(int i=0;i<col;i++)
Cells.Add(new TableCell());
}
public TableCell this[int index]
{
get { return Cells[index]; }
}
}
and Page_Init code to populate Table object.
protected void Page_Init(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Table table = new Table();
Row row1 = new Row(3);
row1[0].ColumnSpan = 3;
row1[0].Text = "Search";
table.Rows.Add(row1);
Row row2 = new Row(3);
row2[0].Text = "Enter keyword";
row2[1].Controls.Add(new TextBox());
table.Rows.Add(row2);
Row row3 = new Row(3);
row3[0].ColumnSpan = 3;
Button button = new Button();
button.Text = "Search";
button.Click += (sa, ea) => Response.Write("Button is pressed");
row3[0].Controls.Add(button);
table.Rows.Add(row3);
PlaceHolder1.Controls.Add(table);
}

Answer 2

As AVD points out, this isn't a very good idea.
However, if you do decide to continue down this path, you will need to post back by calling the client script function __doPostBack() function with the correct __EVENTTARGET and __EVENTARGUMENT properties set.
This SO post shows a quick and dirty hack workaround here for doing this, by placing a hidden asp:button on the screen, and then changing your code to call the hidden button click.