SQLHelper by Microsoft

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Xml;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Collections;


namespace Microsoft.ApplicationBlocks.Data
{
    public sealed class SqlHelper
    {
        #region private utility methods & constructors

        private SqlHelper() { }

        private static void AttachParameters(SqlCommand command, SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            foreach (SqlParameter p in commandParameters)
            {
                if ((p.Direction == ParameterDirection.InputOutput) && (p.Value == null))
                {
                    p.Value = DBNull.Value;
                }

                command.Parameters.Add(p);
            }
        }

        private static void AssignParameterValues(SqlParameter[] commandParameters, object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((commandParameters == null) || (parameterValues == null))
            {
                return;
            }

            if (commandParameters.Length != parameterValues.Length)
            {
                throw new ArgumentException("Parameter count does not match Parameter Value count.");
            }

            for (int i = 0, j = commandParameters.Length; i < j; i++)
            {
                commandParameters[i].Value = parameterValues[i];
            }
        }

        private static void PrepareCommand(SqlCommand command, SqlConnection connection, SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            if (connection.State != ConnectionState.Open)
            {
                connection.Open();
            }

            command.Connection = connection;

            command.CommandText = commandText;

            if (transaction != null)
            {
                command.Transaction = transaction;
            }

            command.CommandType = commandType;

            if (commandParameters != null)
            {
                AttachParameters(command, commandParameters);
            }

            return;
        }


        #endregion private utility methods & constructors

        #region ExecuteNonQuery

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteNonQuery(connectionString, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            using (SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                cn.Open();
                return ExecuteNonQuery(cn, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);
            }
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(string connectionString, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteNonQuery(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteNonQuery(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteNonQuery(connection, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, connection, (SqlTransaction)null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            int retval = cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlConnection connection, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteNonQuery(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteNonQuery(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteNonQuery(transaction, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, transaction.Connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            int retval = cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;
        }

        public static int ExecuteNonQuery(SqlTransaction transaction, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(transaction.Connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteNonQuery(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteNonQuery(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }


        #endregion ExecuteNonQuery

        #region ExecuteDataSet

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteDataset(connectionString, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            using (SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                cn.Open();
                return ExecuteDataset(cn, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);
            }
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(string connectionString, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteDataset(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteDataset(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteDataset(connection, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, connection, (SqlTransaction)null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter(cmd);
            DataSet ds = new DataSet();

            da.Fill(ds);

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();

            return ds;
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlConnection connection, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteDataset(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteDataset(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteDataset(transaction, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, transaction.Connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter(cmd);
            DataSet ds = new DataSet();

            da.Fill(ds);

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();

            return ds;
        }

        public static DataSet ExecuteDataset(SqlTransaction transaction, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(transaction.Connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteDataset(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteDataset(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        #endregion ExecuteDataSet

        #region ExecuteReader

        private enum SqlConnectionOwnership
        {
            Internal,
            External
        }

        private static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlConnection connection, SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, SqlParameter[] commandParameters, SqlConnectionOwnership connectionOwnership)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            SqlDataReader dr;

            if (connectionOwnership == SqlConnectionOwnership.External)
            {
                dr = cmd.ExecuteReader();
            }
            else
            {
                dr = cmd.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection);
            }

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();

            return dr;
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteReader(connectionString, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(connectionString);
            cn.Open();

            try
            {
                return ExecuteReader(cn, null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters, SqlConnectionOwnership.Internal);
            }
            catch
            {
                cn.Close();
                throw;
            }
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(string connectionString, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteReader(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteReader(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteReader(connection, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            return ExecuteReader(connection, (SqlTransaction)null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters, SqlConnectionOwnership.External);
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlConnection connection, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteReader(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteReader(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteReader(transaction, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            return ExecuteReader(transaction.Connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters, SqlConnectionOwnership.External);
        }

        public static SqlDataReader ExecuteReader(SqlTransaction transaction, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(transaction.Connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteReader(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteReader(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        #endregion ExecuteReader

