Web services via class library - how to diagram?

Web services via class library - how to diagram?

• mikhey

  Hi Kerry,
  
  The designer that Bill's referring to won't be in version 1. We've documented the technique for reverse-engineering Web references in class libraries as endpoints on consumer applications by copying the appropriate config file entries from the class library to the consumer application's config file. Do you have access to info about this technique
  
  
  
  

• raj416

  Nope, I never received anything from Esther and in fact I ended up dropping the diagrams from my solution. I found that overall they actually caused me more work than they were worth.
  
  For example when changing the namespace of an application or a web service half the diagram turned red (as of September ctp) and had me recreating the diagram or hacking the xml to fix it, then having to redo the ldd etc; very tedious. Didn't quite work seemlessly enough for me (why isn't there a refactor namespace ).
  
  However, we are still small enough not to need the diagrams as a formal architectural tool. I'll wait for version 2.0.
  
  
  

• Graham D

  Hi Kerry,

  I apologize for the late reply, it seems my subscription wasn't working, so I wasn't notified there were additional posts to this thread.

  If you're still interested, here's pointers to the documentation about how to reference class libraries on application diagrams. An update is also planned for this topic for better readability:

  http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms242487.aspx

  
  
  

• Wesamsoftware

  Hi Kerry,
  
  There's a recent post by Bill Gibson, a senior program manager on VSTESA, that might answer your question:
  
  http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/ShowPost.aspx PostID=85706
  
  If this isn't the info you're looking for, please let me know, and I'll find the right person to get the answer for you.
  
  Thanks!
  
  

• Marie -devBiz

  Wow, quick reply :)
  
  No, I haven't seen that information yet. I can probably work it out, but any links you have handy would be gratefully appreciated.
  
  Thanks Esther
  
  

• dslaby

  The September CTP did not have a good build of the designers. Therefore, please do not take the CTP build's quality to be indicative of the quality of the final release. The issues that you have highlighted do not occur in the released product.
  
  As for the issues with Class Libraries, the following TechNote is really useful in understanding why Class Libraries are not shown on the Application Diagram:
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/teamsystem/reference/technotes/apps_designer/class_lib.aspx
  
  Bill Gibson has also written a TechNote that specifically targets the pattern that you have identified:
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/teamsystem/reference/technotes/apps_designer/connect_apps.aspx
  
  For the next version of VSTS we are actively looking at providing a better modeling experience over Class Libraries.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Ali Pasha
  Program Manager | Visual Studio Team Edition for Software Architects
  
  
  

• Hinemac

  Hi Esther,
  
  Yep that article is useful and I agree with Bill, I'm glad to see it's a hot topic too. He doesn't mention when the extra diagram will be implemented however (I'm currently using beta 2)
  
  Because the web references are on the application, I can see developers making WS calls directly from the app rather than the class library. I can get around this somewhat with training and code reviews, but it would be good if there was a "don't add web reference" type setting so only the configs are set up in the app.
  
  This would save any confusion, as I could add the web references manually to the class library until the new diagram comes along.
  
  
  

• raibeart

  I'm having the same problem about modeling web service access through a class library. Since Patterns & Practices recommends using a Service Agent when talking with a Web Service, this seems like it would be a common occurrence. The Service Agent would be in a class library so many applications could use it.
  
  Did Esther or anyone else ever posts links/documentation on reverse-engineering Web references Not sure if that will answer my problem but it might help. However, going from code to diagram isn't really what I want. I want the diagram to help in the coding, not the other way around.
  
• Web services via class library - how to diagram?