Tips

Tips

• 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

• LINQ beyond queries: Strong-typed refection

  LINQ makes queries a first-class concept in C#. LINQ can be used for way more than just querying, though -- think lambda expressions and strong-typed reflection.  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

• A SOA versioning covenant

  Rocky Lhotka challenges the common concept of contract based services for their inflexibility, particularly with regards to service versioning. His idea instead is to create a covenant based on the semantic contract allowing for maximum flexibility ...  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

• Ten ways to unit test your .NET code

  Verifiable code is less likely to cause problems during development and after delivery; however, it can often be difficult to write an adequate unit test, due to the way your production code is architected. In this column, Justin Gehtland looks at ...  Continue Reading

• NDepends: How you look at code

  A tool for code analysis looks at .NET assemblies of an application and generates reports containing design quality metrics, warnings and diagrams.  Continue Reading

• On migrating from VBA to VSTO

  The release of Visual Studio 2008 provides further compulsion to migrate applications from VBA to VSTO. Microsoft addressed some best practices for these types of migrations at DevConnections Las Vegas.  Continue Reading

• Assembly versioning in the .NET Framework 2.0

  Assembly-resolution mechanisms for the .NET Framework 2.0 provide a view into the CLR, focusing on versioning and safe execution of assemblies sitting side-by-side.  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

• More Visual Studio 2008 goodies show up

  As the Visual Studio 2008 release nears, more and more elements in the Microsoft information arsenal keep appearing on the Visual Studio Developer Center.  Continue Reading

• Visual Basic 2005 data types and variables -- book excerpt

  This chapter demonstrates how Visual Basic 2005 programmers can ease the sometimes painful process of printing from VB applications.  Continue Reading

• .NET Compact Framework: Less is more, especially on mobile devices

  If you're developing for mobile devices, you're using the .NET Compact Framework. This tip introduces the slimmed-down version of .NET and points to helpful resources for using it.  Continue Reading

• For Telerik, RAD is great, not bad

  Telerik RadControls bring .NET developers a wide range of useful controls for Web applications, not to mention better productivity, Ed Tittel writes.  Continue Reading

• Choosing Visual Studio 2008 tools and technologies

  As Microsoft gears up for the formal launch of Visual Studio 2008, helpful resources keep showing up at the Visual Studio 2008 Developer Center.  Continue Reading

• On Extension Methods in C# and .NET Framework 3.5

  Blogger Alex Hoffman's "Adventures in .NET 3.5" offers quite a bit of advice for the C# architect on working with Extensions Methods.  Continue Reading

• Visual Basic 2008 and closures

  In Visual Basic 2008, closures let programmers access an environment from more than one function. The VB team recently blogged about closures and how they work.  Continue Reading

• Beginning LINQ development, Part 2

  LINQ, the Language Integrated Query, dramatically changes database programming in Visual Studio 2008. Here we examine the ins and outs of LINQ to SQL queries.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft's XAML recasts UI development

  XAML, the Extensible Application Markup Language, signifies Microsoft's new approach to defining and building the user interface.  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

• With Expression Studio, Microsoft reaches out to creative professionals

  The combination of Expression Studio for designers and Silverlight 1.0 for developers should bring about some killer Rich Internet Applications, Ed Tittel writes.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Windows CardSpace development

  CardSpace is Microsoft's identity management tool for the .NET Framework 3.0. This updated tip introduces the technology and discusses how it aligns with the rest of .NET 3.0.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Windows Workflow Foundation development, Part 2

  This tip reexamines Windows Workflow Foundation with a closer look at tracking services, setting rules and conditions and making the most of the runtime's Base Class Library.  Continue Reading

• VSTA: How lightweight can you get?

