The GridControl class is the "core" class that represents Xceed Grid for WinForms. When the grid is dropped on a form, an instance of the GridControl class is created which will allow you to display your data. If you are creating your grid via code, then you create an instance of the GridControl class and add it to your form. 

Unlike other grid controls, the GridControl class is used to display both data bound and unbound data and even supports combinations of both. There is no need to learn another class if you want to want to provide your data manually (unbound).

Grid elements

The grid (we will refer to the GridControl class as the grid from here on), once populated with data, contains various grid elements which are used to contain the data, provide the grid with a specific appearance, etc. These grid elements are cells, rows, columns and groups.  Detailed information regarding each of these grid elements will be provided later on in the overview. 

Once the grid is populated with data (and thus contains grid elements), it is important to think of it as a panel that contains elements. This means that events will be received by the elements the grid contains and not the grid itself. 

Every grid element has a common base: the GridElement class. This means that all grid elements share common properties, methods and events so once again, once you know one grid element, you basically know them all!