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Generate Database-Driven Web Sites
by Ken Cox
September 13, 2004
Microsoft's ASP.NET team aims to reduce the amount of code Web developers need to write by 70 percent. Most database-driven sites employ common features, such as authentication, master/details pages, data-entry forms, and reports, making these good candidates for productivity tools. Iron Speed Designer 1.6 Enterprise Edition exceeds the code-reduction goal by generating almost all the code that an average data-oriented, three-tier Web application needs.
The software's strength is the way it bridges the reliability of a prepackaged application with your customizations. Application Builder's well-implemented interface guides you through your own data. If you need new data fields for the page, you simply fix the database schema and jump back to the database step to build in the changes. You can click on the Build and Run Application button at any time to see your progress in the browser.
Starting out, you set application details, such as the site's name and location, then pick a page style. The six page designs are adequate but not spectacular (see Figure 1). Next, you hook up to your database. (Designer 1.6 supports only SQL Server, which might be a showstopper for some.) Moving on, you select the tables, fields, views, and queries to use in the Web application. The choices and options are presented clearly and simply.
In the Pages step, Designer suggests the ASP.NET pages you should create based on the data structure and project settings, such as which tables need to be editable. This is also where you can customize the site without coding. For example, you can easily change the default multiline textboxes to a single-line style. You can click on the control to bring up a Properties page to change a wide range of properties, bindings, and SQL statements.
Designer lets you insert your own code into its "safe" classes without fear of overwriting it during the next regeneration. Likewise, you can integrate third-party controls, as long as you work within Iron Speed's framework. The tool generates a buildable VB.NET project complete with ASP.NET pages and code-behind source. Be aware that Iron Speed's designers aren't compatible with VS.NET's Web Forms designer. Stick to the intended environment for editing rather than trying to mix and match.
Although Designer makes difficult tasks easy, I lost time on minor issues, such as adding an unbound Web page and changing the default logo. The extensive online help is fine for understanding concepts, but it needs more task-based procedures with precise steps. Don't miss the excellent videos that demonstrate the software's features.
This product works as advertised. Hard-core .NET coders might find it confining, but Iron Speed Designer opens development of data-oriented ASP.NET sites to a broader and much less technical audience.
Iron Speed Designer 1.6 Enterprise Edition
Iron Speed
Web: www.ironspeed.com
Phone: 650-215-2200
Price: $1,995
Quick Facts: Advanced code generator for database-driven Web applications.
Pros: Works well; preserves customizations; excellent video introductions.
Cons: Supports only SQL Server; needs task-oriented documentation.
About the Author
Ken Cox is a programming writer and .NET developer in Toronto building e-commerce Web applications, XML Web services, and SharePoint Web Parts. Ken is a Microsoft MVP for ASP.NET. Reach him at .
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