Are template parts and custon controls same?

[Anil]

In InfoPath 2003, there used to be custom controls and in IP 2007 I see
template parts. Is template part replacement to custom controls? If not then
what is the diff?

Can we develop template part once with validation logic, rules , database
connectivity, add them in library and the reuse to create new forms just to
have consistency in same field throughout all forms and avoid rework?

Thanks,
Anil

 

[Greg Collins [InfoPath MVP]]

Custom Controls are ActiveX controls that you can add to a form.

Template Parts are chunks of InfoPath UI that can be reused throughout many forms, and that supposedly can be autoupdated whenever a part changes.