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Code Generation with myGeneration

I've been working quite a bit in the last week with some code generation tools as I prepare to do a presentation for Edmug. I think that I've finally settled on using myGeneration for the presentation, primarily because it's free and everyone can download it and my presentation templates after the event. One of the items that I want to discuss during the presentation is the reasons for using code generation. So far I've come up with the following list, but I'm interested in hearing from people what other benefits that they see from utilizing code generation tools.
  • Increase productivity
  • Reduced variance errors
  • Repeatability
  • Consistency
  • Reuse
During the presentation I'm going to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of the tool as well as how increased productivity will come at a cost initially. I'd also like to talk about using code generation as a piece of the continuous integration process. I have to do a bunch of research on this as well as figuring out if CG should be part of CI. That's another point I'm interested in hearing your ideas on.

If you're in Edmonton on the 24th of August, drop by the Milner Library at 530pm for my presentation. If you don't watch here for the contents.

I'm the Igloo Coder and shouldn't myGeneration be called the lostGeneration?

posted @ Thursday, August 03, 2006 12:14 PM

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Comments on this entry:

# re: Code Generation with myGeneration

Left by Tom Opgenorth at 8/3/2006 2:17 PM
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I've been using MyGeneration for a while now (over a year), and I'm a believer in code generation. I've used it to generate a DAL for a database with ~ 100 tables. DB changes don't worry me, inside of 5 minutes I have fresh code that represents the latest database. The provided architecture, dOOdads, is functional, and can get you going quickly. My biggest hangup is that I'm not to sure about the Active Table pattern in general. Really, you can't go wrong with MyGeneration. And it's free. CodeSmith costs to much for a cheapo like myself Should CG be a part of CI? In general, I'd say so.

# Interesting Finds: August 2

Left by Jason Haley at 8/3/2006 8:26 PM
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# re: Code Generation with myGeneration

Left by Anand Narayan at 8/4/2006 4:45 PM
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I use code generation alot...but in a passive way. That means I generate my code to help me get going quicker - setting up the bll, dal, data layer and user interface. Once that is done I don't use the templates or generation anymore. I tweak the code for my specific needs. This works especially well for administrative forms/pages. In this case there is alot of repetition so spit this type of code out and forget it. [Of course make sure your templates are accurate...this is absolutely essential.] I get increased productivity because I'm finished before I can say 'ambasol'. I get better consistancy of code and I can keep adding admin pages using my templates. I use codesmith to generate my code because the syntax is so easy...just like asp.net
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