        #region ExecuteScalar

        public static object ExecuteScalar(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteScalar(connectionString, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(string connectionString, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            using (SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                cn.Open();
                return ExecuteScalar(cn, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);
            }
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(string connectionString, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteScalar(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteScalar(connectionString, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteScalar(connection, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, connection, (SqlTransaction)null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            object retval = cmd.ExecuteScalar();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;

        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlConnection connection, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteScalar(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteScalar(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteScalar(transaction, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, transaction.Connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            object retval = cmd.ExecuteScalar();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;
        }

        public static object ExecuteScalar(SqlTransaction transaction, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(transaction.Connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteScalar(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteScalar(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        #endregion ExecuteScalar

        #region ExecuteXmlReader

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteXmlReader(connection, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlConnection connection, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, connection, (SqlTransaction)null, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            XmlReader retval = cmd.ExecuteXmlReader();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;
        }

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlConnection connection, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteXmlReader(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteXmlReader(connection, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText)
        {
            return ExecuteXmlReader(transaction, commandType, commandText, (SqlParameter[])null);
        }

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlTransaction transaction, CommandType commandType, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            PrepareCommand(cmd, transaction.Connection, transaction, commandType, commandText, commandParameters);

            XmlReader retval = cmd.ExecuteXmlReader();

            cmd.Parameters.Clear();
            return retval;
        }

        public static XmlReader ExecuteXmlReader(SqlTransaction transaction, string spName, params object[] parameterValues)
        {
            if ((parameterValues != null) && (parameterValues.Length > 0))
            {
                SqlParameter[] commandParameters = SqlHelperParameterCache.GetSpParameterSet(transaction.Connection.ConnectionString, spName);

                AssignParameterValues(commandParameters, parameterValues);

                return ExecuteXmlReader(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName, commandParameters);
            }
            else
            {
                return ExecuteXmlReader(transaction, CommandType.StoredProcedure, spName);
            }
        }


        #endregion ExecuteXmlReader
    }

    public sealed class SqlHelperParameterCache
    {
        #region private methods, variables, and constructors

        private SqlHelperParameterCache() { }

        private static Hashtable paramCache = Hashtable.Synchronized(new Hashtable());

        private static SqlParameter[] DiscoverSpParameterSet(string connectionString, string spName, bool includeReturnValueParameter)
        {
            using (SqlConnection cn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            using (SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand(spName, cn))
            {
                cn.Open();
                cmd.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;

                SqlCommandBuilder.DeriveParameters(cmd);

                if (!includeReturnValueParameter)
                {
                    cmd.Parameters.RemoveAt(0);
                }

                SqlParameter[] discoveredParameters = new SqlParameter[cmd.Parameters.Count]; ;

                cmd.Parameters.CopyTo(discoveredParameters, 0);

                return discoveredParameters;
            }
        }

        private static SqlParameter[] CloneParameters(SqlParameter[] originalParameters)
        {
            SqlParameter[] clonedParameters = new SqlParameter[originalParameters.Length];

            for (int i = 0, j = originalParameters.Length; i < j; i++)
            {
                clonedParameters[i] = (SqlParameter)((ICloneable)originalParameters[i]).Clone();
            }

            return clonedParameters;
        }

        #endregion private methods, variables, and constructors

        #region caching functions

        public static void CacheParameterSet(string connectionString, string commandText, params SqlParameter[] commandParameters)
        {
            string hashKey = connectionString + ":" + commandText;

            paramCache[hashKey] = commandParameters;
        }

        public static SqlParameter[] GetCachedParameterSet(string connectionString, string commandText)
        {
            string hashKey = connectionString + ":" + commandText;

            SqlParameter[] cachedParameters = (SqlParameter[])paramCache[hashKey];

            if (cachedParameters == null)
            {
                return null;
            }
            else
            {
                return CloneParameters(cachedParameters);
            }
        }

        #endregion caching functions

        #region Parameter Discovery Functions

        public static SqlParameter[] GetSpParameterSet(string connectionString, string spName)
        {
            return GetSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName, false);
        }

        public static SqlParameter[] GetSpParameterSet(string connectionString, string spName, bool includeReturnValueParameter)
        {
            string hashKey = connectionString + ":" + spName + (includeReturnValueParameter ? ":include ReturnValue Parameter" : "");

