Adlai Maschiach : Enterprise Library

Unity Application Block for Silverlight

Adlai Maschiach — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:48:01 GMT

Unity Application Block for Silverlight

If you are building rich application experiences in Silverlight, you can now use the power of dependency injection. It was possible to use Unity on Silverlight before, but you had to make some tweaks since Silverlight has some differences from the desktop common language runtime (CLR). Now it’s official: the release of Unity for Silverlight !

The following capabilities and packaging of the Unity container have been adjusted in this release:

The single Microsoft.Practices.Unity.dll file in the Silverlight version contains all the classes from the three separate desktop DLLs: Microsoft.Practices.Unity.dll, Microsoft.Practices.ObjectBuilder2.dll, and Microsoft.Practices.Unity.StaticFactoryExtension.dll. You only need to reference and deploy the one assembly in your Silverlight projects.
Because of differences in the Silverlight security model, only public types can be created and injected by the container. The desktop version allows you to also inject internal types.
XML configuration is not supported.
The Unity interception mechanism is not supported.

An updated quickstart is also included.

See Chris’s post for more details on how this release was produced.

The Unity Application Block (Unity) is a lightweight, extensible dependency injection container.

Downloads:

Community:

http://www.codeplex.com/unity

ESB Guidance 2.0 CTP October 2008

Adlai Maschiach — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:57:12 GMT

ESB Guidance 2.0 CTP October 2008

As mentioned, BizTalk 2009 CTP , ESB 2.0 & RFID [Mobile], the ESB 2.0 is out as a CTP. BUT, as the article ESB Guidance 2.0 CTP October 2008 [CodePlex] states, it’s still in it’s ALPHA stage !

Intro

The ESB Guidance 2.0 was developed using a test driven approach. You can see the tests in the Tests folder of the solution. Our team performed extensive functional testing on all new and updated features for the ESB Guidance 2.0. All known high severity bugs are resolved for this release; however, there are a few issues that we could not address in this CTP release that will be addressed in the final release. Please refer to the Known Issues document included in the ESB Guidance 2.0 CTP installation package to review these issues.

Required

Windows 2008
IIS 7.0
Microsoft BizTalk Server 2009 Enterprise Edition Beta
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 SP1
Enterprise Library 4.0
Unity Application Block 1.1
Windows PowerShell 1.0

Optional

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 SDK 1.1- Required by Itinerary Designer in Visual Studio 2008.
Microsoft UDDI Services 3- Required by UDDI resolver and dependent samples.
BizTalk 2009 BAM Tools – Required by Itinerary and Exception BAM tracking.

I hope that soon enough i’ll create a new Webcast: ESB Guidance - Prerequisites, Install, Config and ESB Portal with the new ESB 2.0 ( as well as one on BizTalk 2009 )

Microsoft Enterprise Library 4.1 – October 2008

Adlai Maschiach — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:51:30 GMT

Microsoft Enterprise Library 4.1 – October 2008

Great news ! Enterprise Library 4.1 is now available.

This is a twin release of Microsoft Enterprise Library 4.1 and Unity 1.2.

What’s New in Enterprise Library v4.1?

This release of Enterprise Library is a service release that includes the following:

Unity interception mechanism and integration of the Policy Injection Application Block with the Unity Application Block.
Performance improvements.
Usability improvements to the configuration tool.
Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 support.
Bug fixes.

For the detailed list of all changes, see About This Release of Enterprise Library.

What’s New in Unity v1.2?

Added an interception mechanism (extension).
Added two instance interceptors (TransparentProxyInterceptor, InterfaceInterceptor) and one type interceptor (VirtualMethodInterceptor).
Improved support for generics.
Added support for arrays.
Registered names are now available as an ObjectBuilder policy so that you can do a ResolveAll from within the strategy chain. The container automatically registers itself with itself.
Added PerThreadLifeTimeManager
Performance improvements.
Bug fixes.

How to Get Started?

If you are new to Enterprise Library:

Read the Introduction to the Enterprise Library.
Download, compile, and run the QuickStart samples, study the code.
Read through the related QuickStart Walkthroughs and “Key Scenarios” sections of the documentation.
Practice the Hands-On Labs.
Review the source and unit tests for deeper understanding.
View webcasts on Enterprise Library and Unity, review demo code.

