Initial planned features

[Thomas.Darimont]

Hello,

here is a list of features we are currently experimenting (prototyping, feasibility studies) with:

1. Support for editing Spring.NET configuration files (Code Completion, Go to source)
2. Semantic / consistency checks and validation
3. Spring specific Configuration section in Project Properties
4. Definition of Configsets
5. Object Configuration Graph Visualization (Go to source)
6. Object Definition Wizard

1.) Provide support for editing of Spring .NET specific XML Configuration files mainly in terms of code completion / assist.
Here we model ourselves on the nice support for spring configuration file editing in the fabulous Eclipse based Spring IDE which you can find here:
http://springide.org/project/wiki/BeansXmlEditor

For the first prototype we're planning to add support for:

1. Code completion for object types, properties and object refs
2. Navigation to the appropriate Class files from the configuration file

2.) TBD

3.) / 4.)
Spring specific configuration section in Project Properties
Project information specific to spring should be managed like normal project properties.

5.) Object Configuration Graph Visualization (Go to source)
Here we model ourselves again ;-) on the nice support for the visualization of spring object wiring in the fabulous Eclipse based Spring IDE which you can find here:
http://springide.org/project/wiki/BeansGraph

For the first prototype we're plannig to add support for:

1. Visualization of the object graph wiring
2. Navigation to the appropriate object definition from the visualization elements

6.) Object Definition Wizard
Create an Object Definition from a Type. This will work as follows:
Write your class
-> select the appropriate .cs File in solution explorer
-> select Spring IDE Tools => Generate Object Definition from the context menu
-> A wizard appears
-> Within this wizard you see page split into two parts (upper and lower)
within the upper part you'll see a tree control with a checkbox on each node checkbox that represents the inheritance structure of the selected type including its properties.
-> Select the type you want to be included in the object definition
-> Select the properties you want ...

As you select a type / some properties
You can see the generated xml for the object definition in a xml editor in the lower part.

-> Copy the generated object definition into your Spring Config file (or let the wizard do it for you)

Feel free to add comments, suggestions

Best regards,
Thomas

Ps.: Sorry for my bad english...

[Thomas.Darimont]

Hi,

We're planning to support the following IDEs:

1. Visual Studio 2008 (Express)
2. Sharp Develop 2.x / 3.x

As those platforms are quite different regarding architecture and features we have to find a way to deal with their particularities.
In oder to this, we'll create a generic IDE abstraction layer which offers just the functionality we need for implementing our planned features.
On top of this IDE abstraction layer sits an IDE specific layer. This IDE specific layer is used to realize the concrete features within the target IDE (hooking into menus, project properties, build process, xml editor / provide custom editors etc.)

Best regards,
Thomas

[.ben]

This looks promising, it'll not only help those who are allready using spring but also atleast convince a lot of developers, who don't look further then the tools offered in the standard IDE, to give it a try.

[kennethxu]

This is great. Wondering if VS 2005 can be considered as well. As we are still using VS 2005. Also, any comments on upgrading from VS 2005 to VS 2008 as our solution and CCNet build are currently all VS 2005 based.

Anyway, I'm so happy to see happening.

[Romain]

It's a great project initiative.

[jonh]

the eclipse Spring IDE graphical context view is sorely missed now im working in .Net land. I look forward to the first results.

[roboguy]

Hi Thomas,

I might be interested in developing IDE support for MonoDevelop. I'm not promising too much at this stage as I don't have a lot of spare time, but just thought I'd register my interest.

Cheers,
James

[CyberPunk]

Sounds like a nice idea, will it be a plug-in component for VS? Any updates on this?

[heoque]

I'm very interested , what about VS 2008 isolated mode ? very promising and robust , please reply if some one interested !

[Josephine]

Hi guys,

This forum seems to have gone quite for a while, just wondering what the latest is and whether you've got any ideas when it might be available?

Thanks,

Josephine