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A SQL Server Leap Year Test Function

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:55:31 GMT

Transact-SQL does not provide a standard function that allows developers to determine if a year is a leap year. This article describes two functions. One to calculate the number of days in a year and one that utilises the result to identify leap years.

Visual Studio Achievements, now a reality!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:13:24 GMT

Follow up to last year's comic story on Visual Studio having game-like achievements.

A Generic Equality Comparer for LINQ

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:26:20 GMT

LINQ operators generally use lambda expressions to control their processing and output. Some operators use IEqualityComparer<T> implementations to compare values. This article describes a generic comparer, driven by delegates, designed for use in queries.

Basic Volume Control

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:34:42 GMT

Microsoft Windows allows the system audio volume to be changed or muted with on-screen controls. This software control can be exploited in .NET applications to increase or decrease the volume or to mute the computer's sound altogether.

Attaching Continuation Tasks to the UI Thread

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:30:27 GMT

Parallel tasks can be used in Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation applications to run slow processes without blocking the user interface thread. However, this presents a problem, as both systems prevent other threads from updating controls.

Cancelling Parallel Loops

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:02:22 GMT

The Task Parallel Library includes static methods that provide parallel equivalents of the for and foreach loops. As with parallel tasks, these loops can be cancelled by other processes using a system of cancellation tokens.

Generate Return Values Using Lambdas in Moq

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:56:56 GMT

Mock objects and stubs created using the Moq framework are generally used to inject dependencies with expectations that define fixed results. For more complex scenarios, lambda expressions can be used to generate results based on provided arguments.

Obtaining the Week Number for a Date (C#)

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:54:30 GMT

Accounting software, time-keeping utilities and calendar applications often present dates using week numbers that commence at the beginning of the year. Using the .NET framework's Calendar class a week number can be calculated using a number of rules.

Reading and Writing INI Files (C#)

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:07:32 GMT

Initialisation files known as INI files provide a standard means for storing configuration information for software in a text file. Although rarely used by .NET applications, there are situations where these files must be read and written to using C#.

Responsive Web Design: A Means To Something

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:33:33 GMT

A designer's take on responsive web design.

Why Many Developers Hate ASP.NET and Why They're Wrong

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:10:11 GMT

Few platforms draw the same amount of ire as ASP.NET (or .NET in general) from the development community. While there are certainly valid criticisms of the platform (what platform doesn't?), the majority of negativity comes from those who haven't spent any time with .NET. Those developers typically rely on misconceptions or flat out hatred to base their opinion, and they do a disservice to others looking to learn a new technology and to the platform itself. So, let's examine these excuses and add a dose of reality on why you shouldn't listen to the rabble and give ASP.NET a try.

SOLID - Things Every Senior .NET Developer Should Know, Part 2

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:09:34 GMT

Think you're a senior .NET developer? Then you should already be familiar with SOLID, a set of five principles originally introduced by Robert Martin. These principles will help guide you towards better, more maintainable code and may help you have more fun at the same time. In this article, I'll cover the Single Responsibility, Open-Closed, Liskov Substitution, Interface Segregation, and Dependency Inversion principles.

Task Cancellation

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:28:12 GMT

The fourteenth part of the Parallel Programming in .NET tutorial examines how parallel tasks are cancelled. This includes stopping single tasks, co-ordinating the cancellation of multiple tasks and dealing with tasks that are cancelled before they start.

Locking the Workstation Programmatically

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:16:34 GMT

Microsoft Windows operating systems include the ability to lock the workstation. This leaves programs running but prevents access by unauthorised users, requiring a password to unlock the computer and continue working.

.Net Client profile annoyance, and how to get rid of it

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:26:34 GMT

How to change project templates so it defaults to the full .Net framwork instead of .Net Client Profile

A Generic Circular Buffer

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:41:34 GMT

A circular buffer is a type of fixed size, first in, first out queue. The spaces in the buffer can be thought of as connected in a ring. Items in the buffer are never moved. Instead, changeable pointers are used to identify the head and tail of the queue.

Continuation Tasks (.NET)

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:27:48 GMT

The eleventh part of the Parallel Programming in .NET tutorial considers the use of continuation tasks. These are parallel tasks that start automatically when one or more other tasks complete, allowing a chain of dependent tasks to be executed correctly.

Mocking Property Expectations with Moq

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:47:32 GMT

Moq provides similar capabilities when mocking properties of classes or interfaces as when mocking methods. Although the same verification and expectation set up methods can be used in some circumstances, there are additional options for properties.

The three pillars of unit tests: A helpful guide for beginners

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:03:57 GMT

If you're new to TDD, then this short but sweet article by Pawel Olesiejuk is just what the doctor ordered. It covers the three pillars of test-driven development, which should push anyone just learning TDD in the right direction.

.NET Math Library

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:58:37 GMT

The .NET framework includes a class named "Math", which provides a number of standard mathematical functions, using static methods, and mathematical values, using simple constants. This article describes all of the Math class members.

Waiting for Parallel Tasks to Complete

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:57:50 GMT

The ninth part of the Parallel Programming in .NET tutorial considers that the parallel nature of tasks means that it is not possible to assume that tasks have completed. It describes how to synchronise tasks and capture their unhandled exceptions.

Best .Net Articles for September 2011 - Get 'em while they're hot!

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:46:11 GMT

September brought us another 500+ submissions, and once again we've put a number of our community members to the task of picking the very best. This time, in addition to sharing 8 of the top articles from last month, we're going to also share some of this month's hot topics.

C# Runtime Compilation

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:34:12 GMT

The .NET framework includes classes that allow the code generator and compiler to be controlled from within an assembly. This allows C# source code, held in a string array, to be compiled at run time and executed using basic reflection techniques.

Why would anyone use MSTest over NUnit?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:56:00 GMT

So we've caged up two of our moderators - Drew and Vijay - had them takes sides and completely investigate everything in preparation for battle. Now it's time to let them loose! And you're welcome to the melee!

Checking Password Strength

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:49:18 GMT

Many computer systems require that a password is provided before permitting access to sensitive data. As some passwords are easy to crack using brute force techniques, it is common to give the user feedback to show the strength of their selected password.