Code Generators for VS/VB.NET (2005+)

[techgnome]

I've been tasked to scour the internet and search out tools that will allow us to automate a bunch of mundane coding tasks in our app.

What we DON'T want is an additional layer that sits between us and the data... we've already got that covered. What we DO need is something we can point to a database table(s) and say, GO, and get the usual CRUD SProcs. At the same time, generate the DAL (Data Access Layer), and the BOL(Business Object Layer). Or just the DAL... or Just the BOL.

I've already looked a dozen different products, and most of them either add another layer to the app (which we don't want) or create a dependency by being another project type that has to be added (again, something we don't want).

Basically, what we are looking for is a straight-up code generator that's got a decent templating model that we can use to automate a bunch of boring, repetitious, mundane coding.

If it integrates into VS2005/VS2008, all the better, but I'll take a stand-alone app as well.

So.... any recommendations, suggestions, ideas, comments?

Two I'm currently looking at are CodeSmith and MyGeneration.... are there any others I should know about?


-tg

[maxclinton]

You should take a look at Deklarit (www.deklarit.com), in our VSIP team we tried both CodeSmith and Deklarit, and at the end of the day, with Deklarit as an add-in to VS, plus its partnership with Infragistics, it won our hearts over!

[techgnome]

Yeah, it was on my list. It failed to make the cut. It requires the use of creating new "Deklarit Projects"... which is not what we are after.

-=-=-=-=-=-
Based on my research and our particular needs, here's the list that has made the cut so far. I'm including this, if anyone wants to comment on any of the candidates, or if they are looking for their own needs.
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Codus by Adapdev.Technologies http://www.adapdev.com/index.aspx
• Template driven
• Supports SQL Server
• Current version is 1.4 (april 11, 2007)
• Can also generate NUnit classes for testing
• Creates strongly typed collections
• Interface seems simplistic, possibly clunky
• Output might be overkill – based on diagrams found in online help
• Support forums are broken.
• $59/developer or Site $1999

MyGeneration - http://www.mygenerationsoftware.com/portal/default.aspx
• Massive template library
• Template driven
• Supports SQL Server
• Continuous/active development
• Active support forums
• Rich template object model
• Pure code generation
• Is not tied to a specific architecture – any ties to a given architecture is from the template, not the application
• Open source
• I have first-hand knowledge in its use and templating
• Does not have to be database-driven
• Does support the use of SProcs
• Can be used to generate VB.NET and SQL code
• Free

LLBL GenPro - http://www.llblgen.com/defaultgeneric.aspx
• Supports nearly all Frameworks (1.0 -3.0 and CF.NET1.0 & 2.0)
• Template driven
• Standalone app
• Has a Template Studio IDE
• Highly customizable
• Supports partial classes
• Allows for special “protected” user regions to prevent overwriting custom code
• Supports the use of SProcs
• Can be template to urn with the LLBL GenPro architecture or as standalone (architecture agnostic)
• Pricing: 1-2 229.00/Euros; 3-5 199.00/Euros; 6-10 179.00 Euros; 11-20 169.00/Euros; 20+ 159/Euros
• Active forums
• Price includes support & updates within a version

NextGeneration by radSoftware - http://www.radsoftware.com.au/codegenerator/
• Template driven
• Customizable templates
• Generation is based on “Solutions” which allow multiple template sets to be run against the same data source
• Can be used to create VB code and SQL scripts
• Generation is done in a simple wizard style app
• Not tied to any specific architecture
• Has no support forums, but does have a support contact page
• $279/developer – doesn’t mention site license or volume discounts

TierDeveloper by Alachisoft - http://www.alachisoft.com/main_index.html
• Template drive – customizable
• Can generate SQL Scripts
• Allows for custom object naming independent of database object names
• Supports partial classes to protect custom code
• Stand alone app
• VS IDE-like interface
• While it automates code… it looks like the setup maybe more time consuming than it’s worth – based on online demo
• Pricing: 1 developer: $1495; 3pack $3995; 5 pack $5995; 10 pack $9995
• Maintenance is extra