Summary

The Microsoft Enterprise Library is a collection of application blocks designed to assist developers with common enterprise development challenges. Application blocks are a type of guidance, provided as source code that can be used "as is," extended, or modified by developers to use on enterprise development projects.

Enterprise Library 4.0 - May 2008 - RTM

Adlai Maschiach — Sun, 18 May 2008 11:47:58 GMT

Enterprise Library 4.0 - May 2008 - RTM

HURA !
RTM , see ? http://www.codeplex.com/entlib/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=13498

The download : Enterprise Library 4.0 - May 2008

I've first noticed it from Tom Hollander's blog, which summarizes the new featues

What’s New in v4.0?

This release of Enterprise Library includes the following:

Integration with the Unity Application Block
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) 2.0 support and improved instrumentation
Performance improvements (particularly, in the Logging Application Block)
Pluggable Cache Managers
Visual Studio 2008 support
Bug fixes

Note: existing public APIs (v3.1) are still supported.

... And redirects to the summary in the official release notice from Grigori's blog

Application Blocks in Enterprise Library

Enterprise Library 4.0 – May 2008 contains the following application blocks:

Caching Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate a cache in their applications. Pluggable cache providers are supported.
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 a system.
Security Application Block. Developers can use this application block to incorporate authorization and security caching functionality in their applications.
Unity Application Block. Developers can use this application block as a lightweight and extensible dependency injection container with support for constructor, property, and method call injection.
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.

Getting started with Enterprise Library

If you are new to Enterprise Library:

Read Introduction to the Enterprise Library.
Download, compile and run QuickStart samples—study the code.
Read through related QuickStart Walkthroughs and “Key Scenarios” sections of the documentation.
Practice Hands-On Labs.
Join the webcast in June 2008 (the exact date will be announced on the Enterprise Library landing page).

If you already know and love Enterprise Library:

Check out the change log for this release.
Upgrade to V4.0—no code change is required—simply update the references to the corresponding application block assemblies and to the common assemblies.
Download the updated QuickStarts and run through the Unity-integrated examples to get the flavor of new dependency injection style of using the Enterprise Library;
Join the webcast in June 2008 (the exact date will be announced on the Enterprise Library landing page).

Enterprise Library 4.0 / Unity roadmap

Adlai Maschiach — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:17:51 GMT

Enterprise Library 4.0 / Unity roadmap

Grigori Melnik has posted a post about the EntLib/Unity roadmap. As we can see , there's an estimation regarding the release of Enterprise Library 4.0 : "mid-end April - Enterprise Library 4.0 release"

Microsoft SOA and Business Processes Conference Videos

Adlai Maschiach — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:49:00 GMT

Microsoft SOA and Business Processes Conference Videos

For those of us who weren't in the Microsoft SOA and Business Processes Conference , in Redmond from the October 29th to November 2nd , here is the link for the videos
http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/event.aspx?id=84

ESB Guidance Architects User Group Presentation PPT

Adlai Maschiach — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:26:36 GMT

ESB Guidance Architects User Group Presentation PPT

First, I have to admit that I have enjoyed my self. Knowing that about 150 people have registered just added to my confidence that I have to do my best on this lecture.

Ok, the file we have all been waiting for can be downloaded from here

The file contains the PPTX and VSD ( of the ESB Guidance schema )

The architecture is ripe and ready for use in PROD environment.

enjoy =)

Managed Services Engine (MSE) [AT] Codeplex

Adlai Maschiach — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:39:08 GMT

Managed Services Engine (MSE) [AT] Codeplex

There are many SOA Governance tools in the market, among them are AmberPoint and SOA Software , which are known for their implementation of the ESB Guidance. (Microsoft ESB Guidance - Release)

One more, which starting it's way, is the MSE , the Managed Services Engine, a solution that supports service virtualization through a meta data-driven service repository using .NET and Microsoft SQL Server.

Overview

The Managed Services Engine (MSE) is one approach to facilitating Enterprise SOA through service virtualization. Built upon the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and the Microsoft Server Platform, the MSE was developed by Microsoft Services as we helped customers address the challenges of SOA in the enterprise.
The MSE fully enables service virtualization through a Service Repository, which helps organizations deploy services faster, coordinate change management, and maximize the reuse of various service elements. In doing so, the MSE provides the ability to support versioning, abstraction, management, routing, and runtime policy enforcement for Services.

