Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Problem solve
Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.
Microsoft tools choices for DevOps
Alva Powell, CTO at The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, discusses which Microsoft tools his organization uses for DevOps. Continue Reading
WAPA: What does Microsoft offer now?
Microsoft's Windows Azure Platform Appliance integrates private, hybrid and public clouds. Continue Reading
Choosing the best strategy for Silverlight developers
Learn why many Silverlight developers are trying to figure out the best way to transition their existing Silverlight applications to HTML5. Continue Reading
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Pay-as-you-go Windows Azure BizTalk services changes EAI and EDI
Learn about the pay-as-you-go Windows Azure BizTalk Services that were released at TechEd 2013. Continue Reading
Native versus JavaScript/HTML5 development for Window 8 apps
Learn the advantages and disadvantages in using HTML5/JavaScript for deployment. Continue Reading
Where can I find Visual Basic 6.0 DataEnvironment code samples?
Get information on the best places to find Visual Basic DataEnvironment 6.0 code samples.Continue Reading
Testing methods in Visual Studio 2010
This is the second part in a two part series on unit testing in Visual Studio 2010.Continue Reading
Unit testing in Visual Studio 2010
Visual Studio 2010 contains a unit testing framework, and I’ll show you how to use it to automate your own unit tests.Continue Reading
Understanding the testing tools in Visual Studio 2010
Get an overview of the testing tools available in Visual Studio. You will learn which testing features are in which Visual Studio edition.Continue Reading
Soliciting hand drawn feedback from your users
There are many instances when using screen capture is essential in communicating. In this tip, contributor Walt Ritscher explains how to create hand drawn notes on screen captured images with WPF InkCanvas control.Continue Reading
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Changing the cursor in WPF
Expert Walt Ritscher discusses how in Windows Presentation Foundation you can set the mouse pointer for any element using the Cursor property.Continue Reading
Setting defaults for null values in data sources in WPF
Dealing with null values in data sources can be tricky. Windows Presentation Foundation has built in support for binding to null data sources.Continue Reading
Getting a DialogResult
When interacting with the user, you need to gather information for use later in the application. Dialog windows are a common way to solicit this information.Continue Reading
Performance tips for Visual Studio 2010
Find performance tips that may accelerate your experience while using Visual Studio 2010.Continue Reading
Managing large databases with SQL Server partitioning
When you're dealing with really large data sets (think in terabytes of data) it's especially important to save time wherever you can. Partitioning, and the resulting partition elimination, can save hours of query time in these huge databases.Continue Reading
Introduction to Visual Studio’s new Scrum 1.0 template
Visual Studio’s new Scrum 1.0 template is the perfect process template for agile managers. It combines a simple, flexible, and easy to use interface with powerful reports and work item types to help manage scrum-based projects.Continue Reading
Tooltips in child elements
A tooltip is a simple concept. You put a tooltip on a WPF control and whenever the mouse hovers over the control WPF launches the tooltip. This article explores some of these idiosyncrasies in WPF.Continue Reading
Draw a bounding rectangle during selection
The bounding rectangle's purpose is to provide feedback to the designer during the selection process. It's a convenient way to show what is currently selected before applying the next operation.Continue Reading
Using images in tooltips
The tooltip came from an idea regarding how to show contextual help in the user interface and is now considered an essential part of a UX designer's tool bag.Continue Reading
Working with ColorDialog in WPF
In Windows, there is a native ColorDialog window. This dialog is not very friendly to WPF applications however. This tip shows how to force the dialog to give you the color in the correct WPF format.Continue Reading
WPF: Force a shape to fill area while keeping stroke thickness
Enlarging a shape in WPF is simple enough. But if you want to auto-expand to fill a space you need to do some work. Using a ViewBox makes the shape expand, but it expands everything including the stroke drawn around the outside of the shape. This ...Continue Reading
Setting up the XAML editor in Visual Studio 2010
Nothing stirs up controversy like discussing naming conventions or code styling. Learn some configuration settings for the XAML editor in Visual Studio 2010.Continue Reading
Panning and zooming in WPF
Adding panning and zooming to your application is a little more work but it's a nice feature to add to your application. Learn how to show an image to the user in Windows Presentation Foundation.Continue Reading
Using the UniformGrid panel
