Hammad : IDotNetWizard

Contention, poor performance, and deadlocks when you make Web service requests from ASP.NET applications

2008-08-20T04:15:00Z

If you are (un) lucky like me then you may run into gettin this error on IIS server asp.net web apps/asmx web services. Its a known issue and has a resolution documented in kb article @ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821268.

The resolution revolves around fine tuning machine.config parameters.

To improve your asp.net web app performance do read http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms998549.aspx

VS 2008 sp1 & .Net 3.5 sp1 is out

2008-08-12T03:40:00Z

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 has major improvements on 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.

Embedded sqlMap.config

2008-07-25T03:27:00Z

If you are like me you would like to embed sqlMap.config file for your ibatis project. Although its not provided out of the box but its very simple to implement.

All you have to do is to write your own sqlMapper implementation.The core logic revolves around building DomSqlMapBuilder.

protected static void InitMapper()
        {
            DomSqlMapBuilder builder = new DomSqlMapBuilder();
            XmlDocument sqlMapConfig = Resources.GetEmbeddedResourceAsXmlDocument("YourNamepspace.YourConfigFile.config");
            mapper = builder.Configure(sqlMapConfig) as SqlMapper;
        }

for more details do check out http://opensource.atlassian.com/confluence/oss/display/IBATIS/How+do+I+use+an+embedded+sqlMap.config+file

The invoked member is not supported in a dynamic assembly

2008-07-25T03:02:00Z

When i tried running an ibattis related unit test fixtures in my exsiting test assembly I started getting this wierd error that's a known bug documented at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327131.

Interesting thing is that when i run that fixture in a separate assembly it works fine but as soon as i add it to existing test fixtures it crashes with this error :"The invoked member is not supported in a dynamic assembly".

I think it has to do with how nUnit created dynamic assemblies for test fixtures internally. Unfortunately i cant change that behavior. So for now the work around is to use a separate assembly.

More on Composite Architecture

2008-07-23T09:10:00Z

As i posted earlier that i will be presenting @ IASA Singapore's chapter evening. It turned out to be an interesting session and i got the chance to interact with the audience and hear their pain points on composite architecture and enterprise mashups.

Enteprisewise initiatives, sharing data across services/apps and need for top quality tools came out as the most crucial elements to the success of composite architecture. I also heard some interesting remarks from the audience. One of the gentlement mentioned that there is nothing that composite arch/enterprise mashup offers that couldnt be done with traditional apps/services. I'd say lets look at this analogy:

"if you are travel from point x to y, you could either walk, run, ride a horse, drive, commute through train, or fly in a plane. Ofcourse it will depend on the distance b/w x and y. Among other things it will also depend on your mind set and approach. if you want to cover the distance in excess of hundreds of kilometers by riding a horse then God speed. Surely you will get there but the question is how much will it cost you in terms of time and effort"

I strongly believe in composite arhictecture and enterprise mashups. This truly leads to realization of potential promised by SOA.

Web Service enumeration components are not available

2008-07-23T02:58:00Z

when you are getting subject titled error in Visual Studio (this happens when you try to add a web reference), try using following command on vs command prompt:

devenv /resetskippkgs

ASP.NET MVC CodePlex Preview 4

2008-07-18T06:46:00Z

This CodePlex Preview 4 release introduces new features as well as changes to the default project template. The changes to the default project template are intended to help jumpstart the most common application-building scenarios. Many of the new features focus around simple AJAX scenarios.

http://www.codeplex.com/aspnet/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=15389

Interesting

2008-07-09T02:57:00Z

If you think
- you take our tea/coffee seriously
- you have lots of sugar (its indeed our fuel)
- you like to have it on your desk

Then you are not much different from earlier species of computer programmers who used to work with John Von Nuemann. Check out this interesting read

http://skysigal.xact-solutions.com/Blog/tabid/427/EntryID/387/Default.aspx

Speaking @ IASA Singapore Event

2008-07-08T01:16:00Z

I will be talking about Composite Architecture @ IASA Singapore's monthly chapter evening. I will discuss how the software architecture paradigm is shifting in response to agile enterprises. This talk will intend to de-mystify composite architecture and then in the end present available tools and technologies that can be used to build applications and services that are based on composite architecture.If you are in or around Singapore on 17th of July 2008 then feel free to join us.

Venue is :9 Temasek Boulevard | #35-03 Suntec Tower Two | Singapore 038989

For directions click here

Sitting next to greatest talent...

2008-04-20T10:51:04Z

During OSLO SDRs i got to know, meet and share thoughts with greatest minds in CSD today. Its a big list but i will like to share a few names and they go like, Don Box, Juval Lowy, Sam Gentile, Brian Loesgen, Michele Leroux Bustamante, Roman Kiss and Chris Sells. A noted omission from the attendees was Clemens Vesters.

MVP Summit - 2008

2008-04-20T09:25:00Z

I am back from MVP Summit 2008 that took place in Seattle last week. It was an absolutely amazing experience and I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that was offered during the summit. From the Toby's welcome note to speech by Sean O Driscoll to the break out sessions that took place in Building # 43 @ Redmond Campus to the key notes by Ray Ozzie and Steve Balmer, it was an enlightening experience.

I would like to point out to a news article posted by Seattle times here. I will be looking forward to attend next years summit that is scheduled for March 1-4th, 2009.

I will blog shortly about Connected System SDRs.

MVP Summit - 01

2008-04-14T17:54:00Z

Hey all.. I am at the WSTC and waiting for the Welcome note and hence the official start of this years summit here @ Seattle, Washington. I reached Seattle yesterday morning and will be heading back to Singapore on Friday 18th of April. I will be blogging about this event for next few days and keep you all posted on the most exciting and the best of things experienced @ this years summit.
Now, a little bit of update on weather in Seattle. It was rather cold and wet in Seattle yesterday but today is one of those bright sunny days (well, so far atleast) you wish you would have every day.

