Linq's Lack of Consistancy

I have been playing with the various flavors of Linq: Linq for Objects, Linq for SQL, Linq for XML. The one thing I found troublesome was the vast difference in the syntax and functionality between them. We need someone to write a library above linq to get rid of some of these. For example: Linq to DataSet allows you to do use an extension method to grab it as a datatable or dataview. I would love to do the same regardless of whether I am using XML as my data source or SQL Server. The point of Linq is to reduce the amount of code needed. If we reduce some of the differences then we can share even more of the code and further reduce the lines we need.

If anyone has any extension method classes or a framework over linq that will do this let me know and I will post it here for other to use.

Regular Expressions - Help!!!

If you are like me you find dealing with regular expressions both powerful and frustrating.I found a couple links that may help you on your journey to build regular expressions.

Roy Osherove has a few tools here that will be useful. The first is the Regulator that allows you to build regular expression with intellisense included. The second tool is the regulazy that allows you to typein text select it and via right click create your regular expression:

http://tools.osherove.com/Default.aspx?tabid=165

The third is not really a tool but a library that helps you find regular expressions that others have created for you:

http://regexlib.com/

This posting is also available at: http://clinch-aspnet.blogspot.com/2008/05/regular-expressions-help.html You can check out this blog for additional information related to asp.net

If you find any regular expression tools or other tools you find useful please email them to me at susan@clinchportal.com

Intermittent Invalid Viewstate Error in ASP.NET Web Pages

If you are getting Intermittent Invalid Viewstate Error in ASP.NET Web pages possibly this article will help you

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555353

If not and you find one that does simply email Susan Fischer at susan@clinchportal.com and she or I can post them here.

Perpetual Beginner

For those just learning some of the newer technologies such as subsonic, linq, mvc, etc this is going to be fast becoming the place to go. It is definitely a blog to keep an eye on. The Perpetual Beginner, Jesse Naiman, will soon be a name you will remember.

Here is the link to his Perpetual Beginner blog at : http://alt-net-guild.blogspot.com/

Free Source Control Repository That Integrates With Visual Studio

My friend Jesse Naiman sent me a recommendation for free source control for a project I am working on. I thought about writing a recommendation myself but he words it perfectly. Here is his recommendation:

This site is awesome http://www.assembla.com/

You
can setup a free SVN repository (up to 500MB), and you get an amazing amount
project management tools.

A couple helpful hints on SVN in case
you haven’t used it.

Install tortoisesvn which will allow you to
manage source control through windows explorer.
Install AnkhSVN
to get svn integrated into visual studio.

What is Pheonix?

I have noticed people searching for Phoenix.

Phoenix is a framework for building compilers and a wide range of tools for
program analysis, optimization, and testing. Phoenix is designed to support
advanced techniques in compilation and program analysis. It provides a wide
variety of building blocks, implemented around a common intermediate
representation. Phoenix applies equally well to basic block analysis; memory
tracing; code coverage; fault injection; run-time profiling and feedback;
ahead-of-time and just-in-time compilers; and whole-program, post-link, and
runtime optimization.

I did some poking around and found a couple links for you:

http://research.microsoft.com/phoenix/
http://blogs.msdn.com/srisub/archive/2006/10/19/Phoenix-as-an-instruction-tool.aspx

WebControls: Overriding RenderContent vs Render

Many examples of creating WebControls will override Render while others override RenderContent. This confused me for the longest time as I didn't really see the difference.
It was only when I was introduced to adapters that I realize why you use one over the other.

If you override RenderContent, then the wrapper tag is created for you. By default its a span but you can use adapters to change it. If instead you override Render, you are responsible for the outer tag and must take into account yourself adapters or force the control user to use your tag.

http://alvinzc.blogspot.com/2006/10/aspnet-basic-of-custom-server-control.html

If you have any tips, tricks, questions about C#, .NET or the like please email them to susan@clinchportal.com