TCDesigner by Program Solutions - http://www.tcdesigner.com/
• Cannot find any indication if it is template driven or not
• Uses custom data objects, not DataAdapters… not sure if this ties it to a specific architecture or not
• Definitely database driven
• Stand alone application
• Pro-version – 149/developer
• Standard - $10/developer
• Alludes to being able to generate SQL, but documentation is meager
• No support forums; does have a support email

ApexSQL Code - http://www.apexsql.com/default.asp
• Template driven
• Comes with Template IDE incl Intellisense
• Can create VB code and CRUD SProcs
• Flexible
• Supports all version of SQL Server
• Does not appear to be tied to a specific architecture – if it is, it is because the template is tied to it
• Templates can be parsed & debugged
• Pricing- a bit complex, depends on the # of yrs for support & number of developers


Below is pricing for ApexSQL Code only… others available for Development Studio & Universal Studio
Support # yrs 1 developer 2-4 developers 5-9 developers 1-+ developers site
0 $399 $319 $279 $239 $2,633
1 $499 $399 $349 $299 $3,293
2 $559 $447 $391 $335 $3689
3 $579 $463 $405 $347 $3,821

• Support forums available. Moderately used, mostly around releases

CodeSmith Tools - http://www.codesmithtools.com/
• Template driven – customizable
• Architecture agnostic
• Template determines architecture binding
• Can generate SQL Scripts
• Also comes with a console application
• Active forums & community
• Integrates with VS IDE
• Separate SDK license can be purchased for integration in to application
• $399/developer; 5-pack 10% off; 10-pack 15% off; 25-pack 25% off
• Premier support available @ $99/user/year – all licensed users must have support option to utilize benefits – comes with guaranteed 2 day turn around on support items
• Online template library available
• Supports VS2008
• Cannot tell if it is database driven or if it can be run for non db-based coding


=-=-=-=-=-
In addition, we had CodeBreeze by SteelBlue Software, but it's been knocked out of the running.
Code Breeze by SteelBlue Solutions - http://www.steelbluesolutions.com/Default.aspx
• VS IDE-like editor
• Template driven – customizable
• Templates can be batched together
• Architecture agnostic – determined by the template, not the app
• Also contains a console app that can be run via DOS console
• Allows for a plug-in architecture, extending the generator
• Pricing: $499.99/dev; $449.99/5-10developers; $424.99/11-15developers; $399.99/26-29developers; $374.99/30+developers
• Forums were down, support pages hard to reach. Might be due to not being logged in with an account.
• Unable to successfully login to download trial – site just appears to go around in circles. Takes it out of the running.

I should note, there are at least another dozen or so that we eliminated out of the list right from the get-go. They generally included any tool that was tied to a specific architecture. We've already got one in place, and are just looking for a straight-up code generator where we can plug in a couple of options, hit a button and get 80-90 of the common code we'll need.

-tg

[RhinoBull]

TG, why are looking for code generator?

[techgnome]

It's called, out app has over 800 components.... all in VB6. Eventually they will be converted. A lot of the components are going to have the same basic code structure, with some variations.... all of which is very tedious, and not easily copied & paste, paste, paste. At least that's the immediate need.... in addition, we will also need something that can be templated and run to create our CRUD SProcs and DALs.

-tg

[RhinoBull]

800 (!) components? Not opposing anything but sounds like way too many so there must a hole in the architecture...

But thanks for sharing.

[techgnome]

Trust me.... that's about right.... between the DLLs and the OCXs, that's about right.... give or take a multiple of 50. This thing has been evolving for almost 10 years now.... And it's a highly customized piece of software (no two installs are the same)...

At any rate, none of us really want to sit there and code code that runs and SP, then transgfers the data to a data object.... and then create a collection of that object.... so We're looking to automate that part of it.

-tg