1. Level Up Your Biml:
Best Practices and Coding Techniques
Cathrine Wilhelmsen

2. Thank you to our sponsors!

3. Session Description
Is your Biml solution starting to remind you of a bowl of tangled spaghetti code? Good! That
means you are solving real problems while saving a lot of time. The next step is to make sure
that your solution does not grow too complex and confusing – you do not want to waste all
that saved time on future maintenance!
Attend this session for an overview of Biml best practices and coding techniques. Learn how to
centralize and reuse code with Include files and the CallBimlScript method. Make your code
easier to read and write by utilizing LINQ (Language-Integrated Queries). Share code between
files by using Annotations and ObjectTags. And finally, if standard Biml is not enough to solve
your problems, you can create your own C# helper classes and extension methods to
implement custom logic.
Start improving your code today and level up your Biml in no time!

4. Code Management
…the next 60 minutes…
C# Classes and MethodsPractical Biml Coding

5. Cathrine Wilhelmsen
@cathrinew
cathrinew.net
Data Warehouse Architect
Business Intelligence Developer

6. Biml vs.
BimlScript

7. Biml vs. BimlScript
Generate, control and
manipulate Biml with C#
XML Language
"Just plain text"

8. Biml
Biml is an XML language – it's just plain text
Easy to read and write – but can be verbose
You probably don't want to write 50000 lines of
Biml code manually...?

9. Generating Biml
You can use any tool to generate Biml for you:
• Text editor macros
• Excel
• PowerShell
• T-SQL
…but the recommended tool is BimlScript :)

10. What is BimlScript?
Extend Biml with C# or VB code blocks
Import database structure and metadata
Loop over tables and columns
Expressions replace static values
Allows you to generate, control and manipulate Biml code

11. BimlScript Code Nuggets
<# … #> Control Nuggets (Control logic)
<#= … #> Text Nuggets (Returns string)
<#@ … #> Directives (Compiler instructions)
<#+ … #> Class Nuggets (Create C# classes)

12. BimlScript Syntax
<# var con = SchemaManager.CreateConnectionNode(...); #>
<# var metadata = con.GetDatabaseSchema(); #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<# foreach (var table in metadata.TableNodes) { #>
<Package Name="Load_<#=table.Name#>"></Package>
<# } #>
</Packages>
</Biml>

13. BimlScript Syntax: Import metadata
<# var con = SchemaManager.CreateConnectionNode(...); #>
<# var metadata = con.GetDatabaseSchema(); #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<# foreach (var table in metadata.TableNodes) { #>
<Package Name="Load_<#=table.Name#>"></Package>
<# } #>
</Packages>
</Biml>

14. BimlScript Syntax: Loop over tables
<# var con = SchemaManager.CreateConnectionNode(...); #>
<# var metadata = con.GetDatabaseSchema(); #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<# foreach (var table in metadata.TableNodes) { #>
<Package Name="Load_<#=table.Name#>"></Package>
<# } #>
</Packages>
</Biml>

15. BimlScript Syntax: Replace static values
<# var con = SchemaManager.CreateConnectionNode(...); #>
<# var metadata = con.GetDatabaseSchema(); #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<# foreach (var table in metadata.TableNodes) { #>
<Package Name="Load_<#=table.Name#>"></Package>
<# } #>
</Packages>
</Biml>

16. How does it work?

17. Yes, but how does it work?

18. Yes, but how does it actually work?
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<Package Name="Load_<#=table.Name#>"></Package>
<# } #>
</Packages>
</Biml>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<Packages>
<Package Name="Load_Customer"></Package>
<Package Name="Load_Product"></Package>
<Package Name="Load_Sales"></Package>
</Packages>
</Biml>

19. Biml Tools
Comparison

20. What do you need?

21. BIDS Helper
Free open-source add-in for Visual Studio
60+ features for SSIS, SSAS and SSRS
Includes basic Biml package generator
bidshelper.codeplex.com

22. …or you can use the new Biml tools…

23. BimlExpress
Free add-in for Visual Studio
Code editor with syntax highlighting and Biml Intellisense
More frequent updates than BIDS Helper
varigence.com/bimlexpress

