WCF Rest Starter Kit

You can download WCF Rest Starter kit from codeplex.

The WCF REST Starter Kit is a set of features, Visual Studio templates, samples and guidance that enable users to create REST style services using WCF. The CodePlex Preview 1 release provides new features that enable or simplify various aspects of using the http capabilities in WCF, such as caching, security, error handling, help page support, conditional PUT, push style streaming, type based dispatch and semi-structured XML support. The WCF REST Starter Kit also provides Visual Studio templates for creating REST style services such as an Atom feed service, a REST-RPC hybrid service, Resource singleton and collection services and an Atom Publishing Protocol service. In addition, there are samples, documentation and other guidance that help to use these new capabilities.

http://www.codeplex.com/aspnet/Wiki/View.aspx?title=WCF%20REST

VS 2008 sp1 & .Net 3.5 sp1 is out

You can download VS 2008 sp1 and .Net 3.5 sp1 @

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7&DisplayLang=en

This release offers major improvements in WCF and WF.

Brief overview avaialble @ download page says:

.NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 provides the following new features and improvements:

ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which provides a rich scaffolding framework that enables rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support). For more information, see What’s New in ASP.NET and Web Development.

Core improvements to the CLR (common language runtime) that include better layout of .NET Framework native images, opting out of strong-name verification for fully trusted assemblies, improved application startup performance, better generated code that improves end-to-end application execution time, and opting managed code to run in ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) mode if supported by the operating system. Additionally, managed applications that are opened from network shares have the same behavior as native applications by running with full trust.

Performance improvements to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), including a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF includes better support for line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.

ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web.

The Entity Framework is an evolution of the existing suite of ADO.NET data access technologies. The Entity Framework enables developers to program against relational databases in according to application-specific domain models instead of the underlying database models. For more information, see Getting Started with the Entity Framework. The Entity Framework introduces some additional features, including support for new SQL Server 2008 types, default graph serialization of Entities, and the Entity Data Source. This release of the Entity Framework supports the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008. The graph serialization work helps developers who want to build Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services that model full graphs as data contracts. The Entity Data Source provides a traditional data source experience for ASP.NET Web application builders who want to work with the Entity Framework.

LINQ to SQL includes new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

The ADO.NET Data Services Framework consists of a combination of patterns and libraries, which enable data to be exposed as a flexible REST (Representational State Transfer)-based data service that can be consumed by Web clients in a corporate network or across the Internet. The ADO.NET Data Services Framework makes data service creation over any data source. A conceptual view model of the underlying storage schema can easily be exposed through rich integration with the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Services created by using the ADO.NET Data Services Framework, and also compatible Windows Live (dev.live.com) services, can be easily accessed from any platform. For client applications that are running on Microsoft platforms, a set of client libraries are provided to make interaction with data services simple. For example, .NET Framework-based clients can use LINQ to query data services and a simple .NET Framework object layer to update data in the service.

Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications.

The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

Web Client Software Factory - February 2008

Web Client Software Factory is available for download now.

The Web Client Software Factory provides an integrated set of guidance that assists architects and developers in creating composite Web client applications. The factory includes a reference implementation, QuickStarts, How-to topics, patterns, and Visual Studio .NET extensions.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=47755838-049B-4291-AFEA-A379AE28D7B3&displaylang=en

WCF Web Programming Model Documentation

I just came across this post at Steve Maine's blog. I thought its worth sharing with you all: 

Conceptual Overviews:

• Web Programming Model
  
• AJAX and JSON
  
• WCF Syndication (Atom and RSS)
  
• Partial Trust

Class Library Reference (not exhaustive):

• System.ServiceModel.Web Namespace
  
• System.ServiceModel.Syndication Namespace
  
• System.Runtime.Serialization.Json Namespace
  
• SyndicationFeed Class
  
• SyndicationItem Class
  
• WebOperationContext Class
  
• WebServiceHost Class
  
• WebGetAttribute Class
  
• WebInvokeAttribute Class
  
• WebHttpBehavior Class
  
• WebScriptEnablingBehavior Class
  
• DataContractJsonSerializer Class

Configuration Schema:

• enableWebScript
  
• webHttp 
  
• webHttpBinding 

Samples:

• Web Programming Model
  
  
  
  • Basic Web Programming Model
    
  • Advanced Web Programming
    
  • UriTemplate
    
  • UriTemplate Table
    
  • UriTemplate Table Dispatcher
    
  • WebContentTypeMapper
    
  • HTML Form Handler
    
  • Push-Style Streaming
  
  
• AJAX and JSON
  
  
  
  • Basic AJAX Service
    
  • AJAX Service Without Configuration
    
  • AJAX Service Using Complex Types
    
  • AJAX Service with JSON and XML
    
  • JSON Serialization
    
  • Weakly-typed JSON Serialization (AJAX)
  
  
• Syndication
  
  
  
  • Intro to Syndication
    
  • Loosely-Typed Extensions
    
  • Strongly Typed Extensions
    
  • Streaming Feeds
    
  • Feed Formatter (JSON)
  
  
• Partial Trust
  
  
  
  • Partial Trust client and server
  
  
• Everything and (a picture of) the Kitchen Sink (Thanks, Justin!)
  