  Visual Studio Tools for Applications helps ISVs and other developers customize applications buildtaround Office 2007. Here we take a closer look at VSTA.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Windows Presentation Foundation development, Part 2

  This tip revisits Windows Presentation Foundation with a look at custom controls, WinForms interoperability, XAML, data binding and more.  Continue Reading

• New version of Dundas Gauge for .NET available

  Dundas Gauge is one of Ed Tittel's favorite tools. The latest version supports Ajax events, 3D styles and the .NET Framework 3.0.  Continue Reading

• Understanding the Visual Studio 2005 SP1 update for Windows Vista

  Up to speed on Visual Studio 2005 but not Windows Vista? Then you ought to check out VS 2005 Service Pack 1 for WIndows Vista, which brings the IDE in line with the new OS.  Continue Reading

• Letting WinForms and WPF controls coexist

  It is possible to leave WinForms applications intact and still add the eye candy of WPF, Brian Noyes of IDesign explained at Tech Ed 2007.  Continue Reading

• WinForms development using SQL Server 2005 and Visual Basic 2005

  WinForms developers looking for advice on data-driven development in Visual Basic 2005 may have to look no further than a new eight-part video tutorial from Microsoft.  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 channel  Continue Reading

• Introducing WPF: Chapter 1 of Essential Windows Presentation Foundation

  This book excerpt offers a Windows Presentation Foundation introduction. It covers XAML and details the rich media and visual effects possible with WPF.  Continue Reading

• The Daylight Savings Time change and the .NET Framework

  The Daylight Savings Time switch earlier this year did more than throw off Outlook calendars. The .NET Framework needed a bit of a tweak to accommodate the change.  Continue Reading

• The Orcas are coming! Visual Studio Orcas, that is

  Visual Studio Orcas promises productivity enhancements and a beefed up version of the .NET Framework. This tip reviews what developers can play with now that Orcas is in beta.  Continue Reading

• Need Web services security? Dig into WSE 3.0 for Microsoft .NET

  Web Services Enhancements 3.0 lets developers add digital signatures, policy-driven security and bulk binary data transfers for Web services built atop the .NET Framework.  Continue Reading

• MSXML: In with the new, out with the old, and some word on pending futures

  Ed Tittel dives the XML Team Weblog for some insight into the future of Microsoft Core XML Services in light of the Windows Vista release and some new W3C specs.  Continue 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

• Using 2007 Office System Tools for Visual Studio 2005

  Visual Studio 2005 now sports a set of tools for the 2007 Microsoft Office System. Ed Tittel takes a look at the tools that are available and what can be done with them.  Continue Reading

• Learning .NET: Tips for getting started with .NET development

  Our "Getting Started" tip series provides an introductory look at leading-edge technology like ASP.NET AJAX, .NET 3.0 and Visual Studio Team System.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Visual Studio Team System development

  With Visual Studio Team System, Microsoft brings collaboration into the SDLC. This tip will help you get the most out of the product's planning, management and testing features.  Continue Reading

• Beginning LINQ development, Part 1

  The Language Integrated Query integrates data queries right into VB 2008 and C# 3.0 and works with objects, XML and SQL. This tip highlights resources for getting to know LINQ.  Continue Reading

• Beginning ASP.NET AJAX development, Part 3

  In the latest tip in this series, Ed Tittel considers the ASP.NET AJAX road map and links to resources for both client-side and server-side development.  Continue Reading

• Chart FX offers great data visualizations

  Software FX offers an award winning (and sizable) collection of offerings designed to enhance and extend .NET applications, particularly those created within Visual Studio.  Continue Reading

• Getting started with ASP.NET AJAX development, Part 2

  In this tip we revisit ASP.NET AJAX development and present resources for getting the most out of server-side programming, the UpdatePanel and add-in controls.  Continue Reading

• Using Office 2007 Ribbon UI development tools

  Blogger Bil Simser has put together a list of the toolkits that are available for developing Office 2007 "Ribbon"-style user interface elements in applications.  Continue Reading

• DevPartner SecurityChecker 2.5 does just that for ASP.NET sites

  Ed Tittel reviews Compuware's tool for scanning ASP.NET application source code and finding known security problems.  Continue Reading

• The Actions Pane: Ch. 15 of Visual Studio Tools for Office

  This book excerpt shows how to use VSTO to customize the Actions Pane, which blends Office 2003's Document Actions and task pane.  Continue Reading

