Plunging into .NET Development

Weblog Pieter Gheysens
Microsoft .NET Development - C# - Enterprise Library - Visual Studio 2005 Team System - Compuware DevPartner - ...
 


Wednesday, December 26

Remote connection to SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition

When you try to connect to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition from a remote computer, you may receive an error message.

An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1326)

SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition comes with network connections disabled. Use the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration tool to enable remote connections to the SQL Server.



More information in knwowledge base article 914277.

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Sunday, December 23

Default Team Build Failure with DBPro project

Building a default Team Build with an included DBPro project in the solution will fail by default in Visual Studio 2005 Team System and in Visual Studio 2008 Team System. This is quite frustrating and it's really a pity that Microsoft let us down here. Of course, there is a workaround, but it requires a few manual steps before you get it rolling and it spoils the out-of-the-box experience!

Last friday, my colleague Thomas Annerel (who still hasn't a blog ;-)) and I did a presentation for the VISUG on Visual Studio Team System 2008 Database Edition. We announced there that we would put the workaround for the Team Build online ...

Here's a brief summary of what you need to do:
  • Create a new build definition with a Default configuration
    The only listed configuration options are Debug and Release but Database projects do not define these kind of configurations, so you need to manually set the Default configuration.



  • Copy elements DefaultDataPath, TargetConnectionString and TargetDatabase from the .dbproj.user file on your local file system and enter these elements at the appropriate locations in the .dbproj file.



    Non-default values for the DefaultDataPath, TargetConnectionString, and TargetDatabase properties are stored in the .dbproj.user file which is not under source control and won't be available for a Team Build. You need to enter these elements in the .dbproj file. By default you will see an undefined entry for the DefaultDataPath property and an empty element for the TargetConnectionString property and the TargetDatabase property in the .dbproj file.

  • Override one of the standard Team Build targets to add a custom task to Team Build and set the SQLDeploy target.



    I have chosen to override the BeforeTest task, so I will also be able to run my Database UnitTests on the database that gets deployed with this custom task.
These custom actions should do it! Be aware that the account that's running Team Build (Team Build service account) on the Build Server should have the desired permissions to deploy a database on the target database server - otherwise you will run into a DesignDatabaseFailedException (insufficient permissions to create the database project).

Note : slides from our presentation will become available shortly on the VISUG website!

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Tuesday, December 18

IDesign Architect's Master Class with Juval Lowy

I've spent quite some time with arranging this IDesign Architect's Master Class for Compuware Belgium, but I can now finally expose all the details! It's official and you can start to register ...

In the week of March 31, 2008, Compuware Belgium will organize the IDesign Architect's Master Class with Juval Lowy. IDesign focuses solely on the design and architecture phases of development. As such they are unique in the industry and have attained a unique position of industry leadership and reputation. They offer advanced training classes and mentoring on the technology at hand. Don't miss this unique training opportunity and register now your place in the IDesign Architect's Master Class with Juval Lowy. Places are limited.

Juval Lowy is a software architect and the principal of IDesign, specializing in .NET 3.0 architecture consulting and advanced .NET 3.0 training. Juval is Microsoft’s Regional Director for the Silicon Valley, working with Microsoft on helping the industry adopt .NET 3.0. His latest book is Programming WCF Services (O'Reilly 2007). Juval participates in the Microsoft internal design reviews for future versions of .NET and related technologies. Juval published numerous articles, regarding almost every aspect of .NET development, and is a frequent presenter at development conferences. Microsoft recognized Juval as a Software Legend as one of the world's top .NET experts and industry leaders.

Any .NET architect, project lead or senior developer would benefit greatly from the class. The class relies on WCF as a reference model. Prior knowledge of WCF is recommended.

Date : March 31, 2008 - April 4, 2008 (5 days)
Location : Compuware Belgium
download full course details and registration form

There's also some extra interesting community news to tell. Because Juval Lowy will be in Belgium that week (March 31, 2008), I've made an early agreement with him to deliver an evening session for the Visual Studio User Group (VISUG) in Belgium. After Scott Guthrie (February 2007), we will be able to add another great name to our list of speakers in 2008! More details will follow soon on my blog!

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Tuesday, December 11

Visug news flash

Next VISUG Events on December 21, 2007 :
  • VSTS Workshop @ Compuware
    Three in-depth sessions about Visual Studio Team System will be delivered for free to you by the Professional Services Division of Compuware Belgium.
    • 12h30 : registration
    • 13h00 – 13u30 : Intro Visual Studio Team System / Team Foundation Server
    • 13h30 – 14u45 : Advanced Version Control with Visual StudioTeam System
    • 15h00 – 16u15 : Automate The Build Process with Team Foundation Build
    • 16h30 – 17u45 : Integrating DB Developers in The Software Development Life Cycle with VSTS for DB Professionals
  • VISUG Geek Dinner @ Leuven (18h30)
    The ideal time & place to share your experiences with your peers! Drinks will be on the VISUG! But do not forget to register before December 14 on the VISUG website to be on our guestlist! Spread the word and meet us there! Everyone is invited!
More information (+ registration for events) available on the VISUG website.

By the way : the Visual Studio User Group is also present at Facebook from now on. A public VISUG group has been created, so don't forget to join us on Facebook!

There is also an MSDN Evening scheduled on December 19, 2007 at Utopolis Mechelen. My colleague and VISUG member Yves Goeleven will give an introduction on Visual Studio Team System 2008. A lot of possibilities to get you up-to-speed with VSTS 2008!

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