UniformGrid creates a mesh of equally sized cells. It's available in WPF and Silverlight and is very handy for creating game-boards for games like chess.Continue Reading
Screen capture in a WPF application
Using a screen capture tool is second nature to most computer users and your customers may expect to find screen capture features in your application. How much work is required to add this feature to a WPF application?Continue Reading
ASP.NET Ajax tutorial
This reference introduces developers to Microsoft's ASP.NET Ajax framework with a plethora of tips, tutorials and webcasts.Continue Reading
Special characters in XAML
XAML files are a form of XML. As such, they have to follow the rules of XML. There is one XML rule that can cause trouble when working with strings within attributes in XAML, known as special character.Continue Reading
Working with Keyboard input in WPF
Learn more about working with Keyboard input in Windows Presentation Foundation with this tip about Keyboard classes.Continue Reading
Understanding Default values for Dependency Properties
Understanding Windows Presentation Foundation Dependency Properties is a bit confusing when first learning WPF. Learn how to tap into the power of Dependency Properties.Continue Reading
Understanding line stroke patterns
WPF provides a number of useful shapes to use in your UI shapes. Learn how to best utilize line stroke patterns.Continue Reading
PriorityBinding in WPF
PriorityBinding derives from Binding and is a variation of MultiBinding, a type of binding where you specify multiple sources in your XAML.Continue Reading
Simplify your Binding Converter with a Custom Markup Extension
Value Converters are a useful addition to a WPF. If a value converter is specified in a binding, the source data is funneled to the converter before arriving at the binding destination.Continue Reading
Static methods are a code smell
Static methods work best as only utility methods. Learn what constitutes a code smell and how to best avoid these potential issues.Continue Reading
Use Azure development storage from unit tests
Learn the two options for your persistent data storage If you're writing an application that's going to use Windows Azure.Continue Reading
Silverlight tutorial
Silverlight is Microsoft's framework for building browser- and platform-agnostic Web apps. This resource will help developers see what Silverlight can do for them.Continue Reading
Use the WPF blur effect to focus attention in your UI
With WPF 3.5 SP1 Microsoft has rewritten the effects framework and dramatically improved their performance at the same time. Learn how to use the Blur effect to make your UI more effective.Continue Reading
How to access cross domain Web services from Silverlight without a policy file
With the release of Silverlight 2 and now version 3 you are provided with rich Web service support. Silverlight provides support to access many types of Web services including POX, REST, and SOAP services.Continue Reading
How to use jQuery to solve Javascript browser compatibility problems
Javascript compatibility between Firefox, Internet Explorer and other browsers can make Ajax and Javascript effects a headache. Each browser does things just a bit differently, forcing Web developers to check which browser the user has and branch ...Continue Reading
How to list fonts in WPF using markup extensions and data templates
Learn how to pull static data into WPF with XAML's x:Static markup extension. In this tip, we'll show you how to list font families, with each font's name in its own font, in WPF. This method uses markup extensions and data templates.Continue Reading
User Account Control (UAC): How to develop code for standard users
One of the most annoying features of Vista is the dreaded UAC prompt, but it's actually there for security reasons. Instead of telling users to work with UAC turned off, learn the top 3 tips for how to develop code that works in UAC's standard user ...Continue Reading
Use PHP with Visual Studio to create Web sites
PHP developers can use PHP preview engines from within Visual Studio in order to access a Model View Controller. It is also possile to do simultaneous, interactive debugging of both server side and client side code using a tool known as VS.Php.Continue Reading
Visual Basic 2008 -- book excerpt
Visual Basic coding is not rocket science, yet a lot of new programmers are intimidated by it. It is possible to be self taught, really.Continue Reading
Designing Windows Communication Foundation service contracts
Michele Leroux Bustamante describes the different types of contracts used with WCF services inlcuding ServiceContracts and DataContracts. She also shows the two approaches to developing contracts, Code-First and Contract-First.Continue Reading
Using the Visual Studio 2005 DataSet Designer to build a data access layer
In this article Brian Noyes shows how to use the new features in the Visual Studio 2005 DataSet Designer to create Typed DataSets and Adapters to provide a data access layer for your applications. He then demonstrates how to extend the generated ...Continue Reading
Security interoperability with .NET/WSE and WebLogic Workshop 8.1
In this article, Michele Leroux Bustamante shows how to create interoperable applications in .NET with WSE and WebLogic Workshop using web services that implement the WS-Security specification. In particular, she shows how to use UsernameTokens in a...Continue Reading