24. BimlOnline
Free browser-based Biml editor
Code editor with Biml and C# Intellisense
Reverse-engineer from SSIS to Biml
bimlonline.com

25. BimlStudio
Licensed full-featured development environment for Biml
Visual designer and metadata modeling
Full-stack automation and transformers
varigence.com/bimlstudio

26. Biml Tools Comparison
Free
Biml Intellisense
"Black Box"
Free
Full Intellisense
Logical View
Licensed
Full IDE
Preview BimlScript

27. Code
Management

28. Don't Repeat Yourself
Move common code to separate files
Centralize and reuse in many projects
Update code once for all projects
1. Include files
2. CallBimlScript with parameters
3. Tiered Biml files

29. Include Files
Include common code in multiple files and projects
Can include many file types: .biml .txt .sql .cs
Use the include directive
<#@ include file="CommonCode.biml" #>
The directive will be replaced by the included file
Works like an automated Copy & Paste

30. Include Files

31. Include Files

32. Include Files

33. CallBimlScript with Parameters
Works like a parameterized include (or stored procedure)
File to be called (callee) specifies accepted parameters:
<#@ property name="Parameter" type="String" #>
File that calls (caller) passes parameters:
<#=CallBimlScript("Common.biml", Parameter)#>

34. CallBimlScript with Parameters

35. CallBimlScript with Parameters

36. CallBimlScript with Parameters

37. CallBimlScript with Parameters

38. CallBimlScript with Parameters

39. Tiered Biml Files
Split Biml code in multiple files
Specify the tier per file by using the template directive:
<#@ template tier="2" #>
Biml is compiled from lowest to highest tier to:
• Solve logical dependencies
• Build solutions in multiple steps behind the scenes

40. Tiered Biml Files
Biml is compiled step-by-step from lowest to highest tier
• Biml files with no BimlScript are implicitly tier 0
• Biml files with BimlScript are implicitly tier 1
For each tier, objects are added to the in-memory RootNode
Higher tiers can use objects defined in lower tiers

41. What is this RootNode?
When working with Biml, the
<Biml> root element contains
collections of elements:
When working with BimlScript,
the RootNode object contains
collections of objects:
<Biml>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<Databases>...</Databases>
<Schemas>...</Schemas>
<Tables>...</Tables>
<Projects>...</Projects>
<Packages>...</Packages>
</Biml>

42. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

43. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

44. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

45. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

46. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

47. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

48. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

49. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

50. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

51. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes
<#@ template tier="1" #>
<Connections>...</Connections>
<#@ template tier="2" #>
<Packages>...</Packages>
<#@ template tier="3" #>
<Package>...</Package>

52. Tiered Biml Files: Behind the Scenes

53. How do you use Tiered Biml files?
1. Create Biml files with specified tiers
2. Select all the tiered Biml files
3. Right-click and click Generate SSIS Packages
1
2
3

54. How does this actually work?

55. Annotations
and ObjectTags

56. Annotations and ObjectTags
Annotations and ObjectTags are Key / Value pairs
Use them to pass code between Biml files
Annotations: String / String
ObjectTags: String / Object

57. Annotations
Create annotations:
<OleDbConnection Name="Destination" ConnectionString="…">
<Annotations>
<Annotation Tag="Schema">AW2014</Annotation>
</Annotations>
</OleDbConnection>
Use annotations:
RootNode.OleDbConnections["Destination"].GetTag("Schema");

58. ObjectTags
Create ObjectTags:
RootNode.OleDbConnections["Destination"].ObjectTag["Filter"]
= new List<string>{"Product","ProductCategory"};
Use ObjectTags:
RootNode.OleDbConnections["Destination"].ObjectTag["Filter"];

59. LINQ

60. LINQ (Language-Integrated Query)
One language to query:
SQL Server Databases
Datasets
Collections
Two ways to write queries:
SQL-ish Syntax
Extension Methods

61. LINQ Extension Methods
Sort
OrderBy, ThenBy
Filter
Where, OfType
Group
GroupBy
Aggregate
Count, Sum
Check Collections
All, Any, Contains
Get Elements
First, Last, ElementAt
Project Collections
Select, SelectMany

62. LINQ Extension Methods Example
var numConnections = RootNode.Connections.Count()
foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables.Where(…))
if (RootNode.Packages.Any(…))

63. LINQ Extension Methods Example
foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables.Where(…))
if (RootNode.Packages.Any(…))
But what do you put in here?