            SqlParameter[] cachedParameters;

            cachedParameters = (SqlParameter[])paramCache[hashKey];

            if (cachedParameters == null)
            {
                cachedParameters = (SqlParameter[])(paramCache[hashKey] = DiscoverSpParameterSet(connectionString, spName, includeReturnValueParameter));
            }

            return CloneParameters(cachedParameters);
        }

        #endregion Parameter Discovery Functions

    }
}

Free E-Books/Guides essential for .NET Programmers and Architects

Foundations Of Programming

The Foundation Of Programming Series Free e-book By Karl Seguin is one of my favorites. It is simple, short and sweet. Especially for ‘casual’ programmers, this will give a better thought process – that’ll definitely enable them to code better and think better. This book covers the ALT.NET Philosophy, Domain Driven Development concepts, DI, TDD etc in a nice way. This book is close to my heart.

• Download From Here

Microsoft Application Architecture Guide, 2nd Edition

Published by Microsoft, this is an essential read for any Microsoft.NET developer or Architect to understand the underlying architecture and design principles and patterns for developing successful solutions on the Microsoft platform and the .NET Framework. This guide neatly covers popular architecture patterns, best practices and common challenges you need to understand for developing .NET applications. Get a good grip on developing enterprise applications in .NET.

• Download From Here

Rob Miles C# Yellow Book 2010

A nice action packed book that takes you through C# and .NET concepts. This book explains C# language and .NET library in general – with a clear focus on implementation thought process and best practices.

• Download From Here

Threading in C#

A short, neatly written book from Joe Albahari about Threading in C#. This is a must read for any .NET programmer to understand more about threading in general, thread pooling, synchronization, Non blocking synchronization, etc. In this book, Joe even covers the Parallel Framework Extensions and Parallel programming in .NET

• Download From Here

Improving .NET Application Performance and Scalability

This guide is again from Microsoft, and focuses on designing your applications with Performance and scalability in mind. It has sections relevant to architects, developers, testers, and administrators. Following the checklists and guidance in this book will ensure that there won’t be any unpleasant surprises in the end. Read this guide if you develop Enterprise applications in .NET

• Download From Here

Applying Design Patterns

This is a quick introduction towards the thought process of applying design patterns. The objective of the book is to introduce design patterns in a simple way, so that developers can understand some common patterns and how to apply them. I wrote that some time back ;)

• Download From Here

RefCardz from DZone

DZone has a number of awesome Ref Cardz (Quick reference sheets) on multiple technologies. You can go to DZone –> RefCardz to browse and download them (after getting a free DZone Id). Here are some of my recent favorites

• Getting started with WCF 4.0
• Getting Started With Silverlight + Expression Blend
• Essential F#

Keyboard Bindings / Shortcuts in Visual Studio 2010

All the Visual Studio 2010 Keyboard bindings are available here for you to download. These are very helpful resources for a person who spends most of his days in Visual Studio.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=92ced922-d505-457a-8c9c-84036160639f

I personally like Ctrl+. which allows me to add the using statement without going to the top of the file. I use it quite frequently.

MVVM with WCF RIA Services

MVVM without RIA:

·         MVVM relies on the concept that View (XAML) will not contact your Model directly.

·         View will contact Model via ViewModel classes.

·         ViewModel talks with View using Data Binding and Commanding in XAML based applications.

·         ViewModel talks with Model via web service communication in case of Silverlight when we don’t use RIA Service.

MVVM with RIA:

·         RIA Service abstracts the web service layer from developer’s perspective and presents on client an identical set of classes that we have in model on server.

·         This simply means that under normal MVVM scenario we just change the communication between ViewModel and Model to go via the auto generated model classes on client side instead of explicitly calling web services (though internally it is still WCF communication).

·         In my opinion, this should not pose any problems to the MVVM pattern given that we keep the communication link same as above.

Cautions/DON’Ts:

·         We should never attach the auto generated client model classes of RIA with View directly. This link of View to Model should happen via ViewModel only. In a nutshell, these auto-generated model classes should never be considered as ViewModel.

