Johnny Halife’s Blog

On February 16th, Matías and I participated as speakers on the Microsoft Agile Architecture Forum 2008, held at Microsoft Argentina. The conference covered lots of interesting agile stuff: TDD, FDD/Crystal, the MoQ Framework and Continuous Integration/Build Automation among others.

Continuous Integration was the topic selected by us, here you can find the deck we’ve used.

In this photo: Juan Gabardini, Martin Salias, Matias Woloski, Gabriel Paradelo, Juan E. Ladetto, Johnny G. Halife, Nicolas Paez, Matias Bonaventura

Useful links about Continuous Integration

• http://www.martinfowler.com/articles/continuousIntegration.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_integration
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CruiseControl.NET
• Rob Conery » Source Control and Continuous Integration On The Cheap
• How To- Set Up a Continuous Integration Build in Visual Studio
• MSBuild with Cruise Control .NET
• Being Mark Cohen » Cruise Control .net with Subversion

Thanks to Martín Salías and Ezequiel Glinsky for letting us participate in this event.

thanks,
~johnny

Yes, we're back with another release! You might noticed that people is talking about Orcas Beta 2, but you will be wondering “How can I see all the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 features running and working in the same place?”. Here's your answer DinnerNow is back!

We built this version of DinnerNow using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. We've modified the code to be Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 compliant.

Highlights of the drop

• Official Windows CardSpace Icons
• Revised WPF kiosk application that can be loaded in the Visual Studio designer for WPF
• Integration with the mobile application
• Migrated Service Portfolio projects to new templates (WCF Service Library & Workflow Service Library)
• Improved the REST/POX/RSS support using the new WCF 3.5 programming model.

So what?  Get the bits now!

thanks,
~johnny

Today Chris Tavares and I started working on the Repository Factory. This is a guidance package that automates creation of entity classes that map to database tables and repository classes to read and write those entity classes. The generated code removes the tedium task of creating a persistence-ignorant domain model.

This package was originally shipped with the Web Service Software Factory as “Data Access Guidance Package”. But we saw that Data Access is a much larger problem space than just services. The source code of the current Guidance Package is available on CodePlex website www.codeplex.com/RepositoryFactory.

On CodePlex web site you’ll find the list of work items we’ve identified and also some community added. If you’ve got a suggestion or want something to be in the Guidance Package, enter our CodePlex site and vote for your favorite work item.

FAQ

Q: Is this another ORM?
A: No, this package is intended to be a light-weight code generator that automates most of the tasks needed to generate a domain model object and persist them to data base.

Q: Does this project has defined scope and a road map?
A: No, although we have a set of planned updates, once they’re competed where going to release the package to the community to drive and develop. Your welcome to participate, for more info visit Contributing Repository Factory

Q: Do I need the Web Service Factory to use this package?
A: No, you’ll be able to generate repositories to whatever type of application you’re building.

Q: Should I wait to your last release to use it?
A: Definitely no, each time we check-in something new it will be related to an issue/feature/enhancement, so you’ll be able to download the code and start using it.

Q: Which is the first thing you’ll get done?
A:  We’re currently working on the package independence and isolation from the Web Service Software Factory.Also the factory generates a bunch of generic classes along with the repository, now they’re going to be placed in a separated dll and referenced from the project. The result: a cleaner repository project, and removed the duplication of code when you have more than one repository project.

Stay tuned, at the end of each week I’ll try to post what are the enhancements we’ve done.

thanks,
~johnny

These days lot of things are coming around, as I mentioned on the DinnerNow.net posts, lot of technologies were made available. Some of them in beta phase , and some as final releases.

I know, you’ll probably say: “Ok, I’ve downloaded DinnerNow.net, installed it, and I’ve seen those technologies working together but now what?”. Ok, here is what can you do: I’m proud to announce (as James Conard did in his weblog) that Windows Server 2008 Developer Training Kit (Beta 3) is now public & available.

What I will find if I download the package?

The kit contains presentations used by Developer & Platform Evangelism (DPE) on their early adoption program for ISV (a.k.a Touchdown). It contains presentations on 15 different topics going from IIS7 to .Net 3.0 including stuff like Virtualization and High Performance Computing. It also includes 7 hands on labs, where Southworks helped the DPE team on the development. Check out Gabriel’s blog to read more about the labs.

What should I do now?

C’mon, the answer is easy… Get the bits now! And don’t forget to check James’ post about it!

Also I want to congratulate to the guys who contribute to this amazing package, like: Jason Olson, David Aiken, Matt Winkler, Nigel Watling, Brett Hill, Volker Will, and Justin Smith.

That’s all folks… and stay tuned.

thanks,
~johnny

Hi guys, I’m proud to announce that today at 7 p.m. DinnerNow.net got its golden build.

What’s DinnerNow.net?

DinnerNow is a sample application that demonstrates all the latest technologies that Microsoft has lunched this FY07. It goes from IIS7 to LINQ, from Powershell to Windows Vista Gadgets. It’s a really cool sample application.

What’s the difference between DinnerNow and other sample apps?

