| Welcome to FTP's "Best of the .NET Blogosphere" sponsored by Compuware Corporation |
Are you too busy working to read blogs all day? Did you sign up for a gazillion RSS feeds to save time only to find you don't have time to read the RSS feeds? That's why we created this page. Let FTP's Editors spend their time surfing the blogs to find the best tips—while filtering out the BS—so you don't have to. Every week, we'll list useful content we've found on blogs aimed at .NET programmers, and share them with you.
Build a WaitScreen Control for ASP.NET
Are you tired of impatient users refreshing pages and restarting requests? Check out Daniel Fisher's step-by-step guide on how to build an ASP.NET server control that provides "wait-screen" functionality for long-rendering pages. Not only will you learn to create the WaitScreen Control, but Fisher also explains the general concepts behind building a reusable control.
ASP.NET
Embedded Assembly Linker
Wouldn’t it be nice if all external assemblies in ASP.NET 2.0 could just be embedded inside the executable as resources and referenced as needed? Check out Magenic Technologies Developer Blogs for details on how to build a simple reusable function that satisfies this need.
Data Binding in ASP.NET
Are you tired of tackling complex data-binding expressions on your own? Let Fritz Onion be your guide the next time you're challenged with cramming all your logic into ASP.NET's templated data-bound controls.
Nested Declarative Data Binding in ASP.NET 2.0
Need to effortlessly present data from a table that contains foreign-key references to other tables containing extra data? Explore the declarative data-binding model of ASP.NET 2.0 with Fritz Onion, and tackle with ease the asymmetric nature of join queries and their corresponding update statements.
Solve Problems in ASP.NET Data Binding
ASP.NET 2.0's bi-directional data binding is a big improvement over 1.0, but the implementation lacks flexibility when dealing with objects. Read how author and technology evangelist Rockford Lhotka ran into problems when binding to CSLA .NET 2.0 objects, and how he solved them.
The Truth About FastObjectFactory_app_web
FastObjectFactory_app_web is a class definition generated as part of the request process on machines hosting an ASP.NET 2.0 Web site. Pluralsight co-founder Fritz Onion explains the purpose of the class. Fritz's Onion Blog also reveals many other ASP.NET mysteries.
Unit-Testing Custom MembershipProviders
You have to develop your own custom MembershipProvider to work with ASP.NET 2.0 if you want the controls to tie into your business objects instead of the data source directly. Brant Estes ran into problems when he tried to test his custom MembershipProvider, but found a solution. You'll find other good tips at the Magenic Technologies Developer Blog.
SQL Server 2005 (Yukon)
Two Cool Add-Ins for SSMS
Discover two SQL Server Management Studio add-ins that blogger Bob Beauchemin can't do without. Learn how you can alphabetize the folder entries in SSMS Projects and use PromptSQL to measure the "aggression level" of IntelliSense.
Express Agent for SQL Server Express: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and Mail
With help from Alex Papadimoulis's "Express Agent" feature, building small- and mid-sized applications in the free SQL Server Express Edition will be ideal. Find out more about this feature or provide Alex with feedback.
Creating an Assembly With Unsafe Permission Set
The September CTP version of SQL Server 2005 has a new security feature allowing those with special permissions to create an assembly with an unsafe permission set. Bob Beauchemin provides step-by-step instructions, as well as other handy SQL Server 2005 tips in his blog.
When Should You Use SQL Server CLR User-Defined Types (UDTs)? Alex Papadimoulis anticipates this SQL Server 2005 question. The short answer on when to use CLR UDTs is "never," but there's much more to it than that. It's one of many useful posts you'll find at Weblogs@ASP.NET.
What SQL Server 2005 Means to an ISV
You can find a lot of Web content describing the features of SQL Server 2005 and related products, but the bottom line for any ISV is: "How will this help me make my products better and increase sales?" Microsoft ISV Developer and Platform Evangelist Ryan Storgaard gives you the essence of SQL Server 2005 in this two-part posting: Part One; Part Two.
C#
Expand Ranges in a C# String
Use a little-known .NET regex capability to expand ranges in a C# string. Eric Gunnerson takes you through this step-by-step process in his C# Compendium.