.NET Framework 4.0 = "BizTalk/SOA Express Framework" ? PART2

Adlai Maschiach — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:00:31 GMT

.NET Framework 4.0 = "BizTalk/SOA Express Framework" ? PART2

Now, I just wanted to say "I told you so" ( again ) - .NET Framework 4.0 = "BizTalk/SOA Express Framework" ?

BizTalk MAPs which are like XSLTs would live side by side with XLINQ 'auto-generate' "MAPs"
BizTalk Orchestrations would live side by side with Workflow Foundation "Orchestrations" (here)
"Old" Adapters already live side by side with "New" WCF based Adapters ( which can be used outside BizTalk as well )
BRE ? - Workflow foundation has one =)
.. ahh , almost forgot, Long Running Transactions ? here some

In short most of the BizTalk components would have an equivalent in the .NET Framework, But I guess you got the point last time =)

All is missing , for me any way, is a good sample of REST using WCF along side BizTalk and a cup of hot coco

You want the twist ? I have a feeling I should say .NET Framework 4.0 would be more "ESB Express". The source code of ESB is already public , and we know that you can see the source code of the .NET Framework from Visual Studio 2008 =) , and AmberPoint has released an AmberPoint Express Edition so I guess you could plug it in like CrystalReports to your VisualStudio 2009, not to say that ESB is ALREADY part of the Pattern & Practices of Microsoft.

Was that far enough to the future for you ? NO ?!? well how about an overshoot - Enterprise Library 6.0 would have an ESB infrastructure, that's the plan ? I don't know , just a lot of BizTalk people are currently bubbling about MOA ( Middle Out Approach ) and for some of us Enterprise Library is a very important part of our "Middle Layer" infrastructure.

I know I know , this time I went a bit too far. OK ! so I exaggerated more then a BIT.

If I'm wrong no one would remember ( I hope ), but if I'm right, that's a different ball game...

BTW I'm giving a lecture on ESB this coming Sunday , 27th Jan 2008 , which is intended to regular developers as well =)

BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Extensions For Windows Workflow Foundation SDK V1

Adlai Maschiach — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:16:00 GMT

BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Extensions For Windows Workflow Foundation SDK V1

Ok, so let's start with the title first
So here's the download link BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Extensions For Windows Workflow Foundation SDK V1

This SDK Sample provides a good solution to the difficult choice between BizTalk Server or Workflow Foundation by directly allowing you to choose both =)

Enterprise Library 4.0

Adlai Maschiach — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Enterprise Library 4.0

Tom Hollander's blog has just release a post about Dependency Injection coming in EntLib v4, which is making reference to Grigori Melnik post Making Dependency Injection Simpler in EntLib 4. The post by it self is interesting, but what is more interesting is the fact that the Version number has changed from v3.5 to v4.0, and that this is one of the first "official" posts about version 4.0 !

I know we are all waiting for the first CTP / Beta to be released, or just future plans ( of feature list ) would be just as good.

.NET Framework 4.0 = "BizTalk/SOA Express Framework" ?

Adlai Maschiach — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:42:13 GMT

.NET Framework 4.0 = "BizTalk/SOA Express Framework" ?

Ok, let me first say that this is MY OWN current mashup !

Well lets look at the current status:

In the year 2005, Microsoft have released the .NET Framework 2.0. In it was the FREE ( as opposed to the "you have to buy" ) products: ASP.NET 2.0 WebParts, ASP.NET 2.0 Memebership provider (a "Forms Authentication component") and SqlServer Express 2005 = what you got is the ability to write you own "SharePoint 2005 Express Edition", great no ?

In the year 2006, Microsoft have released the .NET Frameowrk 3.0. In it was the FREE products: Workflow Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation and CardSpace = What we got is a base for Sequential/State Machine/Data-Driven Workflow [WF] which can communicate, with support in Transactions, with all most any thing [WCF] in a secure way [CardSpace]. Well all of these have created a way to build a "partial SOA platform". Why do I say partial? mainly because SOA is Message based, and some one has to build and process Inbound and Outbound Messages in a fastest and with least code manner, just like what we have in BizTalk - Pipelines , Adapters.