·         We also have the availability of some RIA controls like DomainDataSource (in XAML). In case of MVVM we should NEVER use any such RIA controls in XAML since they break the very pillar of MVVM by contacting auto generated client side model of RIA directly (which is same as above point).

SharePoint 2010 Development Platform Stack - Diagram

This diagram shows the platforms on which SharePoint Server and SharePoint Foundation are built.

• The boxes with a blue fill represent independent platforms and each depends on the platforms below it.
• The empty boxes inside the larger boxes are selected important subparts or features of the platform.
• The thin downward arrows indicate selected dependency relations. Not every sub-platform or dependency relation is shown.
• The thicker, green, sideways arrows indicate that one entity accesses the entity to which the arrow points. Again, only some selected access relationships are shown.

For more information, see Conceptual Overview of SharePoint Foundation and its child nodes.​

Make OneNote 2010 speak to you

Did you know OneNote can talk? Here's how:

Click File | Options to open the option dialog, then click Customize Ribbon. This is to set up the ribbon for the speak command. On the right side of the dialog, expand the Home tab, then click the New Group button at the bottom:






I named the group My New Group.

Then, on the left pane, change the drop down Choose commands from to be All Commands. Scroll down to the Speak command:



Then click the Add>> button to add it to the group named My New Group:



Click OK.

Now go to any page in OneNote and select some text. Click the Home tab and then the Speak button in the group you just created.

OneNote will read the text to you!
This is not unique to OneNote, by the way - all the Office 2010 apps have this.

How to Debug WCF Services in Silverlight

check out this new SilverlightTV video, going over some of the common errors you may encounter when using WCF services from Silverlight:

Silverlight TV 46: What's Wrong with my WCF Service?

Direct link

What is Microsoft SQL Azure Database

Microsoft SQL Azure Database is a cloud-based relational database service built on SQL Server® technologies. It provides a highly available, scalable, multi-tenant database service hosted by Microsoft in the cloud. SQL Azure Database helps to ease provisioning and deployment of multiple databases. Developers do not have to install, setup, patch or manage any software. High availability and fault tolerance is built-in and no physical administration is required. SQL Azure Database supports Transact-SQL (T-SQL). Customers can use existing knowledge in T-SQL development and a familiar relational data model for symmetry with existing on-premises databases. SQL Azure Database can help reduce costs by integrating with existing toolsets and providing symmetry with on-premises and cloud databases.

 

What is SQL Azure Database?

Microsoft Project Code-Named “Houston” is a lightweight and easy to use database management tool for SQL Azure databases. It is designed specifically for Web developers and other technology professionals seeking a straightforward solution to quickly develop, deploy, and manage their data-driven applications in the cloud. Project “Houston” provides a web-based database management tool for basic database management tasks like authoring and executing queries, designing and editing a database schema, and editing table data. It is now available on SQL Azure Labs.

Use SQL Azure Database to:

• Build scalable, custom web applications, which is especially a need for small to mid-size businesses, hobbyist, and startups
• Build packaged line-of-business applications, which is attractive to traditional, SaaS ISVs and custom developers
• Build corporate departmental applications
• Consolidate multiple data sources in the Cloud and enable secure access from multiple locations, desktop and/or devices

Benefits of using SQL Azure

• No need to install or patch software or other physical administration
• Automatic high availability and fault tolerance
• Simple provisioning and deployment of multiple databases
• Scale databases up or down based on business needs
• Multi-tenant
• Integration with SQL Server and tooling including Visual Studio
• Support for T-SQL based familiar relational database model

The release of SQL Server 2008 R2 adds client tools support for SQL Azure, including added support through SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). SQL Server Management Studio can be used to manage SQL Azure and can be downloaded for free here along with SQL Server Express. Additionally, SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server Express have full support for SQL Azure – in terms of seamless connectivity, viewing objects in the object explorer, SMO scripting, and more.

 Full Details on http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure/sqlazure/

Top ten new developer features in Microsoft SharePoint 2010

Looking for a place to get started with SharePoint 2010 development? Whether you’re an experienced SharePoint developer or new to SharePoint, on this page you’ll find popular content that you might not have known about.

