The first drop of Web client guidance is out on codeplex!
What is this?
Its a guidance( from the Microsoft patterns and practices team) on how to design highly Responsive Web Apps using Asp.Net AJAX, JSON and jQuery on the client with classic Web forms or the Asp.Net MVC framework, including how to get progressive enhancement going. What's that? You site will remain working as well as responsive even when your javascript is turned off. And, here's the part which is most important... it includes a reference implementation(RI) to show exactly how to use the different technologies to get a nice UI experience going for the customers. The RI shows a Music store site with an in memory song repository(so you don't need a million dollar licensed database to run the RI..sweet!). And we have the data repository separated from the Controllers and the views in pure MVC fashion, for the purists.
So we have all these: asp.net mvc, .net Ajax client library, Json, jQuery used on a base of the .Net 3.5 framework, stuffed into the RI and you can copy-paste the code from in there..or modify it as you wish...or even correct our mistakes and foul mouth my team...:).
But its all in the open now. Have a look at it here:
http://webclientguidance.codeplex.com/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=38202
The ReadMe will tell you more about how to use the RI.
We also have free bonus gifts in the package!
- Unit tests done in QUnit and Acceptance Tests done using the Lightweight Test Automation Framework(LTAF). Check it out! Its cool!
-A validation QuickStart(QS) showing you exactly how to use validations on the client side as well as the server( the progressive enhancement thing etc etc..), how to use the jQuery validation plugin. how to use the MVC Data annotations, also do some custom validations.
-A QuickStart on how to add MVC functionalities to your classic WebForms application. This should help you in a transition like phase where you shift your app from Webforms to asp.Net mvc.
-The RI done in classic webforms style. So if you are into classic webforms and do not want to use the Asp.Net MVC framework, well...no issues, the package still remains as valid for you as for everyone else!
- Multiple Documents on how to do everything that I just told you all about..:): build responsive UIs,how to do validations(implemented in the QS), how to prevent Cross-site scripting and Cross-site request forgery.(you didn't think we would leave security out did you?)
A more detailed feature evaluation and list is given by Blaine.
So go ahead and check it out. I bet that it will be pretty useful for any web developer, or designer in ways more than one.