ClickOnce: Automated smart client deployment
In this article, Brian Noyes presents the options currently available for smart client deployment and how to choose among them. He then goes into detail about the new .NET 2.0 feature called ClickOnce for deploying smart client applications.Continue Reading
The Software Factory: Making the most of software reuse
Problems inherent in software development are addressed by Software Factory architecture using design models, patterns and domain-specific languages.Continue Reading
The CTE, the hierarchical query and SQL Server 2005
Dan Sullivan shows how to use Common Table Expressions to query hierarchical data in SQL Server 2005. Hierarchical queries combine recursive SELECT commands to provide the functionality to query self-referencing data.Continue Reading
SQL Server 2005 recursive functions and the CTE
Dan Sullivan shows how to use SQL Server 2005's new Common Table Expressions to write recursive functions. Starting with a C# implementation he then goes on to demonstrate how to build the same recursion in a T-SQL function.Continue Reading
Update desktops automatically using the AppUpdater component
Using the AppUpdater available through WinForms is quite simple. You add it to your client application's main form. When your application runs, the AppUpdater queries a configured Web site for updated versions of any of the assemblies that are part ...Continue Reading
Localization practices for .NET 2.0: It's still about the architecture
Michele Leroux Bustamante shows you how to architect an application in the .NET Framework 2.0 to allow for localization of resources and text. The article discusses how to make use of external resources and satellite assemblies as well as the affect...Continue Reading
Creating custom ASP.NET 2.0 profile providers
In this article, Shawn Wildermuth shows how profile providers are used to enable ASP.NET 2.0 applications to maintain user profile information on web site visitors as well as how to implement your own searchable custom profile provider.Continue Reading
Choose the right .NET data provider, optimize application performance
In this article, John Goodson discusses the choices a .NET developer faces in using the ADO.NET/System.Data elements of the Framework Class Library. He discusses how to choose between a DataSet and a DataReader, what's wrong with the CommandBuilder,...Continue Reading
The fallacy of the data layer -- or, a new architectural model for software designs
Most data sources are not exclusive to a specific application. They are shared by numerous applications. Thus, advanced architects will challenge the traditional three-layer/three-tier view of applications and consider a new architectural model for ...Continue Reading
How to avoid regression bugs while adding new features
MS MVP Patrick Smacchia uses his own dog food to efficiently review changes in versions of NDepend code analysis tool, for which he is the lead developer. The software pinpoints places in programs where changes were made, in turn speeding regression...Continue Reading
Manage application processes with Windows Workflow Foundation
Windows Workflow Foundation is part of the .NET 3.0 Framework. Using it, you can build portions of your application that orchestrate, or manage, the process flow for the use cases your application supports.Continue Reading
How to build an Enterprise Service Bus
Do Not Publish. This is a test. Has issues.Continue Reading
Beginning .NET mobile application development
Two tutorials from Thom Robbins offer insight into mobile application development for the .NET Framework.Continue Reading
Generate RSA public and private keys, export to XML
This tip shows how RSA keys can be saved to disk as an XML file. The XML files can then be used to make an RSA secure channelContinue Reading
Put VB.NET events in the hands of AddHandler
This technical tip for intermediate VB.NET developers offers a look back at the AddHandler feature and how it addresses scenarios when there is no object variable to manipulate.Continue Reading
Migrating add-ins from VBA to VSTO
Many enterprises have stuck with VBA solutions because of legacy applications. A recent MSDN tip shows what developers can gain by migrating to Visual Studio Tools for Office.Continue Reading
Hashing strings with any algorithm
Cryptographic hash functions ensure than a message was not altered when it was sent over an insecure channel. This C# function generates the hash of a string based on your favorite algorithm.Continue Reading
Breaking Changes in .NET Framework 2.0
MSDN's Breaking Changes page lets developers see what may work differently, or not at all, when an application moves from .NET 1.x to 2.0. Ed Tittel explains how this will affect developers and offers a few examples of breaking changes.Continue Reading
ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit: A large, open-source framework
Microsoft's ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit promises a plethora of free controls for common Ajax functionality.Continue Reading
Visual Basic 6 and Visual Basic .NET: What's the difference?