Today, in 2007, we have the new and shiny .NET Framework 3.5, which has just now been released. One of the main architectural aspects that came along with the .NET Framework 3.5 was the LINQ concept. LINQ has become the current buzzword, and for a very good reason, with LINQ we have among other the XLINQ, DLINQ and PLINQ. Using these we would be able to communicate with any Data[DLINQ] / XML[XLINQ] message in a the fastest way [PLINQ]. But as all things, even components have to mature in the industry, and the industry waits for a "SP1" of the product. By the time "SP1", in this case .NET 4.0, would mature, the long waited Entity Framework would be complete, thus completing the circle for creating a Framework which has the ability to go side by side with Microsoft's next SOA platform - BizTalk 2009.

The plans for 2009, the expected release year of .NET Framework 4.0, is still unknown. But, as an example, if we look at the history of VC++ 6.0 , with the release of .NET Framework 1.x, MFC was not thrown away, just future development was put into a halt. The same I expect to be in our case, BizTalk Orchestrations would be able to live side by side with WF Workflows. On the same level Adapters and Pipelines would be able to be replaced with WCF and LINQ components

Just look at the pictures below, and do the math ( each picture has a link )

from the The BizTalk Server 2006 Messaging Engine

from the: Developing Adapters Using the Adapter Framework

from the: An XML Guru's Guide to BizTalk, Part 2

K2 - Business Process Management Solution Provider Improves Developer Productivity

Adlai Maschiach — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:44:30 GMT

K2 - Business Process Management Solution Provider Improves Developer Productivity

A long long time ago, I can still remember how, That music used to make me smile (American Pie, the Madonna Edition), That's what comes to my mind when you say K2.

Back in 2003, when I first encountered BizTalk (2002), when it was worth knowing as a real application, I have always compared it to K2, or better what BizTalk can do and K2 can't and the other way around. Well it seems that K2 Business Process Management Solution Provider Improves Developer Productivity is one of the early adopters case studies about LINQ. The other ones are Xcalia, OpenNETCF Consulting and Sogeti Group.

Microsoft ESB Guidance - Release

Adlai Maschiach — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:15:00 GMT

Microsoft ESB Guidance - Release

I am very pleased to tell you that the ESB Guidance From Microsoft/CodePlex has arrived to it's ESB Guidance - November 2007 =)

I have done a Webcast: ESB Guidance - Prerequisites, Install, Config and ESB Portal, so start ESBing =)

Summary

The Microsoft ESB Guidance uses Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2 to support a loosely coupled messaging architecture. BizTalk Server includes a powerful publish/subscribe mechanism for messaging applications that works by creating and filling subscriptions, which provides a highly efficient and scalable platform for service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications.
The Microsoft ESB Guidance extends the functionality of BizTalk Server to provide a range of new capabilities focused on building robust, connected, service-oriented applications that incorporate itinerary-based service invocation for lightweight service composition, dynamic resolution of endpoints and maps, Web service and WS-* integration, fault management and reporting, and integration with third-party SOA governance solutions.
The Microsoft ESB Guidance was developed jointly by the patterns & practices team and the Connected Systems Division.

Audience Requirements

The Microsoft ESB Guidance is intended for developers working with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 and who build solutions that leverage the Service Oriented Architecture pattern. To take full advantage of the Microsoft ESB Guidance, developers should possess knowledge and experience working with the following:

Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
Microsoft .NET development techniques, including the development of ASP.NET Web services and .NET Framework components

What's New

This is the first full release of the Microsoft ESB Guidance. Compared to the latest community technical preview release, this release contains the following new features:

New ESB Web services, including the Itinerary and Resolver services
New samples that demonstrate itinerary processing, UDDI service integration, and the BizTalk Operations and Resolver services; the ESB Management Portal, and an implementation of the Scatter/Gather pattern for Web services
New core features, such as itinerary processing, centralized event logging, the Exception Management Framework; it also introduces the AmberPoint Embedded Nano Agent for BizTalk Server and the SOA Software Management Point for BizTalk Server.

BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Posters

Adlai Maschiach — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:52:10 GMT

BizTalk Server 2006 R2 Posters

While all of us are waiting for a glimps of informations about BizTalk vNext - OSLO , The next genereation, at BizTalk booth in TechEd Developers 2007 in Barcelona, there were two large posters displaying the capabilities and architecture of BizTalk.

Those posters are now available for download.

"Whiteboxing" the mystery of BizTalk Server. ;)

But, for those who are more into the .NET Framework, there's always the 3.5 .NET Framework posters in a full size PDF version.