DbFunctions class of Entity Framework.

Playing with date time in both dotnet and sql server (t-sql) is always challenging and painful for me. Sometimes I forget that, entity framework cannot translate expressions into sql if I convert type using Convert class. like, Convert.ToDateTime(). If I do so then entity framework throws error like:
     "The specified type member 'Date' is not supported in LINQ to Entities. Only initializers, entity members, and entity navigation properties are supported. "

To rescue from  this, Microsoft introduces DbFunctions class from EF6 version. Prior of EF6 it was EntityFunctions. There are lot of built-in functions related to datetime type has been implemented there. Check them out.

Right Way for Editing EDMX File of Entity Framework (EF)

As an object relation mapper, Entity Framework enables user(in this case, developer) to work with relational data in object oriented manner. It helps user to do operations like insert, update, delete, search - in database without writing sql like string and getting help of intelligence of code editor like visual studio.

Updating Entity Framework from database could be hassle if user do not know where to do what. As for example, to update a stored procedure follow the following steps -

1. Open edmx file.
2. Right click and select Model Browser

Delete stored procedure
3. from Complex Type (if any)
4. from Function Imports
5. from Stored Procedure / Functions

Then save, then update from database.


If the Stored Procedure is complex type, that means, it is returning some rows (like table) then follow these steps - 

1. Write these two lines at the beginning - 
    SET NOCOUNT ON
    SET FMTONLY OFF

2. Use temporary table to store data and finally return that table.
    IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb..##PGM_MonthlySalaryStatement') IS NOT NULL
    BEGIN
        DROP TABLE ##PGM_MonthlySalaryStatement
    END

..........
..........
     INSERT INTO ##PGM_MonthlySalaryStatement
..........
..........

    SELECT * FROM ##PGM_MonthlySalaryStatement


Thats it. 

Happy coding

Channel 9 usefull tutorials

Some channel 9 good tutorials:-

Creating Virtual and Augmented Reality Applications on Windows Platform

Developer Productivity: What's New in C# 6

Twenty C# Questions Explained

Security Fundamentals


Game Development:-

Construct 2 Advanced Game Development

Developing Advanced 2D Games with HTML5

Game Production Basics

Developing 2D Games with HTML5

SQL Server DB:-

Database Fundamentals

Open Source Database on Microsoft Azure

Developing Microsoft SQL Server Databases

Designing Solutions for SQL Server

Mission Critical Performance with SQL Server 2014

Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases


ASP.NET:-

Application Performance Monitoring

What's New with ASP.NET 5

Customizing ASP.NET Authentication with Identity

Web API Design

Cross-Platform Development with Xamarin & Visual Studio

Lighting Up Real-Time Web Communications with SignalR

MVC:-

Introduction to ASP.NET MVC

Implementing Entity Framework with MVC

Developing ASP.NET MVC 4 Web Applications

From Microsoft:-


Documentation Resources for ASP.NET MVC 4

PowerShell:-

Advanced Tools & Scripting with PowerShell 3.0

Advanced PowerShell Techniques

Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0

XAML:-

XAML Deep Dive for Windows & Windows Phone Apps

Designing Your XAML UI with Blend

Developing Universal Windows Apps with C# and XAML

TFS and Git:-

Administering Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2012

Using Git with Visual Studio 2013

Software Testing:-

Software Testing Fundamentals

Software Testing with Visual Studio 2012

Test Tools in Visual Studio

JavaScript:-

Introduction to jQuery

JavaScript Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners

HTML5 & CSS3 Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners

Preparing for Exam 98-375: HTML5 App Development Fundamentals

Miscellaneous:-

The History of Microsoft

The Visual Studio Documentary

Developer Diaries

Imagine Cup: Building Your Student Startup

Microsoft Campus Tours

Do More With Your Microsoft Lumia Phone

A Developer's Guide to Windows 10

Visual Studio 2015 Enterprise Videos

Visual Studio TV

EF error - Type '{your_entity_name}' already defines a member called '.ctor' with the same parameter types

Couple of days ago I have decided to set custom database connection string to my entity framework data model in one of my project. Then I have created a partial class with the same name of my entity and modify connection string name of base parameter. like example below -


public partial class DBPointOfSalesEntities
{
  public DBPointOfSalesEntities()
           : base(my.GetEntityConnectionString)
      {
      }
}

and deleted default constructor from [model].cs file.

But the problem is, whenever I update my model, it generates default constructor with default base parameter value. And occurs error for ambiguous constructor name as I have created above.

Then after googling, I found a nice solution - there is a [model].tt file which is called T4 template. Entity model is generating its automatic code based on this template. There is a specific code snippet which is responsible for generating default constructor after updating model from database each time. following is that code snippet. I have just deleted those lines and my problem fixed.public <#=code.Escape(container)#>()
      : base("name=<#=container.Name#>")
  {
<#
if (!loader.IsLazyLoadingEnabled(container))
{
#>
      this.Configuration.LazyLoadingEnabled = false;
<#
}
foreach (var entitySet in container.BaseEntitySets.OfType())
{
  // Note: the DbSet members are defined below such that the getter and

  // setter always have the same accessibility as the DbSet definition
  if (Accessibility.ForReadOnlyProperty(entitySet) != "public")
  {
#>
      <#=codeStringGenerator.DbSetInitializer(entitySet)#>
<#
  }
}
#>
   }


Happy coding...

Using "Crystal Report" with "Visual Studio 2010"

First shocking news is Crystal Report tool is not included by default with Visual Studio 2010. To come back from this shock, download crystal report tool from following link

=> http://downloads.businessobjects.com/akdlm/cr4vs2010/CRforVS_13_0.exe
After install don't forget to restart your computer. Because this is WINDOWS. Then after creating your first report if you get the following exception -
Could not load file or assembly 'file:///C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\Crystal Reports for .NET Framework 4.0\Common\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\win32_x86\dotnet1\crdb_adoplus.dll' or one of its dependencies.

Than open App.Config file. Then find the attribute useLegacyV2RuntimeActivationPolicy and change the value to "true"


Happy Coding..........