• Unit Testing: Ch. 14 of Professional Visual Studio 2005 Team System

  This chapter looks at the ins and outs of unit testing in .NET, from writing tests to analyzing the results and making sure a unit test covers an application's entire code base.  Continue Reading

• Get to know the Windows Vista Developer Story

  If you want to get to know Vista, then the Windows Vista Developer Story, with articles on .NET 3.0, IIS and many other features of the new OS, makes a good starting point.  Continue Reading

• Here comes .NET Framework 3.0

  With Windows Vista now officially in sight, Ed Tittel takes a look at the major components of .NET 3.0.  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

• Beginning Windows Presentation Foundation development, Part 1

  If you plan to develop UI for Windows Vista applications, then you should get acquainted with WPF. This tip highlights how WPF works and explains what developers can do with it.  Continue Reading

• Implementing RSS and XML serialization in .NET

  Two bloggers have demonstrated how to set up an RSS feed for an ASP.NET application using XML serialization. One uses VB.NET and the other uses C#.  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

• Best Practice: Enforcing password complexity

  Rather than embed code in an app to address password complexity, Ed Tittel suggests that developers create a component that's used whenever and wherever passwords are needed. This also keeps all password logic in one place.  Continue Reading

• Better exception handling in .NET

  Exception handling is the process by which a code base reacts to change. Here we link to two bloggers who have recently offered hints for exception handling in .NET.  Continue Reading

• Hints for data binding with WinForms in .NET 2.0

  Microsoft has published a two-part article outlining changes to the Binding and ControlBindingsCollection classes and BindingList implementation in .NET 2.0. The end result is better data binding to WinForms.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft offers Visual Studio Team System 101

  Two recent tutorials from Redmond offer developers a walkthrough of Visual Studio Team System.  Continue Reading

• Object-Oriented Programming -- Ch. 4 of Visual Basic 2005: The Complete Reference

  This book excerpt explains the ins and outs of object-oriented programming, a model that is used sparingly in VB 6 but frequently in VB 2005.  Continue Reading

• How to customize the Office 2007 Ribbon

  A recent two-part tutorial on MSDN shows developers how to customize the Ribbon, Office 2007's streamlined answer to the current myriad of drop-down menus, toolbars and task panes.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between stored procedures and dynamic SQL

  Stored procedures and dynamic SQL each have their place in the SQL Server world. You must consider parameters, tables being queried, the number of databases and so forth. In this tip, Serdar Yegulalp maps out the best scenarios for each.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Windows Workflow Foundation development, Part 1

  Here we look at Windows Workflow Foundation, Microsoft's framework for building workflow-enabled applications, and examine a debate over whether WF is too complex.  Continue Reading

• Beginning Windows Communication Foundation development, Part 1

  Windows Communication Foundationbrings loose coupling to distributed system development. Here we look at several recent tips, tutorials and blog posts about WCF best practices.  Continue Reading

• Finding files in Visual Studio 2005

  Is searching for VS 2005 files worse than locating a needle in a haystack? Here we look at five Visual Studio add-ins that make this process much easier.  Continue Reading

• Beginning ASP.NET AJAX development, Part 1

  ASP.NET AJAX continues to gain momentum as a Web development standard. Here we look at tutorials and application add-ins to help developers get started.  Continue Reading

• Writing a WF "Hello World" application

  Windows Workflow Foundation makes it easier for developers and their colleagues to build workflow-enabled apps. What better way to get started than a "Hello World" application?  Continue Reading

• Using Microsoft Office as a development platform

  Office is no longer just an application suite. It's now a development platform. Here we weigh its growing pains and its familiarity to .NET developers.  Continue Reading

• Handy CryptoTools offers many options for drop-in encryption/decryption

  Ed Tittel reviews CryptoTools, a suite of encryption components and libraries that works with multiple programming languages and a variety of algorithms.  Continue Reading

• Debugging apps that use Visual Basic 6 and VB.NET

  It's easy to create applications with bits and pieces of Visual Basic 6 and Visual Basic .NET. Maintaining code for these "hybrid" apps, though, requires a bit of extra care.  Continue Reading

