''' <summary>
''' Caches and retrieves properties for a list item by using CacheRequest.Activate.
''' </summary>
''' <param name="elementList">Element from which to retrieve a child element.</param>
''' <remarks>
''' This code demonstrates various aspects of caching. It is not intended to be 
''' an example of a useful method.
''' </remarks>
Private Sub CachePropertiesByActivate(ByVal elementList As AutomationElement)

    ' Set up the request.
    Dim myCacheRequest As New CacheRequest()
    myCacheRequest.Add(AutomationElement.NameProperty)
    myCacheRequest.Add(AutomationElement.IsEnabledProperty)
    myCacheRequest.Add(SelectionItemPattern.Pattern)
    myCacheRequest.Add(SelectionItemPattern.SelectionContainerProperty)

    Dim elementListItem As AutomationElement

    ' Obtain an element and cache the requested items.
    Using myCacheRequest.Activate()
        Dim myCondition As New PropertyCondition( _
            AutomationElement.IsSelectionItemPatternAvailableProperty, True)
        elementListItem = elementList.FindFirst(TreeScope.Children, myCondition)
    End Using


    ' The CacheRequest is now inactive.
    ' Retrieve the cached property and pattern.
    Dim pattern As SelectionItemPattern
    Dim itemName As String
    Try
        itemName = elementListItem.Cached.Name
        pattern = DirectCast(elementListItem.GetCachedPattern(SelectionItemPattern.Pattern), _
            SelectionItemPattern)
    Catch ex As InvalidOperationException
        Console.WriteLine("Object was not in cache.")
        Return
    End Try
    ' Alternatively, you can use TryGetCachedPattern to retrieve the cached pattern.
    Dim cachedPattern As Object = Nothing
    If True = elementListItem.TryGetCachedPattern(SelectionItemPattern.Pattern, cachedPattern) Then
        pattern = DirectCast(cachedPattern, SelectionItemPattern)
    End If

    ' Specified pattern properties are also in the cache.
    Dim parentList As AutomationElement = pattern.Cached.SelectionContainer

    ' The following line will raise an exception, because the HelpText property was not cached.
    '** String itemHelp = elementListItem.Cached.HelpText; **

    ' Similarly, pattern properties that were not specified in the CacheRequest cannot be 
    ' retrieved from the cache. This would raise an exception.
    '** bool selected = pattern.Cached.IsSelected; **

    ' This is still a valid call, even though the property is in the cache.
    ' Of course, the cached value and the current value are not guaranteed to be the same.
    itemName = elementListItem.Current.Name
End Sub