I went on vacation at the end of July and returned in early August. Life restarted in fits and starts.  But somehow I neglected to get this blog started again. Now that five months have passed, I think it is time to begin again.  So without further ado...

Had a question on a forum today about how to access the top master page if you are using nested master pages.  Seemed like a good time to break out some recursion. 

protected MasterPage UltimateMaster(Page ThePage)
{
      if (ThePage.Master == null)
      {
         //no master
         return null;
      }
      else
      {
         return UltimateMaster(ThePage.Master);
      }
}

//this will call itself until it runs out of Master Pages
protected MasterPage UltimateMaster(MasterPage ThePage)
{
      MasterPage TheMaster;

      if (ThePage.Master == null)
      {
           TheMaster = ThePage;
      }
      else
      {
           TheMaster = UltimateMaster(ThePage.Master);

      }
      return TheMaster;
}

I'd add these methods to a base web page class, so I can access them from all my pages.  Then it is easy to access the ultimate master page at any time...

MasterPage TheUltimateMaster = UltimateMaster(this);

To access any custom properties or methods that have been exposed, the master page needs to be cast to its strong type...

MyUltimateMasterPageType MyMaster = (MyUltimateMasterPageType) TheUltimateMaster;

Then the ultimate master page is ready to be used...

MyMaster.AUsefulMethod("SomethingSomehting");

I haven't had the occasion to use nested master pages, but I thought I'd offer this as an early Christmas present to anyone who does.

Happy Holidays.  Merry Christmas!