Do you use the VS Hosting Process for debugging?

[szlamany]

I'm just starting to use VS 2010 - not sure if this was available in VS 2008 - but I was reading about the Hosting Process you can start for debugging.

This allows you to call methods and jump into breakpoints in them without starting the whole app running.

Is this really the case? Does anyone use this feature and what else does it offer?

Thanks!

[kareninstructor]

I have found some pretty cool debugging features in VS2010 that I have tried but never actually used, the feature you mentioned I have not used. What I have found to be of great value are code contracts which I used in one project.

[szlamany]

I'm creating a complex solution - at this time 4 projects with one executable being the UI and the other 3 are back ground services - httplistener's communication methods in place between them all.

Seems I could create a 5th executable and put common methods on that executable. Seems I could debug them without a "actual thread" like FormLoad or AppStart or something like that...

Do you package common functions in DLL's still in VS? I've not done a project as complex as this since VB6 days...

I saw someone say you can call functions from other executables as long as you reference the project they are in from that project.

Got read up I guess - off to search forum and google...

[kareninstructor]

I create business and data projects, which any executable in the solution can reference along with common utility dll projects. Also will create a class or module, place it in a common folder under the solution then when adding this file to a project select “link” which is a two edge sword in that any edits affect all projects which have the file as a link. Another idea is creating base classes in say a data project that has been setup to not be used directly but instead inherited where the base class enforces specific rules and/or contains common base code. I have found building complex solutions in this manner really helps a lot in many ways. The downside to all of this is more up front planning.