'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
''' <summary>
''' Obtains a DockPattern control pattern from an 
''' automation element.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="targetControl">
''' The automation element of interest.
''' </param>
''' <returns>
''' A DockPattern object.
''' </returns>
'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
Private Function GetDockPattern( _
ByVal targetControl As AutomationElement) As DockPattern
    Dim dockPattern As DockPattern = Nothing

    Try
        dockPattern = DirectCast( _
        targetControl.GetCurrentPattern(dockPattern.Pattern), _
        DockPattern)
    Catch exc As InvalidOperationException
        ' Object doesn't support the DockPattern control pattern
        Return Nothing
    End Try

    Return dockPattern

End Function 'GetDockPattern

'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
''' <summary>
''' Sets the dock position of a target.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="dockControl">
''' The automation element of interest.
''' </param>
''' <param name="dockPosition">
''' The requested DockPosition.
''' </param>
'''--------------------------------------------------------------------
Private Sub SetDockPositionOfControl( _
ByVal dockControl As AutomationElement, _
ByVal dockPosition As DockPosition)
    If dockControl Is Nothing Then
        Throw New ArgumentNullException( _
        "AutomationElement parameter must not be null.")
    End If

    Try
        Dim dockPattern As DockPattern = GetDockPattern(dockControl)
        If dockPattern Is Nothing Then
            Return
        End If
        dockPattern.SetDockPosition(dockPosition)
    Catch exc As InvalidOperationException
        ' When a control is not able to dock.
        ' TO DO: error handling
    End Try

End Sub