In-Depth Features


Not Just a Designer: Code First in Entity Framework

Code First is a new development approach in the Entity Framework 4.1 stack that can simplify the understanding and maintenance of your domain model.

Silverlight Code: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

A developer's guide to unlocking the power of code reusability.

Visual Basic and C# at the Crossroads

How the Microsoft co-evolution strategy has shaped the two flagship languages of the .NET Framework, and what it means for developers going forward.

6 MVVM Tips: Leverage ViewModel and Unit Test Silverlight and WP7 Apps

The Microsoft Model-View-ViewModel pattern is an indispensable tool for developing applications for Silverlight, Windows Phone 7 and Windows Presentation Foundation. Benjamin Day helps you avoid architectural pitfalls and create unit-testable and maintainable applications.

Improve Authentication with Windows Identity Foundation

Windows Identity Foundation turns authentication over to token servers, reducing demands on developers while preparing the way for a service-oriented world. It also integrates with the authorization mechanisms you're already using.

Build Big-Data Apps in SQL Azure with Federation

Get ready to scale out SQL Azure databases beyond today's 50GB limit with the Transact-SQL and ADO.NET elastic sharding features, which are coming in the 2011 SQL Azure Federation Community Technology Previews.

Take Unit Testing to the Next Level

How to associate unit tests with requirements in Visual Studio 2010.

MonoDroid Tutorial Part 2: Building a MonoDroid App

In the second part of this tutorial series, Wallace McClure walks you through the basics of creating a MonoDroid app.

MonoDroid Tutorial Part 1: Introduction to MonoDroid

In the first part of this tutorial series, Wallace McClure walks you through what MonoDroid is and how .NET developers can use it to create Android apps.

Understanding the Dynamic Keyword in C# 4

The dynamic keyword brings exciting new features to C# 4. Find out how it works and why it simplifies a lot of your coding tasks, including some handy COM interop possibilities.

Developer Tips: Making the SharePoint Transition

ASP.NET developers can have trouble finding their way through the SharePoint maze, because much of what they know is wrong. Here's a baker's dozen of tips to lead you in the right direction.

The 2011 .NET Survival Guide

A look inside the critical technologies and tools that will shape .NET development over the next year.

.NET Survival Guide: Mobile and Windows Phone 7

After a watershed year in 2010, .NET developers can finally put their programming skills to use to create and sell apps for the Windows Phone 7 platform, introduced last February and available in Windows Phones in the United States since early November.

.NET Survival Guide: Web and RIA Development

Microsoft's latest announcements make it clear that, when it comes to delivering applications over the Web, the choices for the .NET developer are ASP.NET and ASP.NET MVC.

.NET Survival Guide: Cloud and Software as a Service

Cloud computing solutions vary considerably, yet claim superior privacy, security and scalability over on-premises deployments that also require the expense of an IT department to manage them.

.NET Survival Guide: Data Access Technologies

The frequency with which Microsoft has changed database access technologies is remarkable, with each new scheme offering the promise that .NET developers have finally arrived at a long-term solution.

Survival Guide: Line-of-Business Development

Microsoft's efforts to improve mobile, Web and cloud application development have captured a great deal of mindshare over the past year.

.NET Survival Guide: Multi-Core and Parallel Development

In 2011 even low-end laptops come with two cores and, at the high end, eight and even 16 cores aren't uncommon.

.NET Survival Guide: Application Lifecycle Development

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is a critical measure of a team's maturity and development effectiveness.

Measuring Test Effort Progress with EVM

An important part of a software testing -- or coding -- effort is the ability to measure progress. One way for doing this is a technique called Earned Value Management (EVM). Find out how easy it is to apply EVM to your own projects.

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