Using the ?? Operator for ViewState Properties
Fritz Onion discusses ways in which the ?? operator in C# 2.0 is useful. He reveals how to use this tool to implement a property that is backed by ViewState in ASP.NET.
Testing C# Edit and Continue
Allow Vijay Upadya to walk you through the testing process for the C# Edit and Continue (or EnC) feature in the new release of Visual Studio. Read about his testing strategy, approach, and outcomes.
Profilers and the Perils of Micro-Optimization
How do you determine the best way to create code inside a class, essentially benchmarking it? It all depends on the "context," or whatever meets your requirements in a particular scenario, says Ian Griffith.
Using the VB "My" Object in C#
Some developers have wondered why the "My" object, new to the Whidbey version of VB.NET, is not available in C#. Compuware Numega developer Dennis Murphy explains that it's available in C#; you just have to know where to find it.
Using Double Quotes Inside a Verbatim String Literal
Some C# users get stumped on how to get double quotes to display properly in a verbatim string literal. Gus Perez provides the answer in his blog on "C#, .NET Development, and Software Testing."
Learning the Difference Between var and object in C# 3.0
The new C# 3.0 language features announced recently at PDC are stirring up a lot of comments on the blogs. The new var keyword (short for "implicitly typed local variables") allows you to declare a variable without saying what the variable's type is, but some developers see this as redundant with object. Ian Griffiths helps sort out the confusion in his blog. You'll find a related post at Cyrus Najmabadi's blog.
Accessing Private Fields Through Properties
Some programmers differ on the question of whether a class's implementation should use properties on that class, or whether it should be restricted to fields. Eric Gunnerson provides an answer in this post, and you can find more of Eric's tips in his C# Compendium blog.
Data Access (ADO.NET)
Manage ADO.NET Connections
On the DataWorks WebLog, Alazel Achenson provides an easy way to manage ADO.NET connections across multiple methods. Learn how to avoid distributed transactions when using the TransactionScope by creating connections in the OuterMethod.
ADO.NET 2.0: Relative Paths in Connection String
Investigate the connection string keyword AttachDbFileName in SqlClient Managed Provider. Learn how to assign a database file location to this connection string keyword so the file attaches as a database on your server when you open the connection.
Why You Shouldn't Store BLOBs in the Database
Here are all the reasons why Binary Large Objects (BLOBs) cannot be stored effectively in a database. William Vaughn suggests an alternative solution, and you can find a wide array of helpful entries in his blog.
Using Projections in ADO.NET 2.0
You may not know that projection functionality is available in the DataSet in ADO.NET 2.0. Andrew Conrad shows you how to set it up here.
SqlDependency Changes for RTM
SqlDependency is a new feature in .NET Framework 2.0. The September CTP includes some changes to make deployment easier and increase security. Sushil Chordia describes the changes and provides examples in this post, highlighted on the DataWorks WebLog.
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And don't miss these posts by bloggers from Compuware:
Using AppDomainManager in .NET 2.0
One of the lesser-known changes in .NET 2.0 is the inclusion of classes allowing you more control over how AppDomains are created. Tim Weaver takes you on a tour of the new AppDomainManager class.
Are You Still Using Weaker Encryption?
Microsoft has decided to use beefed up encryption in all code written from this point forward, says Steve Teilhet. DevPartner SecurityChecker offers several rules designed to check your code for the use of weak hashing and encryption algorithms. |
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Smart Clients
Data Sources Window Is Inactive in Design View
Do the contents of your Data Sources window disappear when the Window Forms Designer or User Control Designer features are active in Visual Studio 2005? Let the Smart Client Data Team explain why this phenomenon takes place and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
VS Tools for Office: Quick Starts #1-4
McLean Schofield clearly outlines how you can deploy a document and an assembly to local and network folders, deploy a document to a local folder, and deploy an assembly to a network folder.
Case Sensitive, Not Case Sensitive
Is it case sensitive? John Chen of the Smart Client Data Team answers your questions about case sensitivity in DataSet, DataColumn, DataRelation, and Constrains.
Working With Local Databases
Visual Studio 2005 includes several new features to help you build and deploy applications that need a local data store. An engineer listed only as "Antoine" describes how this works in the Smart Client Data blog on MSDN.
