The Web Client Software Factory is a framework for developing ASP.NET and Ajax
applications implementing proven patterns and practices. This framework is part
of Microsoft Patterns & Practices.
Advantages
Some of the core advantages of using the WCSF are:
Module based Development: We can create each business module as separate
library and it provides reusability and easier maintainability.
Model View Presenter: Separation of User Interface giving more
flexibility in manageability and unit testing.
Service Dependency Attribute: Allows injection of class instances to
modules, resulting in instance reusability and less instance creation overheads
Overall it would be a good to have framework at the cost of learning.
Installation for Visual Studio 2010
It would be a two step process.
Step 1: First we have to install Guidance Automation Extensions for 2010.
Guidance Automation provides the infrastructure for automated project creation
actions inside Visual Studio IDE.
http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/25e4b5e9-65e4-4950-967d-5f1e6a9dcbeb
Click on the Install button to proced.
Step 2: After installing the GAX 2010, you can proceed with downloading
the actual WCSF 2010.
http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/8fc2c9d6-5282-404b-9c58-e72b326b1e26
Click the Install button to proceed with and you could see the status below.
Validating the Installation
You can validate the installation by running VS 2010 and creating a new WCSF
solution.
Execute VS 2010 and choose File > New Project
You should be able to select the project option below:
Select "Web Client Solution" from the dialog and enter the project name and
click Ok button.
Now you will be prompted with further WCSF project options
Click Finish to complete the wizard. This will create 1 Shell Module and 1
website with all the necessary library file references added.
Back in the IDE you can try executing the project. You should be able to see the
application below.
Summary
The Web Client Software Factory along with Guidance Automations helps in easing
the creation of web client applications. There are certain concepts like
Modules, MVP, Service Dependency etc. to be adapted which will be continued in
the next series of articles.
Note: For installing WCSF for Visual Studio 2008 the following 3 setups
are needed.
Step1: Guidance Automation Extensions - February 2008 Release
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=DF79C099-4753-4A59-91E3-5020D9714E4E&displaylang=en)
Step 2: Guidance Automation Toolkit for Visual Studio 2008 - February
2008 Release
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=B91066B3-D1D6-4990-A45F-34CF8DBDC60C&displaylang=en)
Step3: Web Client Software Factory - February 2008 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=47755838-049B-4291-AFEA-A379AE28D7B3&displaylang=en)