Wow, this XML Tools Update page contains tools and classes that can handle just about everything you could imagine doing with XML. There are classes to handle XML diff and patch, an SgmlReader class with built-in support for reading HTML, a long awaited update to the msxsl.exe tool called nxslt.exe, and much much more. I just wish I had a reason to use all this great stuff.
Here's a link to an article by Eric Gunnerson I've referred to several times.
The article contains the following tips and tricks:
I saw this page about using XSLT to display an RSS feed within an ASP.NET page. Looks pretty slick and easy to implement. I might use something similar to display a listing of recent headlines from my blog somewhere on the new www.joshchristie.com site I'm working on.
Microsoft released some great code today for handling the mundane, but often-repeated tasks of data access and configuration management.
The data access block allows you to replace the usual "create connection, create command, set command type, etc." code with the following statement:
SqlDataReader reader =
ExecuteReader(connectionString, storedProcName, parameters);
There are all sorts of methods to choose from whether you need to get back a DataSet or just execute a non query.
The configuration management block looks like an easy way to save and load application configuration data. It even allows you to store the configuration options in a database, XML files, or the registry.
BTW, You can also find the application blocks on GotDotNet Workspaces, but you might have trouble finding them if you aren't logged in with a Microsoft Passport account -- for some reason, viewing the workspaces only works when you log in, otherwise it gives a workspace not found error.
I've finally setup a blog! Now for a very brief introduction.. I'm a software developer who works most of the time with the Microsoft .NET framework. If I'm not on the computer, I'm probably out running in the futile attempt to get back into racing condition.
That's enough for now, my next entry is going to have to have some interesting content if this blog is going to be read by anyone but myself. :)