LightSwitch 2011 Final Released

    Have you ever tried to create a data entry application? For example, for the secretary, is it something like accounting for cards of incoming correspondence? And so that there was a dictionary of correspondents? A couple of three screens of reports on unprocessed letters and correspondents? And it would be nice to link this application with your database marketing department. Despite the apparent simplicity, this task entails a huge number of implementation options, technological solutions and techniques. Would you like to solve such problems, focusing only on the definition of data and small improvements?

    Last night, Microsoft released a new product, Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011. The official definition for this product is "a flexible development tool used to quickly create and deploy desktop business applications and business applications for the cloud." If you are interested in what LightSwitch really is, why it is positioned in this way and how it works, then welcome to cat.

    What is LightSwitch and why it allows you to quickly create applications.


    Let's go back to the example that was given at the very beginning. Based on the data definition, we will build an application:

    first step:
    download and run LightSwitch
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    second step:
    we create a project and define data using business types for which we can immediately determine some validation rules.
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    Third step:
    determine the relationship between tables
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    fourth step:
    (optional) connect external, existing data sources
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    fifth step:
    based on data definitions we generate user screens
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    last step:
    run the finished application The
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    time it takes to get a working prototype based on the data structure is literally measured in minutes. Separately, I would like to note that the product and its documentation are fully localized .

    LightSwitch Architecture



    Many are interested in what is “under the hood” of LightSwitch, on the basis of what technologies and architectural solutions it is built. The LightSwitch runtime is built around the classic three-tier architecture. The presentation layer solves the tasks of interacting with the end user, and the main functions that he performs are visualization, editing and data entry. The logical layer processes requests from the client for editing, data sampling and other operations. The main goal of this layer is to protect data from direct modification. This makes it possible to be confident in the integrity and security of data. And finally, the data layer is designed to store structured information.

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    Designing such three-tier applications can be quite a challenge. Each layer can be created with a huge number of technological solutions and techniques. Each layer may also require different approaches for deployment and management during operation. And finally, each layer should be able to "talk" with each other, taking into account security.

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    In LightSwitch, many of these tasks have already been solved, offering the programmer ready-made mechanisms. The technology base for this is well-established technology. First of all, this is Microsoft Silverlight 4.0 designed to build a presentation layer. The logical layer is based on WCF RIA DomainServices running ASP.NET 4.0. Moreover, the design of this layer implies the ability to run both in local mode (on the end-user computer) and on the IIS server or even in Windows Azure (WebRole). SQL Server or SQL Azure is used as the data storage system; in addition, it is also possible to work with data from Sharepoint 2010 lists.

    Putting it all together


    The components of LightSwitch, carefully tailored to each other, allow you to focus precisely on the implementation of the business component of the solution, without thinking about many of the nuances. At the same time, it is possible not even to resort to Visual Studio by configuring the application and data forms during debugging!

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    Based on data relationships, as well as query parameterization, you can create complete solutions, resorting to programming only in rare cases. But in such cases, LightSwitch allows you to do a lot, as the programmer is provided with a large number of synchronous (intercepting) and asynchronous (notifying) event handlers:

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    In addition to the obvious things related to the appearance of the application, horizontal components such as access control are also implemented. After preliminary configuration in the LightSwitch project properties, it’s enough to add a check for user permissions to the form screens, and then in the administration mode, in the user management screen, give them the required rights:

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    Deployment issues are solved in the same way with the help of a concise and simple assistant that will help deploy the application locally, on an IIS server or even in Azure:

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    Functionality extension


    LightSwitch allows you to expand its standard functions. The client part runs on Silverlight 4.0, and in fact the client has access to all Silverlight features, including interaction with the Windows operating system. It is possible to develop user interface controls. It is expected that many extensions will soon be developed for LightSwitch. A short list of companies that are already preparing add-ons for LightSwitch can be found on the Microsoft website . For example, using the extension prepared by Infragistics, the LightSwitch application can be equipped with an advanced text editor, maps, diagrams, and even in a couple of clicks change the appearance of the application using themes and LightSwitch shell extensions:

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    Conclusion


    LightSwitch is a very interesting tool designed for a narrow but still popular range of tasks - the rapid creation of business applications. This tool takes care of all the routine operations for developing business applications, giving users the opportunity to focus on the unique business logic that meets their requirements. Despite its apparent simplicity, LightSwitch allows you to solve many problems using standard configuration tools, and, if necessary, expand functions using programming and additional components.

    You can learn more about application development using Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 at the Tech Ed Russia 2011 conference , which will be held from November 9 to 10, 2011 in Moscow. registration

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    the first Tech Ed Russia 2011 conference is already open. Until August 1, the maximum discount for tickets is valid, the number of tickets with a discount is limited.

    We are pleased to inform the Habrauser of a special special discount for you. When registering for the conference, enter promo code 678955662996 and you will get the opportunity to purchase conference tickets at a reduced price!

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