User group event: Web 2.0 in Enterprise

2008-04-06T07:28:36Z

<dotNetBulls/> hosted their first technical event on 11th of March, 2008. Topic for this event was "Web 2.0 in Enterprise" and it was hosted by Linda Chong, from Microsoft. Linda Chong works for Microsoft in the capacity of Architect Evangelist and she has 12 years of extensive experience on management, consulting, evangelism, architecture design/review, pre-sales engagement and systems integration in the areas of SOA, Web 2.0, e-business/e-commerce and enterprise application integration (EAI). Event started with Hammad Rajjoub introducing <dotNetBulls/> and speaker.

Linda started off with talking about Software + Services and Web 2.0 and where it stands today and then moved towards Microsoft's Silverlight and its applications in local/international market. It was a successful event that saw a conference room filled with geeks, snacks (thanks to SDC) and guest speaker engaged in technical dialogue for more than an hour.

User Group Event on VSTS

2008-04-06T07:26:14Z

<dotNetBulls/> hosted their second technical event on 27th of March, 2008. This was a special event that saw two top speakers from Microsoft Corporation hosting a tech-talk on Application Life Cycle Management, Agile Tools and Visual Studio Team System. Both the speakers were visiting Singapore for "Heroes Happen Here" event that marks the launch of Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Exchange 2008.

Norman Guadagno, Director of Product Marketing for Visual Studio Team System talked about application development life cycle management and how VSTS allows integrated, extensible and end-to-end ALM (Application Lifecycle Management).
Stephanie Saad, Group Manager in Visual Studio Team System at Microsoft, talked about how agile development tools in VSTS can be used to deliver Agile Solutions.

Event was a success amongst its participants who were delighted and enlightened to hear from top experts on the topic that's very important and extremely relevant to their professional work. Stephanie showed some cool demoes on VSTS and audience absolutely liked it. After the demoes there was an open QnA session where audience asked various questions on the use of code metrics, automated builds, annotations etc.

Speaking at ITARC - KL

2008-04-06T07:21:04Z

I will be presenting at ITARC conference organized by IASA in KL. I will be presenting a break out session on "Composite Architecture". I will share the slides with all of you shortly.

Attending MVP Summit 2008

2008-04-06T07:09:10Z

I will be attending MVP Summit 2008 in Seattle this year. I am really looking forward to getting back to Redmond and meeting product team.

MVP Award for 4th consecutive year

2008-04-06T07:03:02Z

I am glad to share this news with all of you that I have been given MVP award for the 4th consecutive year. I will also continue to be part of Microsoft's Connected Systems Advisory Board.

ODP Bug (or so I think)

2008-04-06T06:56:19Z

I found out that ODP.Net for Oracle 10g behaves in strange way for Oracle Parameter that are passed on to oracle command. It always expects parameters to be added in the same order as they are originally available on stored proc in db.

So, if a sp (stored proc) expects two parameters, first being "pId" and second being "pName" and you use the following code:

oraCommand.Parameters.Add(new OracleParameter("pId", OracleDbType.Int64, "10001",
ParameterDirection.Input));
oraCommand.Parameters.Add(new OracleParameter("pName", OracleDbType.Varchar2, "John Doe",
ParameterDirection.Input));

It works fine since the first parameter is of type Int64 (as expected) and the second parameter is of type Varchar2. However if you reverse their orders ODP wouldn't work.

oraCommand.Parameters.Add(new OracleParameter("pName", OracleDbType.Varchar2, "John Doe",
ParameterDirection.Input));
oraCommand.Parameters.Add(new OracleParameter("pId", OracleDbType.Int64, "10001",
ParameterDirection.Input));

This will raise an exception that would say "Invalid number or type of arguments passed ….etc etc". Now this is a strange behavior because we always (at least in terms of ADO.Net ) expect that parameter names will be binded against the stored procs parameters. But this doesn't happen in the world of ODP.Net. And if you pass parameters in right order, parameter names doesn't even matter.

I don't know if its just my bad assumption or bad ODP design or a bug for that matter. It definitely caused me a whole lot of annoyance and wasted my time. I actually ended up adding a unit test and passing each and every parameter manually to sp and then running it against new provider. Since I was adding those parameters manually I added them in the same order as that of sp and hence a successful insert. But as and when I resorted to xml file containing field definitions, it always failed. I even ended up creating excel sheets with formulas to compare parameter types and values because that's what I thought were most likely to go wrong. Bad day I guess!

I really think its a bad design atleast. API should be intuitive and inline with general design of framework (in our case ADO.Net).

Microsoft Open XML - ISO's verdict to be released on Wednesday

2008-04-01T11:32:00Z

Check out http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL3019918720080331?&sp=true

Lets see what the verdict comes out. I have blogged about Microsoft's Open Xml standard earlier.

Fingers crossed!

WCF Interoperability with Sun Metro

2008-03-29T04:14:05Z

I read this useful article @ InfoQ (http://www.infoq.com/news/2008/03/wcf-metro-interop). Its really interesting to see how top distributed computing technologies at Sun (Metro) and Microsoft (WCF) are interoperable. On the very basic level all the web services are supposed to be interoperable on WS-I basic profile. But when it comes to more advances WS-* protocols like WS-Security, WS-Atomic Transaction, WS-Reliable Messaging etc. thats when interoperability problems come to the surface. Its a great initiative from Sun and Microsoft. For more details on the interoperability results do check out Harold Carr's blog(http://weblogs.java.net/blog/haroldcarr/archive/2008/03/metro_web_servi_2.html).