  
  
  • http://samples.netfx3.com/PictureServices/

CEP : Complex Event Processing

CEP or Complex Event Processing offers a great value proposition if your domain requires event based processing. And I believe a whole lot of scenarios require that. Do read about Espers offering here.

An excerpt from Esper web site:

Complex Event Processing, or CEP, is technology to process events and discover complex patterns among multiple streams of event data. ESP stands for Event Stream Processing and deals with the task of processing multiple streams of event data with the goal of identifying the meaningful events within those streams, and deriving meaningful information from them.

The Esper engine has been developed to address the requirements of applications that analyze and react to events. Some typical examples of applications are:

Business process management and automation (process monitoring, BAM, reporting exceptions, operational intelligence)
Finance (algorithmic trading, fraud detection, risk management)
Network and application monitoring (intrusion detection, SLA monitoring)
Sensor network applications (RFID reading, scheduling and control of frabrication lines, air traffic)

The best part is that Esper is available .Net and Java libraries both.

Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2, .Net 3.5 Beta 2 & Silverlight 1.0 RC

The next version of Visual Studio, Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2008, will provide an industry-leading developer experience for Windows Vista, the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and the Web. In addition, it will continue in the Microsoft tradition of development language innovation. To enable early feedback, this page provides links to prerelease versions of Visual Studio 2008, and for technologies that we plan to include in it. As previews of additional technologies become available, we will make them available from this page.

Sounds good! right? :)

So dont wait for the next christmas and download it now!

Files & Disc Images for Self-installation
If you prefer to install the software yourself, you can download separate disc images for the following products:

Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2 Express Editions
Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2 Standard Edition
Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2 Professional Edition
Visual Studio Team System 2008 Beta 2 Team Suite
Visual Studio Team System 2008 Beta 2 Team Foundation Server
Visual Studio Team System 2008 Beta 2 Test Load Agent
MSDN Library for Visual Studio 2008 Beta 2

If you prefer to use VPC (just like I do) then you can download VPC from following links!

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Beta 2 Team Suite VPC
Visual Studio Team System 2008 Beta 2 Team Suite & Team Foundation Server VPC

Get started with WCF (.Net 3.5)

Your best bet to get started with WCF (.Net 3.5) is through code samples avaialble on msdn (beta version and previews). So if you want to stay ahead of the curve and ger your hands on to the technology, you can download these samples here.

PDC 2007 Code Snippets

You can download the code snippets for PDC 2007 from here

Web 2.0 Architecture

During PDC atleast 2 of my talkes revolved alot around Web 2.0 architecture, REST, POX, AJAX, Mash-ups, Composite apps etc. Web 2.0 is already out there and we are not really planning for the future on this node. As with any other paradigm or technological advancement, the most important thing to consider is Architecture. Its Architecture that dictates how the paradigm or technology will affect the system. Its true that most of the people are worried about impact of Web 2.0 on their enterprises. Keeping the same context in mind I would say that ther couldnt have been a better time for the release of 12th MS Architect Journal that focuses of Web Architecture. I would say its a must read for any one interested in Architectural side of Web 2.0. You can download your free copy here

PDC 2007 Presentation downloads

Following is a link to download all three (solo) presentations that I made during Pakistan Developer Conference last week.

Download here.

I will soon be writing a commentary on the presentations. I would love to hear from you all. Just drop me a post for your comments and queries and i will reply back.

BizTalk Connectivity Services and SDK Update

I just came across the following update on BizTalk service labs web site

I will try to include a sneak peak on BizTalk services in my "Composite Architecture" & "WCF Services" presentation at Pakistan Developer Conference.

June 8th, 2007: BizTalk Connectivity Services and SDK Update

BizTalk Connectivity Services now supports:
UserName/Password based authentication
Access to application services through any web browser

The SDK has also been updated with:
Samples showing how to use username/password authentication
Samples showing how to expose a service so it can be accessed through a web browser
Compatibility with .NET Framework 3.5 Code Name "Orcas"

Acropolis

Microsoft Code Name “Acropolis” is a set of components and tools intended to make it easier for developers to build and manage modular, business focused, client applications for Microsoft Windows on the .NET Framework

“Acropolis” builds on the rich capabilities of Microsoft Windows and the .NET Framework, including Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), by providing tools and pre-built components that help developers quickly assemble applications from loosely-coupled parts and services.

download here

Smart Client Software Factory - May 2007

WOW! How about developing composite applications based on .Net 3.0 smart client using WPF?
Can't wait to get your hands on to it?

Following are release details.