• Hints for troubleshooting .NET applications

  When an application stops working as expected, figuring out where to start is often the hardest task. This tip provides troubleshooting hints to get your app up and running again.  Continue Reading

• ASP.NET development best and worst practices

  Recent tips from Microsoft highlight what to do -- and what not to do -- to keep ASP.NET applications running as they should.  Continue Reading

• ComponentOne strikes gold

  ComponentOne has taken home a lot of hardware at recent industry awards shows. Ed Tittel takes a look at the array of tools the company offers.  Continue Reading

• ASP.NET 1.x to ASP.NET 2.0 migration in five steps

  ASP.NET 1.x to ASP.NET 2.0 migration can be done in as little as half an hour, Microsoft says. This tip outlines the five-step migration process in Visual Studio 2005.  Continue Reading

• Code and test a WinForms app: Chapter 3 of Murach's C# 2005

  In addition to demonstrating how to code, test and debug a C# 2005 application, this chapter download introduces new C# time savers like code snippets and refactoring.  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

• Applications: Chapter 14 of Windows Forms 2.0 Programming

  This chapter download offers insight into building both single-instance and multiple-instance applications with WinForms.  Continue Reading

• Tips for working with the VB Upgrade Wizard

  The Visual Basic Upgrade Wizard automates a complex task -- moving apps from VB 6 to VB 2005 -- with excellent results. But it doesn't cover everything.  Continue Reading

• Ajax programming: Five tips for getting started

  The first steps in Ajax programming should be small ones, most experts agree. Here are five tips for introducing Ajax into your Web applications.  Continue Reading

• Unit test facility in Visual Studio Team System

  Visual Studio Team System is the development tool's high-end SKU, but its unit-testing capabilities, which catches issues in methods and classes before they derail an entire project, are well worth the price, Ed Tittel writes.  Continue Reading

• List & Label 11: Powerful .NET reports

  List & Label 11, from German software developer combit Software GmbH, includes copious developer samples for numerous .NET platforms (C#, VB, and Delphi) as well as for VB 6.0 and C++.  Continue Reading

• Improve dependency injection with ObjectBuilder

  Reusing components and objects has obvious advantages, but it creates a myriad of dependencies. The Dependency Injection Container, part of Microsoft's ObjectBuilder, makes dependencies easier to manage.  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

• SSIS Software Development Life Cycle: Chp. 18 of Professional SQL Server 2005 Integration Services

  This chapter download discusses Microsoft's source controls for SQL Server Integration Services, its new database management tool.  Continue Reading

• /n Software: .NET components galore and deluxe

  Ed Tittel introduces us to /n Software, which offers a plethora of Internet protocol components and Internet business integration tools.  Continue Reading

• Reg-Free COM, ClickOnce ease app deployment

  Thanks to registration-free COM and ClickOnce deployment, rolling out an application is much easier than in VB 6.  Continue Reading

• VB 2005 reaches out to VB 6.0 developers

  If you're a die-hard VB 6.0 fan, you'll be happy to know that VB 2005 offers plenty of form, menu and toolbar improvements, Ed Tittel writes.  Continue Reading

• Beginning ASP.NET 2.0: Develop a one-page Web application

  See how to use ASP.NET 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005 to build Web applications in this book excerpt.  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

• Explore the utility of .NET coding patterns

  Design patterns assist anyone working in an object-oriented environment. Here Ed Tittel describes 15 coding patterns from The Code Project written specifically for .NET developers.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft offers self-assessments for Visual Studio.NET

  Ed Tittel reviews what's available at Microsoft's Skills Assessment site, where developers can learn the skills needed to properly build and deploy WIndows- and Web-based apps.  Continue Reading

• Where's the VB?

  This is the question a lot of people have been asking in recent years upon attending .NET developer conferences where Visual Basic code samples seemed few and far between.  Continue Reading

• Defining a Build: Chapter 1 of The Build Master

  Here Microsoft veteran Vincent Maraia offers insight into the build process, an important yet largely underserved element of software development.  Continue Reading