What are your experiences with Beta2 of Visual Lightswitch? Can it already be used for real life projects? Does anybody know, when the final (RTM) version will be out?
I am very intersting in using Lightswitch in the future for RAD, but I am a litte bit self-conscious, if the tool is flexible enough for my dividual requirements and if a Lightswitch solution can be extended with own code !? Can it be mixed with "normal" Silverlight?
I am currently in production with a Lightswitch application connected to SQL Server 2008 via IIS. I am using it to create basic stuff for now like orders, invoices. My experience so far is very good considering Beta 2. Small bugs on slower computers but nothing to stop continuing. It will take you longer to build a nice database than to build the front-end application in LS. If you do your db design right, then the rest is easy and flawless. You can extend alot with Lightswitch like using custom Silverlight controls so basically sky is the limit if you know Silverlight programming. This is what I like, I know I can build on top with future options for my app like bing maps, upload pictures or documents.
For me, this is the perfect tool since I am not a super programmer. Once your data is in SQL, then the fun begins, you will be able to create reports via Reporting Services. If you the want to go even further, then create some SSIS`s to automate email report notifications, etc... which is what I am planning to do.
Basically, Lightswitch is driving me crazy because I can now build an app 10 times faster than if I would have to program it in Silverlight.
I don't know the release date.
Francis
Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 will be launched on July 26, 2011.
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/lightswitch
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I'm currently developing a Platformer using Monogame in order to learn C# again because I haven't used it for 2 years. I'm using Microsoft VSTS to remotely have it in a Git repository.
My brothers are going to be my beta testers and before I give them the game I'd like to implement automatic updates.
I'd like to create an installer that they use to install the game but after that the game automatically checks for updates at launch.
Is it possible to do that using Git as version control and only download changes every time it launches instead of a complete reinstall?
How would I go about doing something like that? I've googled a lot but haven't found a good answer yet. This is something I wanted to do years ago when using C# as well but never found a solution.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Try clickonce.. it may help you.if you are trying to do automatic update on client installation whenever new version is deplayed in application server or network share
I am currently finishing a project that uses multiple programs, and I am trying to get ideas of how to package them all into one installer, probably through the publishing option in visual basic, but I am sure there are multiple ways this can be done.
First, the main program is done using windows forms. That program, on the server side, keeps track of information that is going on in the warehouse. Users are able to manipulate that info on the client side as needed from multiple points: receiving, work orders, and shipping.
The external program was done in Unity and uses the same information to show how the warehouse is staged, what work is being done, and gives a 3D view of where people and inventory are located in snap shots of time.
So what I am trying to do, is package the Unity project into the installer. It's okay that it's a stand alone program, since I can just open it via the system controls in the main windows form project.
What isn't okay, is that right now it takes two installs to get everything running. Given that I have to deal with individuals that can barely use Google chat, I need this process to be seamless.
I am personally a fan of WiX. I have used it for small, single application distributions and large composite applications that involve many parts. It is capable of producing MSI( MSU, MSM, etc.), EXE installers and has Visual Studio integration.
Ok, so I'm a major amature to the world of programing and I want to make an app that can be deployed through the Windows Store. This is mainly because it seems easier and cheaper than if I were to distribute it myself. I'm using Visual Studio Ultimate 2013 (hooray for free college software!) and I plan on using c# and JSON to pull some data from a public api.
My question is: If I develop an app so that it can be downloaded and installed from the Windows Store to be primarily be used in "Metro" mode, can I also add a button that makes it switch over to desktop mode like Google Chrome has?
Note: I have done some research on the subject and I think this is doable, but I could never find specifics on how it's done. I appreciate any insight you can provide!
AFAIK, as of Windows 8.1 there is no built-in support in WSA to run in a window on the desktop, unless you find that Snap mode suits your needs (it does for me). Primary browser is an exception, but it's not strictly just a WSA.
However, there are 3rd party solutions to do precisely that, e.g. ModernMix, so technically it's possible, but goes outside of what you have access to during WSA development.
There are also talks about Windows 8.2 supporting this out of the box: dailytech
I need to create 100s of graph through automation, I try couple of library for charting from codeplex. however none of them works for me as they all expect either a WPF or Windows Forms interface to be present. Since I need the task to be done using Background windows service such libraries won't work for me.
I am not stuck to use ZedGraph, yeah it is one of the best library, but the Chart quality is way too dim, I use MSChart with ASP.NET projects of mine, they have such a smooth curves, but ZedGraph doesn't.
Now my only question is: Which is the best library in terms of visual as well as in terms of feature like zedgraph to use for windows service. I prefer if someone tell me how I can improve zedgraph really quick if possible.
If you are using a SQL Server you could use Microsoft's SQL Server Reporting Services which is abbreviated to SSRS. This is similar to Crystal Reports in so much as you can design your report with graphs, tables, textual information etc and then when run the information is populated from your database.
SSRS can be called either by a front-end application or simply as a web service call (via your Windows Service) that can generate the report and save to either Excel, PDF etc.
This is industry recognised and a good place to go if you already have SQL Server. I also mentioned Crystal Reports that you may also want to check out.
So....I've never really done much in the way of GUI programming apps. Namely because for school ive been stuck in C++ land. But since Im graduating in December I thought it'd be nice (while im looking for a job) to study something I've wanted to look into for awhile. And please dont mark this as "subjective" im just simply asking what I need to "know" to get started.
Namely GUI programming. Im not used to it....nor have I really ever been. It's not something they focus on in school (for instance my senior design was a webcam mouse thing, but had very little in the way of GUI)
I've seen alot about C# being the superior GUI programming tool for fast development.....but I dont really know whats out there. I know "of" QT, and Im used to C++. However Im not too familiar with what the "choice" GUI language is. I do like programming on Windows however most of my stuff has been in Unix here lately (Mostly because of my OS class).
I dont know anything about .net, and i've heard of something called WPF? Is that part of .net.....or.....what? Im just a bit confused at where to start.
Thanks
Microsoft has some good resources for getting started on their platform with .NET.
Try these...
Development for Beginners
Welcome to the Windows Development track. This is the best place to learn how to create software for Windows. Windows applications can take advantage of your computer's sound, graphics, and other capabilities. You will learn how to write software for Windows XP, Vista, or Windows Server using Visual Basic, Visual C#, or Visual C++ Express Editions.
Ramp Up
Ramp Up is a free, online, community-based learning program that will help you build professional development skills. Join Ramp Up (it's free!) and help advance your career...
Creating Your First Visual C# Application -
This link contains three samples:
How to: Create a C# Console Application
How to: Create a C# Windows Forms Application
How to: Create a C# WPF Application
Visual C# Guided Tour
The Visual C# Guided Tour presents a series of lessons that introduce you to the Visual C# Express Edition integrated development environment (IDE), creating your first application, and designing the user interface of an application.
Learn .NET Framework on MSDN
Start here to get a conceptual overview of the key features of the .NET Framework, including the common language runtime, the .NET Framework class library, and more.
Yeah.... C# is a great tool for GUI.... My condition was same like yours when I started.... My suggestion is get into it.... Make some simple GUIs.... Its fun to make simple apps like say Calculator!
There are very good tutorials available on internet.... You are just a Google away from them.... And For everyproblem, There is Stack Overflow! :)
All the best!!
You can check this too: C# GUI primer tutorial
WPF is pretty awesome. It is rather closely related to xml.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa663364.aspx
If you use the toolbox its mostly self explanatory for the basic components. Here are components of a basic page.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb531270(VS.90).aspx
You have two choices to go with:
Windows Forms (WinForms)
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
For all future desktop GUI applications, WPF is recommended.