The difference between Visual Basic 6 and Visual Basic .NET is the King of FAQs. The answer has to do with object software technology.Continue Reading
.NET Framework Tools: CLR Debugger
Though it has a few limitations, Microsoft's CLR Debugger, based on the look and feel of the VS 2005 debugger, is a must for anyone who works with the CLR, Ed Tittel writes.Continue Reading
Visual Basic .NET and printing forms
Changes to Visual Basic .NET and WinForms have not made printing forms any easier than it should be. Here we offer help with this FAQ.Continue Reading
Three must-have tools: Version control, issue tracking, unit testing
Developers argue which tools are really required. Every topnotch developer I know would agree three core areas need to be covered: Version control, issue tracking and unit testing.Continue Reading
Looking to write new VB apps in .NET?
A reader asks: "What is the difference between Visual Studio Net and Visual Basic .NET? We are looking to write new VB apps in .NET."Continue Reading
Automatically create users with VBScript
This VBScript will automatically create and configure users, including exchange mailbox, home drive and user groups.Continue Reading
Windows Forms: Overriding the OnClosing method
Add VBScript scripting to your .NET app with the scripting control
Ever want to add macro or scripting support to your Visual Basic .NET application?Continue Reading
How to retrieve the MAC address of a client using ASP.NET
Converting a VB Windows application to VB .NET Web application
Here our experts address how to converti a VB Windows application to a VB .NET Web application.Continue Reading
Cool tool: Instant C# converts from VB.NET
A review of a tool that can convert VB.NET code to C#.Continue Reading
Painting in the non-client area
Validating the textbox entry for date format
Building a typed dataset in Visual Studio
A procedure for building a typed dataset in Visual Studio.Continue Reading
How do I write the following lines of code in C#?
Enabling the storage of an audio file in a XML file
What does the PostBack method do?
Managing C# concurrency problems: C# .NET database applications
Converting VB6 adodb.recordset to VB.NET
How do I run a DOS command in .NET and place the results in a text file with specified path?
Here we demonstrate how to run a DOS command in VB .NET and place the results in a text file with the appropriate path specified.Continue Reading
Debugging design-time functionality
Debugging design-time components can be a little tricky.Continue Reading
How do I write multiple text lines to a rich text box?
ColdFusion vs. VS.NET
Make a datagrid update changes from all DB rows by clicking an update button
Toggling Boolean values
A simpler way to toggle Boolean values than the traditional method.Continue Reading
The .NET Compact Framework
A look at some of the benefits of using the .NET Compact Framework.Continue Reading
How do I get the UNC path from a drive letter in .NET?
Share session state between ASP and ASP.NET apps
Learn how -- and how not -- to share Session variables between your old and new apps.Continue Reading
How do I store and view PDF files in a SQL database?
What is the .NET equivalent to the WshNetwork object?
Easy .NET Framework application deployment
Leverage the .NET Framework to create a simple application installation process in Visual Studio .NET.Continue Reading
Save/load to XML while preserving a an animated GIF's file properties
Unchecking items in a CheckedListBox
How do I map the file path and URL for my project to the same server?
Calling another form from a click button in VB.NET
Use Windows Media Player in .NET
Intro to incorporating the player in apps.Continue Reading