ASP.NET Dynamic Data Quick Tips - ASP.NET RAD Development for Data-Driven Websites
by David Hayden ( Florida ASP.NET Developer ), ASP.NET 3.5
Earlier I mentioned the ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions CTP Preview that was released. It has the very cool ASP.NET MVC Framework as well as ASP.NET Dynamic Data Support, which comes packaged as a new website development option that offers some really cool ASP.NET RAD Development for developers needing to quickly create website prototypes or data-driven websites. Put down your code generator, because I think you will find this cooler if you haven't checked it out already :)
Getting Started with Dynamic Data Websites
You need to download the ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions CTP Preview to get ASP.NET Dynamic Data Support, and once you do, you will have a new option to create a new Dynamic Data WebSite in Visual Studio 2008:
Add LINQ To SQL
When you create the Dynamic Data WebSite you will get a pre-populated solution with a number of ASPX Templates, Images, a MasterPage, Web.config, etc. The solution won't run, however, because the Dynamic Data Website Solution expects LINQ To SQL as a data provider. Therefore, you need to add LINQ To SQL to the project:
The name of the LINQ To SQL DataContext does not matter. You just need to add it to the project and drag some tables from a SQL Server Database onto the designer. I chose Northwind.
Enable Templates for Scaffolding
If you run the website now, you will see nothing, because scaffolding is not enabled by default. You need to go into your web.config and enable templates:
For kicks, I also populated the dataContextType to the name of my DataContext, NWDataContext, but this isn't necessary. The website must by default use reflection to look for a proper DataContext.
Dynamic Data WebSite in Action
Now that you have added LINQ To SQL and enabled scaffolding, go ahead and run the Dynamic Data Website to be in awe at what you were able to do in a couple of minutes:
ASP.NET Dynamic Data Tutorials and Resources
Now that you are all pumped up about the possibilities of Dynamic Data as your favorite ASP.NET RAD Development Tool, you can browse other Dynamic Data tutorials and resources:
Conclusion
How could anyone be unhappy about being an ASP.NET Web Developer? We have
- ASP.NET MVC Framework
- ASP.NET Dynamic Data Support
- Web Client Software Factory
- ASP.NET WebForms development
There is something for everyone!
by David Hayden ( Florida ASP.NET Developer ), ASP.NET 3.5