The release provides:

1- Windows Presentation Foundation interoperability CAB extensions and View with presenter recipe
2- Offline application blocks and recipes; the application blocks support asynchronous calls to WCF web services.
3- Richer ClickOnce Deployment capabilities
4- Enhanced guidance packages which includes code generation Visual Basic .NET 2005
5- Improved installation with a new dependency checker

Download it here

Microsoft ASP.NET Futures May 2007 (“Futures”) release

The Microsoft ASP.NET Futures May 2007 (“Futures”) release contains an early developer preview of features providing a wide range of new functionality for both ASP.NET and Silverlight™. The functionality in the Futures release includes early experimental versions of features currently being considered for future versions of ASP.NET and the .NET Framework. The Futures releases assume prior knowledge of the core features of ASP.NET including the previous ASP.NET AJAX Futures January CTP.

Features in this release include ASP.NET Silverlight server controls, new functionality for ASP.NET AJAX Extensions, dynamic data controls, enhancements to dynamic languages, and more.

Download here

VS Orcas Beta 1

I was trying to setup my Virtual PC for a sliverlight application demo. But after installing all the runtimes and SDKs and all. I figured out that i cant run it on March CTP release of Orcas .
So i will proceed with downloading Orcas Beta 1.

BizTalk Services SDK : Internet Service Bus!

This certainly is an awesome development. I heard about it for the first time when I was attening MVP Summit in Mar 2007. This will really take the services layer from an enterprise to the internet thus, internet service bus. Wouldnt it be great to develop services around BizTalk services and access them in a rather golbal, internet manner without having to worry about infrastructure it self? This will certainly lets us build business solutions & services without really putting in time and effort on underlying details.
Download the sdk here

Enterprise Library 3.0–April 2007

The Enterprise Library application blocks help address the common problems that developers face from one project to the next. They are designed to encapsulate the Microsoft recommended best practices for .NET applications. In addition, they can be added to .NET applications quickly and easily. For example, the Data Access Application Block provides access to the most frequently used features of ADO.NET 2.0 in simple-to-use classes, thus boosting developer productivity. It also addresses scenarios not directly supported by the underlying class libraries.

Different applications have different requirements, and you will not find that every application block is useful in every application that you build. Before using an application block, you should have a good understanding of your application requirements and of the scenarios that the application block is designed to address.

Enterprise Library 3.0–April 2007 contains the following general purpose application blocks:

Caching Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate a local cache in their applications.
Cryptography Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate hashing and symmetric encryption in their applications.
Data Access Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate standard database functionality in their applications.
Exception Handling Application Block. Developers and policy makers can use this application block to create a consistent strategy for processing exceptions that occur throughout the architectural layers of enterprise applications.
Logging Application Block. Developers can use this application block to include standard logging functionality in their applications.
Policy Injection Application Block. Developers can use this application block to implement interception policies that can be used to streamline the implementation of common features, such as logging, caching, exception handling, and validation, across an application.
Security Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate authorization and security caching functionality in their applications.
Validation Application Block. Developers can use this application block to create validation rules for business objects that can be used across different layers of their applications.
Enterprise Library also includes a set of core functions, including configuration, instrumentation, and object builder services. These functions are used by all other application blocks.

Download it here

Gulf Geeks Pictures and content published

Can you spot me?


Downloads:
http://www.gulfgeeks.com/

For new check out!
http://www.aitnews.com/index.php?option=newsDetails&nid=5715
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20070402064600
http://www.ameinfo.com/115475.html

XML Notepad 2007

Check out XML Notepad 2007 thats avaialble free for download. Following is a list of cool features!

• Tree View synchronized with Node Text View for quick editing of node names and values.
• Incremental search (Ctrl+I) in both tree and text views, so as you type it navigates to matching nodes.
• Cut/copy/paste with full namespace support.
• Drag/drop support for easy manipulation of the tree, even across different instances of XML Notepad and from the file system.
• Infinite undo/redo for all edit operations.
• In place popup multi-line editing of large text node values.
• Configurable fonts and colors via the options dialog.
• Full find/replace dialog with support for regex and XPath.
• Good performance on large XML documents, loading a 3mb document in about one second.
• Instant XML schema validation while you edit with errors and warnings shown in the task list window.
• Intellisense based on expected elements and attributes and enumerated simple type values.
• Support for custom editors for date, dateTime and time datatypes and other types like color.
• Handy nudge tool bar buttons for quick movement of nodes up and down the tree.
• Inplace HTML viewer for processing xml-stylesheet processing instructions.
• Built-in XML Diff tool.
• Support for XInclude
• Dynamic help from XSD annotations.
  Goto definition to navigate includes and XSD schema information.

.Net 3.5 with Orcas!

It wasnt too long ago that I was talking about .Net 3.0 being a new offering from Microsoft's technology stack. Guess what? Now Microsoft is ready with .Net 3.5 that is going to be released with Visual Studio Orcas later this year. I would not go in the details instead will let you download the CTP bits from MSDN.

If you are wondering whats included in technology stack with .Net 3.5. Then i will suggest you to read this blog post by Thom Robbins.

Amazing stuff! Lets get started!