Code generation
- 1. Visual Studio 2010Effective Code Generation TechniquesDoug [email protected]/dohollan
- 2. Doug HollandSr. Architect Evangelist, Microsoft CorporationMSc Software Engineering, Oxford University @doughollandhttp://blogs.msdn.com/dohollan
- 4. AgendaStringBuilderSystem.CodeDomCode SnippetsXSLTVisual Studio 2010 Project & Item TemplatesText Template Transformation Toolkit (T4)Entity Framework 4.0 & T4 TemplatesUML & T4 TemplatesSQL Server 2008 R2 Management Objects (SMO)Unit Testing
- 5. StringBuilderAdvantagesAlmost all .net developers should feel comfortable using the StringBuilder class so it requires no additional languages / tools to learn.Even with the disadvantages, the StringBuilder can be an excellent choice if you need to generate code quickly. Especially if you don’t need to maintain the “template” long term.DisadvantagesUnable to truly see the “template” within the control logic.Requires a recompile if the “template” should be changed.
- 6. System.CodeDomAdvantagesAllows a single “template” to generate code within several target languages, such as VB and C#.Additional language providers can be written to support other languages.Proven technology, used by Microsoft for code generation in all versions of Visual Studio since .net was released.DisadvantagesUnable to truly see the “template” within the control logic.Requires a recompile if the “template” should be changed.Very few developers have experience using the CodeDom even though it has been with us since the .net framework 1.0.
- 7. Code SnippetsAdvantagesSimple Xml based template with numerous samples provided within Visual Studio.Several open source code snippet libraries available.DisadvantagesLimited snippet functions and at the present time developers are unable to author additional snippet functions! Tell the Visual Studio team you want to be able to author snippet functions, tell your Congressman too if you think it would help!
- 8. XSLTAdvantagesXml based template.Simple code generation technique for those developers comfortable with XSLT transformations.DisadvantagesWhile Xml is a relatively simple technology, XSLT has been known to bring grown men to tears!XSLT can be difficult to debug.
- 9. Visual Studio Project / Item TemplatesAdvantagesTarget language used to write the templates. (e.g. C# or VB).Simple Xml *.vstemplate file tells Visual Studio what to do with the template.Templates are stored within .zip file which is a standard file format we’re all familiar with.DisadvantagesTemplates are stored within .zip file which can complicate editing templates.
- 10. T4 TemplatesAdvantagesAbility to embed C# control logic within the template.Syntax that will be somewhat familiar to classic ASP developers..Preferred code generation technique for Entity Framework 4.0 and the Visual Studio 2010 modeling tools., which means lots of samples on MSDN, etc.Templates can be precompiled.DisadvantagesWhile third parties have written language support for Visual Studio no built in support for editing T4 templates exists in Visual Studio today. Tell the Visual Studio product team and your congressman about this too!Relatively new technology, therefore not many developers have experience with T4 templates.
- 11. Unit TestingShould we use unit testing for generated code?
- 12. Thank [email protected]/dohollan© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.