Archive for June, 2009

Open Sql Server Express instance while working in Visual Studio

In my Visual Studio project, I've added a local mdf database ("Service based database") to support Sql Server Express. By default, these databases are configured to run as user-instances. As a side-effect, it's not possible to work with your project as you would normally do, and at the same time open the database in Management [...]

Installation of Sql Server Express 2008

Ok, the installation of Sql Server (Express) 2008 is not of the type "next-next-finish". I first installed the Sql Server Express 2008 instance, and then I wanted to have the Management Studio. (not a very exotic scenario is it?!) I ran the setup, and I selected the option to add new features to an existing [...]

Use .config settings from your test project

There's an extra step you have to take when you write a unit-test for a method that reads a config-setting. Assuming you have set up a separate test project, it will look for the config file in the test project directory. We could simply add an app.config here, but then we would have to manage [...]

Team Foundation Sidekicks

Team Foundation Sidekicks is a freely downloadable product suite designed to improve productivity when working with team-foundation version control. There is another companion product that works with MSBuild.   The utilities provide a graphical interface to various functionalities that are only available through the command-line interface.   My two favorite features: delete the workspace for [...]

10 Silverlight tips and tricks

I attended the Dutch Devdays, and there was a great session of Gill Cleeren on Silverlight. He explained several tips and tricks, which are definitely worth checking out!   The tips are: •Creating a custom install experience•ASP.NET Membership Integration•Double clickety-click•Debugging services•Duplex services•Silverlight and SEO•Virtual Earth in Silverlight•Drag’n’drop and hit testing•Model-View-ViewModel•Async unit tests