Well, DinnerNow it’s different, it’s a shift in the way that Microsoft develops sample apps. We didn’t just to show features and technologies we want to make it real. We want an Enterprise Scenario where people are aware of latest technologies but they don’t have the SDK Scenario types where everything is cool and you can use the best features of each technology. We’ve made a switch we want the technology to be a tool, to interact, to be part of the thing instead of being the thing.

What’s cool about DinnerNow.net?

It’s an endless thing, we shipped v1.0 but tomorrow we’ll be working on v2.0. We want you to send feedback, report bugs, collaborate and suggest what can be cool to do. This sample is not something common; if you are a Dev you can see how the code has been done, and all the development tasks. If you’re an IT Pro, just check that we’re using Powershell, MMC, and a lot of things to monitor and operate the app. DinnerNow.net it’s out and it’s for everybody!

What you will found when you download it?

DinnerNow.net has been written by really talented people, apart from latest technologies best practices you’ll get reusable code that you can use for your own apps. For example you’ll see lots of Powershell samples, how to write an IIS7 handler, how to use WCF with MSMQ. Also you’ll find our dependency checker, written by David Aiken, which can adds value to whatever you do. How many times you suffer the pain of getting errors on an application because the right components weren’t installed, now you’ll see how to perform that check. There’s a lot of stuff you just have to download it, and start the research :).

The DinnerNow.net Team

I want to write a paragraph special for these guys. Man, it has been one of the greatest projects that I’ve shared with such talented people. Everybody in the DinnerNow.net Team it’s a guru. It’s been really team work, and also we were all committed to get it. I really enjoy working on it.  Also I want to thank everybody on the team for being so polite and for letting me contribute as I can. When you work with people that are open to new ideas, it’s one of the best things that you can experience.

So you’ve read all these lines and didn’t get the code… Man, what are you waiting for? Get it now!

Ohh, I forget to say who is on the Dinnernow.net Team

• Brett Hill
• David Aiken
• James Conard
• Matt Winkler
• Nigel Watling

Please feel free to contribute on our codeplex site, reporting bugs, making constructive suggestions and reporting issues. We expect you to be part of it.

This is the funny ship it picture

thanks,
~johnny

Hi guys, as announced by the PS Team today at their blog, Powershell for Windows Vista is now RTM and ready for download. I recommend you that download it, 'cause it's one of the most powerfull tools I've ever seen last days.

What's Windows Powershell?

Windows PowerShell, previously Microsoft Shell or MSH (codenamed Monad) is an extensible command line interface (CLI) shell and scripting language product developed by Microsoft. The product is based on object-oriented programming and the Microsoft .NET framework.

Windows PowerShell 1.0 is available for download from the Microsoft web site.

Microsoft originally intended to launch PowerShell along with Windows Vista, but later defined a separate release schedule for PowerShell. Windows PowerShell is the foundation of the administrative experience for Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 where everything is done via command line interfaces and the administrative GUI is layered on top of those commands.

So man, what are you wating for… get the bits now! (x64)

And stay tune something will change on the food ordering history :)…..

~johnny

As announced by Scott Guthrie ASP.NET AJAX is RTM.

What’s ASP.NET AJAX?

ASP.NET AJAX is a free framework for quickly creating a new generation of more efficient, more interactive and highly-personalized Web experiences that work across all the most popular browsers.

With ASP.NET AJAX, you can:

• Create next-generation interfaces with reusable AJAX components.
• Enhance existing Web pages using powerful AJAX controls with support for all modern browsers.
• Continue using Visual Studio 2005 to take your ASP.NET 2.0 sites to the next level.
• Access remote services and data directly from the browser without writing a ton of complicated script.
• Enjoy the benefits of a free framework with 24×7 technical support provided by Microsoft.

So why don’t you get the bits and start playing around, download it from here

For more info on ASP.NET AJAX go to http://ajax.asp.net

thanks,
~johnny

Hi guys, after announcing that Web Client Software Factory has shipped. I want sync-up with you about where I’ve been.

After finishing some stuff of the Web Client Software Factory, I got back to Buenos Aires (where I live). And started with a new project: DinnerNow.net

What’s DinnerNow.net?

DinnerNow.net is a Sample Application that shows how you can develop connected application using several new Microsoft Technologies.

DinnerNow is a ficticious market place where you can order food from different vendors to be delivered at home or office. You can choose the type of food you want (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Meal)

The sample uses most of the lastest Microsoft techologies including: IIS7, ASP.NET AJAX Extensions, LINQ, WCF, WPF, WF, Windows PowerShell, Windows Vista Gadgets, .net Compact Framework and so on.

The bits will be available soon, now you can visit the Application Site at www.dinnernow.net

 I recommend you to review the screencast recorded by James Conard

This project is developed by several individuals from the Microsoft Developer and Platform Evangelism group:

Brett Hill, David Aiken, James Conard, Matt Winkler, Nigel Watling.

I feel really happy of beign part of this team :).

Stay tune to www.dinnernow.net, and get involved with lastest Microsoft Technologies.

thanks,
~j