///--------------------------------------------------------------------
/// <summary>
/// Finds all automation elements that satisfy 
/// the specified condition(s).
/// </summary>
/// <param name="targetApp">
/// The automation element from which to start searching.
/// </param>
/// <returns>
/// A collection of automation elements satisfying 
/// the specified condition(s).
/// </returns>
///--------------------------------------------------------------------
private AutomationElementCollection FindAutomationElement(
    AutomationElement targetApp)
{
    if (targetApp == null)
    {
        throw new ArgumentException("Root element cannot be null.");
    }

    PropertyCondition conditionSupportsDock =
        new PropertyCondition(
        AutomationElement.IsDockPatternAvailableProperty, true);

    return targetApp.FindAll(
        TreeScope.Descendants, conditionSupportsDock);
}

///--------------------------------------------------------------------
/// <summary>
/// Gets the current DockPosition of a target.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="dockControl">
/// The automation element of interest.
/// </param>
/// <returns>
/// The current dock position.
/// </returns>
///--------------------------------------------------------------------
private DockPosition GetCurrentDockPosition(
    AutomationElement dockControl)
{
    if (dockControl == null)
    {
        throw new ArgumentNullException(
            "AutomationElement parameter must not be null.");
    }

    return (DockPosition)dockControl.GetCurrentPropertyValue(
        DockPattern.DockPositionProperty);
}