Sample Applications you should learn from.. c# / VS Studio 2005
In the world of adopting .Net as a programming language of choice, the ultimate question is, "Where are the samples I can learn from".
If you are reading this, you learned your basics maybe on your own or from some programing class, but you probably actually learned the advanced stuff from dissecting sample applications and code snippets off blogs. What you may not know, is that the published 'sample' apps differ greatly from the 'benchmark' applications that are also published. The former address the simplicity of design, which works for the hobbyist developer. The latter, challenges the want to be or already hardcore developer with proven coding methodologies that provide performance and reliability with or without out going gung ho on on all the PAG recommendations.. as most developers fall in between the serious and the hardcore set. The generic you can drag it from the IDE - approach is easy and romantic but is not always the most performant approach - but may be the easiest to design approach. Which, unfortunately doesn't yield the backbone of designing mission critical applications.
For the casual developer that has no real ambition to create the next MYSPACE.COM... the sample applications off of ASP.Net are fine...
For the developer that is seeking a more technological example to learn from, then check out the following:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/bb499684.aspx - This is the latest performance oriented application. At time of this writing the download will be online in a few days if not already. It illustrates:
- Using WCF with a variety of protocols and bindings
- Designing a load-balanced SOA design
- Writing a Windows Application as a self hosted WCF service, or hosting it all withing IIS( for examples of using a Windows Console - contact me..)
- Use of delegates, reflection, n-tier design and PAG style programming.
- Interoperability between databases and service types... WAS to .Net, or using Oracle versus SQL...
Other .Net benchmark examples include:
Petshop: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa479070.aspx
For studies and benchmark results of several performance oriented application samples see: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700836.aspx
Most of all the studies include the source code. The big difference between the benchmark studies and the regular examples on ASP.net is that the regular samples are designed around the premise of designing an application quickly (It is easy to develop using our technology). A benchmark application is geared to getting the most out of your buck and supporting large scale enterprise solutions. This involves a bit more lower level and greater understanding how .Net works. For the last seven years or so, I have been involved with Microsoft and other companies to evaluate and validate benchmark studies (from designing the networks and labs they run these benchmarks on to actually performing the benchmarks and writing the methodology the benchmarks must adhere to) - and from my own personal perspective I have learned more of how to do the right thing by dissecting the benchmark applications over the sample applications when it comes to my own coding.
The reason is that ease of use versus performance, portability, and reliability weighs heavily on how to design the next big thing, and the quick design IDE approach may not yield the results you want when going live. For prototyping or low impact application, one programming method works quite well , while supporting a huge number of users or complex coding - another method works way better... a hybrid helps those create a application that can mature with minimal re-work.
The latest benchmark from Microsoft - is the .NET Stock Trader Application. If you have not yet considered adopting WCF - this one benchmark sample may change your mind. I invite you to check it out. If you happen to have issue using it, and lack an answer on the forums - feel free to contact me at jody @ cn2technology.com or post a comment on this thread and I can see what I can do for you - time forgiving. I am not directly associated with the project - however, may be of assistance in your evaluation of it once the source code is released..
None the less, I have included a variety of links of additional samples that may satisfy those looking for a more sophisticated demo app to learn from...The key to programming and doing it well is digesting all of the samples produced. Coding style changes from person to person and the more you know the greater your awareness is to interacting with developers of lessor or more knowledge than yourself...
Enjoy