Get Up to Speed on LINQ
Many bloggers have been energized by recent Microsoft announcements about the LINQ Project, which promises a source-agnostic data-query language built into the .NET Framework. John R. Durant pulls together over a dozen links to LINQ resources in this post.
WinFX
WPF "15 Puzzle" Sample Application
Explore various facets of Windows Presentation Foundation. On his blog, Musings of a Windows Vista Technical Evangelist, Microsoft's Tim Sneath demos an application called "15 Puzzles" that ties together many different Avalon concepts.
Serialization, ObservableCollection, and WPF Avalon Data Binding
Disappointed with data binding samples? Karsten Januszewski demonstrates how real applications work, helping you populate objects from an XML file using the .NET serializer.
SOA, ESB, and Microsoft's Refusal to Blindly Adopt Nefarious Terminology
How does a Microsoft insider handle disparaging remarks? Read Rich Turner's counter to an article criticizing Microsoft's ESB stance.
WinFX Runtime Components November CTP Now Released
Find out where you can download the pieces necessary to install WinFX and begin prototyping a great Windows Presentation Foundation application. Tim Sneath shares helpful hints and links.
Create a Full Trust Avalon Web Browser (.XBAP) Application
Karsten Januszewski guides you through creative pitfalls to ensure that you successfully produce a .XBAP application.
.NET Remoting and the WCF
Some of you who are building distributed applications are still uncertain how .NET remoting fits in with Windows Communication Foundation (WCF, formerly Indigo). Microsoft Product Manager Rich Turner summarizes this topic here, with additional links to other sources.
Achieving Smooth Page Transition in WPF
A recent CBT e-learning demo at PDC raised questions about whether page transitions can be created in Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF, formerly Avalon). Nathan Dunlap describes how he achieved some cool animated effects. You can also find a long list of other WPF bloggers at Microsoft technical evangelist Tim Sneath's blog.
Choosing the Right WWF Workflow Style
Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF) supports three basic workflow styles: Sequential, State Machine, and Data-Driven. Dave Green explains how to choose the right style for different situations. You'll find this and many other WinFX blogs linked from the RoadToWinFX community site.
.NET Framework
Yet Again, VB vs. C#
Looking for a new perspective on an old argument? Rockford Lhotka explains how this debate has recently changed shape.
DataPortal_XYZ Methods in CSLA .NET 2.0
Rockford Lhotka explains strongly typed DataPortal_XYZ methodology and how to use it effectively in CSLA .NET 2.0.
A CSLA .NET 2.0-Style Class
This "basic" CSLA .NET 2.0 editable root class, courtesy of Rockford Lhotka, illustrates all the things you can do in a class under the upcoming version of the .NET Framework.
Windows Forms
Focus on the Object Model
CSLA .NET doesn't dictate your object model, says Rocky Lhotka. Developers focus so much on the CSLA .NET "feature list" that they forget the purpose of the framework is to enable the implementation of good OO designs. Check out more Windows Forms tips on Rocky's blog.
Saving and Restoring Form's Size and Location
Use the Application Settings feature to save and restore Form's last known location and position. Raghavendra Prabhu describes how to use the new Setting APIs.
Minimizing a Windows Form to the Tray
Using the ShowInTask property is the most commonly mentioned way to minimize a Windows Form to the task bar, but then the form still shows in the Alt+Tab list. Jessica Fosler gives you an alternative solution here.
Workaround for Data Binding Bug
You might encounter a bug in detail forms built using data binding: The current control's value isn't refreshed when the user tabs off the control. This won't be fixed for Visual Studio 2005, says Rockford Lhotka, but you can use this workaround.
More .NET Blogs:
- Chris Kinsman
- Don Box
- Keith Pleas
- Longhorn Blogs
- Marquee de Sells (Chris Sells)
- ScottGu's Blog
- Yasser Shohoud
- Duncan Mackenzie
- Joshua Allen
- Paul Wilson
- Aaron Skonnard
- Fritz Onion
- Brian Goldfarb
- Jonathan Maslan
- VS Data Team's WebLog
- The Visual Basic Team
- Dinesh Kulkarni
- Roger Jennings
- Robert Hurlbut
- sqlexpress's WebLog
- Richard Hale Shaw
- Sandy Khaund
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