Chapter 11 Generating .NET 2.0 Persistent Objects and Windows Applications

Generating Code for Windows Application

Before generating code for Windows Application, you need to install CAB (available from http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/cab.asp) . Check for the following required files in your installation directory:

• Microsoft.Practices.CompositeUI.dll
• Microsoft.Practices.CompositeUI.WinForms.dll
• Microsoft.Practices.ObjectBuilder.dll

To generate UnitTest code:

1. Select Tools→Check Model to verify if there are errors or warnings in the model. If there are errors, fix them before continuing with code generation.
2. Select Tools→General Options, and click the Variables node.
3. Add a variable CAB_PATH with the value of your installation directory
4. Select Language→Generate C# 2.0 Code or Generate Visual Basic 2005 Code to open the Generation dialog box.
5. Specify a target directory, and then click OK to begin generation.
   
   The following files will be generated:
   
   
   • Domain files (persistent classes, mapping files)
   • DAL files (database connection file and data access files)
   • A solution file and project files
   • A login dialog
   • Forms for persistent classes
   • Controller files

For each persistent class, PowerDesigner generates:

• A find dialog for searching objects
• A list view form for displaying find results
• A detail view form for displaying object's detailed information
• A create view form for creating new objects

You can deploy or edit a Windows application in an IDE, such as Visual Studio .NET 2005.