Update:
For a more detailed explanation on where the following should be placed, particularly in reference to webforms, it is recommended to access the Site.Master page.
Incorporating into Site.Master Page:
Assuming you have retained the default code generated by Visual Studio, you should locate the following lines within the <Scripts></Scripts> tags:
<asp:ScriptReference Name="MsAjaxBundle" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="jquery" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="bootstrap" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="respond" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="WebForms.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/WebForms.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="WebUIValidation.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/WebUIValidation.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="MenuStandards.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/MenuStandards.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="GridView.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/GridView.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="DetailsView.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/DetailsView.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="TreeView.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/TreeView.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="WebParts.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/WebParts.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="Focus.js" Assembly="System.Web" Path="~/Scripts/WebForms/Focus.js" />
<asp:ScriptReference Name="WebFormsBundle" />
This indicates that jQuery and Bootstrap are being imported into the pages. JQuery serves as a JavaScript library facilitating ease of development, while Bootstrap enhances styling with minimal effort through predefined classes.
The previously mentioned code snippet contains the following additional part by default:
<div class="navbar navbar-inverse navbar-fixed-top">
<div class="container">
<div class="navbar-header">
<button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target=".navbar-collapse">
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
</button>
<a class="navbar-brand" runat="server" href="~/">Application name</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-collapse collapse">
<ul class="nav navbar-nav">
<li><a runat="server" href="~/">Home</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="~/About">About</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="~/Contact">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
You might find this familiar as it closely resembles your original post's markup structure. To include a drop-down list, you can refer to the below code highlighting a dropdown feature and incorporate required elements into the provided code block:
<div class="navbar navbar-inverse navbar-fixed-top">
<div class="container">
<div class="navbar-header">
<button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target=".navbar-collapse">
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
</button>
<a class="navbar-brand" runat="server" href="~/">Application name</a>
</div>
<div class="navbar-collapse collapse">
<ul class="nav navbar-nav">
<li><a runat="server" href="~/">Home</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="~/About">About</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="~/Contact">Contact</a></li>
<li class="dropdown">
<a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">Page 4
<span class="caret"></span></a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu">
<li><a runat="server" href="#">Page 1-1</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="#">Page 1-2</a></li>
<li><a runat="server" href="#">Page 1-3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
By implementing this, your navbar along with the dropdown functionality should respond accurately upon user interaction.
Incorporating jQuery:
It's advisable to load any external scripts, especially larger ones, towards the end for optimized performance. This ensures the page does not wait long for loading content to provide users with a seamless experience. Though ASP.NET MVC handles this aspect better than Webforms, adherence to best practices is beneficial.
Returning to the Site.Master page, proceed to its conclusion right before the closing `' tag. Place the following script snippet:
<script>
$(document).ready(function () {
$(".dropdown").hover(function () {
//toggle the open class (on/off)
$(this).toggleClass("open");
});
})
</script>
To ensure correct execution, the final layout should resemble...:
... ... ...
... ... ...
<div class="container body-content">
<asp:ContentPlaceHolder ID="MainContent" runat="server">
</asp:ContentPlaceHolder>
<hr />
<footer>
<p>© <%: DateTime.Now.Year %> - My ASP.NET Application</p>
</footer>
</div>
</form>
<script>
//this line means we won't do anything until the page is ready for it
$(document).ready(function () {
$(".dropdown").hover(function () {
//toggle the open class (on/off)
$(this).toggleClass("open");
});
})
</script>
</body>
</html>
Prior to the Update:
Note: Assuming usage of bootstrap and jQuery due to ASP.NET tagging and resemblance of class names to bootstrap syntax.
A simplified method utilizing bootstrap and jQuery includes the following approach:
jsfiddle: https://jsfiddle.net/tzv3t12c/9/
Bootstrap Nav Template:
<nav class="navbar navbar-inverse">
<div class="container-fluid">
<div class="navbar-header">
<a class="navbar-brand" href="#">WebSiteName</a>
</div>
<ul class="nav navbar-nav">
<li class="active"><a href="#">Home</a></li>
<!-- The li element requiring manual adjustment on hover.
Simulating the bootstrap event triggered when the link is clicked.
While it may lack full functionality compared to bootstrap's click event,
it provides quick implementation for interim requirements.
-->
<li class="dropdown">
<a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">Page 1
<span class="caret"></span></a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu">
<li><a href="#">Page 1-1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Page 1-2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Page 1-3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#">Page 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Page 3</a></li>
<li class="dropdown">
<a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="#">Page 4
<span class="caret"></span></a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu">
<li><a href="#">Page 1-1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Page 1-2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Page 1-3</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</nav>
Essential jQuery Functionality:
//attach hover event to elements with dropdown class
$(".dropdown").hover(function(){
//toggle the open class (on/off)
$(this).toggleClass("open");
});
Rationale:
The objective here is to replicate bootstrap's behavior upon activating dropdown links via simulated clicks. By observing the HTML alterations using developer tools such as Chrome's console (F12), it becomes evident that the addition of the open class to the li marked as dropdown signifies transition activation. Other related modifications during the actual bootstrap click action should also be considered for encompassing complete simulation beyond mere class toggling.