Top 10 New Developer Features

1. Business Connectivity Services
2. Client Object Model
3. Sandboxed Solutions
4. Social Computing and Social Data
5. PerformancePoint Services (Business Intelligence)
6. Enterprise Metadata (Taxonomy)
7. Silverlight Object Model
8. Ribbon Extensibility
9. Microsoft Synch Framework
10. Service Application Framework

Source: MSDN

Microsoft Kinect revealed : Project Natal got a name finally

We've heard it before, now Microsoft's Syed Bilal Tariq is repeating the October launch date for Natal. Speaking to GamerTagRadio, Microsoft's marketing manager for Saudi Arabia says that the Natal launch,

"is going to be somewhere in October and we will be in a position to confirm the date at E3, which is in June, but definitely it is going to be October 2010."

24diggsdigg Hot on the heels of getting leaked a wee bit early Microsoft has made official the rebadging of a device desperately seeking a new name: "Project Natal" is no more, replaced by Microsoft Kinect. At a circus- and celebrity-filled affair, MS wrapped everyone in high-tech panchos (pictured after the break courtesy of Joystiq) and then took the wraps off of the new title. Quite a few game demos were shown, ranging from Star Wars to tiger petting, the Kinect interface to the Dashboard was shown (said by some to be Minority Report-like), and a video chat app called, wait for it, Video Chat. Through here you can naturally talk to friends (up to four total people at once was "shown"), and also share photos.

Sadly, no hands-on time was given nor did MS reveal the two crucial bits of information we're waiting for: price and date. Naturally a holiday release is expected, to give the Xbox 360 a nice sales boost, but we're hearing price rumors as high as $150. These choice bits of intel will surely be unveiled at Microsoft's event tomorrow -- if someone doesn't beat 'em to it. The hardware is still looking exactly like the early picture above, shattering hopes of a slimmer design to match new Slim Xbox 360.

Google's dangerous bravado could help Microsoft | Cloud Computing - InfoWorld

Google's cocky comments show an unearned confidence about its ability to beat Microsoft in the cloud

Google is taking potshots at Microsoft again over who gets the cloud better. As reported by Computerworld, a Google exec says, "Microsoft is a great company, but we think we're several years ahead in our ability to build and deliver cloud services that are reliable and useful and secure."

While it's true that Microsoft seems a bit late to office automation in the cloud space, the company has presented impressive Web-based Outlook apps for years, and moving to a complete cloud offering won't be as much of a reach as Google thinks. Indeed, when considered against the existing penetration of Google Docs and Gmail, which are a part of Google Apps, Microsoft still has a huge head start when it comes to understanding office automation.

[ Get the no-nonsense explanations and advice you need to take real advantage of cloud computing in InfoWorld editors' 21-page Cloud Computing Deep Dive PDF special report. | Stay up on the cloud with InfoWorld's Cloud Computing Report newsletter. ]

Microsoft is planning on coming out with its own cloud-based Office applications, and while Google argues that comes with a great deal of baggage, most people looking to use office automation software want to accomplish their tasks without a lot of relearning. They don't care how that happens, and for them, Microsoft clearly offers the path of least resistance within most enterprises.

This does not mean that Google won't have a compelling office automation story to tell; indeed, it has had great penetration into small business, as well as state and local government. However, the Global 2000 set of businesses is the prize in this space, and I don't see those firms moving toward Google Enterprise Apps unless Microsoft screws the pooch on its forthcoming cloud deployments (which could certainly happen).
Still, I don't view Microsoft as several years behind Google, and if Google is making those assumptions now, it won't out-innovate Microsoft enough to beat Microsoft.

There are other pressures to consider. New office automation applications, such as Evernote, and upstarts that are focusing on cloud-using mobile devices may find themselves collectively beating both Microsoft and Google as users carry out more tasks on, say, their iPads and iPhones -- I certainly am.
Now is not the time to be cocky, Google.

This article, "Google's dangerous bravado could help Microsoft," originally appeared at InfoWorld.com. Read more of David Linthicum's Cloud Computing blog and follow the latest developments in cloud computing at InfoWorld.com.