64. Lambda Expressions
"A lambda expression is an anonymous
function that you can use to create
delegates or expression tree types"

65. Lambda Expressions
…huh? o_O

66. Lambda Expressions
table => table.Name == "Product"

67. Lambda Expressions
table => table.Name == "Product"
The arrow is the lambda operator

68. Lambda Expressions
table => table.Name == "Product"
Input parameter is on the left side

69. Lambda Expressions
table => table.Name == "Product"
Expression is on the right side

70. LINQ and Lambda
Chain LINQ Methods and use Lambda Expressions
for simple and powerful querying of collections:
.Where(table => table.Schema.Name == "Production")
.OrderBy(table => table.Name)

71. LINQ: Filter collections
Where()
Returns the filtered collection with all elements that meet the criteria
RootNode.Tables.Where(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")
OfType()
Returns the filtered collection with all elements of the specified type
RootNode.Connections.OfType<AstExcelOleDbConnectionNode>()

72. LINQ: Sort collections
OrderBy()
Returns the collection sorted by key…
RootNode.Tables.OrderBy(t => t.Name)
ThenBy()
…then sorted by secondary key
RootNode.Tables.OrderBy(t => t.Schema.Name)
.ThenBy(t => t.Name)

73. LINQ: Sort collections
OrderByDescending()
Returns the collection sorted by key…
RootNode.Tables.OrderByDescending(t => t.Name)
ThenByDescending()
…then sorted by secondary key
RootNode.Tables.OrderBy(t => t.Schema.Name)
.ThenByDescending(t => t.Name)

74. LINQ: Sort collections
Reverse()
Returns the collection sorted in reverse order
RootNode.Tables.Reverse()

75. LINQ: Group collections
GroupBy()
Returns a collection of key-value pairs where each value is a new collection
RootNode.Tables.GroupBy(t => t.Schema.Name)

76. LINQ: Aggregate collections
Count()
Returns the number of elements in the collection
RootNode.Tables.Count()
RootNode.Tables.Count(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")

77. LINQ: Aggregate collections
Sum()
Returns the sum of the (numeric) values in the collection
RootNode.Tables.Sum(t => t.Columns.Count)
Average()
Returns the average value of the (numeric) values in the collection
RootNode.Tables.Average(t => t.Columns.Count)

78. LINQ: Aggregate collections
Min()
Returns the minimum value of the (numeric) values in the collection
RootNode.Tables.Min(t => t.Columns.Count)
Max()
Returns the maximum value of the (numeric) values in the collection
RootNode.Tables.Max(t => t.Columns.Count)

79. LINQ: Check collections
All()
Returns true if all elements in the collection meet the criteria
RootNode.Databases.All(d => d.Name.StartsWith("A"))
Any()
Returns true if any element in the collection meets the criteria
RootNode.Databases.Any(d => d.Name.Contains("DW"))

80. LINQ: Check collections
Contains()
Returns true if collection contains element
RootNode.Databases.Contains(AdventureWorks2014)

81. LINQ: Get elements
First()
Returns the first element in the collection (that meets the criteria)
RootNode.Tables.First()
RootNode.Tables.First(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")
FirstOrDefault()
Returns the first element in the collection or default value (that meets the criteria)
RootNode.Tables.FirstOrDefault()
RootNode.Tables.FirstOrDefault(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")

82. LINQ: Get elements
Last()
Returns the last element in the collection (that meets the criteria)
RootNode.Tables.Last()
RootNode.Tables.Last(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")
LastOrDefault()
Returns the last element in the collection or default value (that meets the criteria)
RootNode.Tables.LastOrDefault()
RootNode.Tables.LastOrDefault(t => t.Schema.Name == "Production")

83. LINQ: Get elements
ElementAt()
Returns the element in the collection at the specified index
RootNode.Tables.ElementAt(42)
ElementAtOrDefault()
Returns the element in the collection or default value at the specified index
RootNode.Tables.ElementAtOrDefault(42)

84. LINQ: Project collections
Select()
Creates a new collection from one collection
A list of table names:
RootNode.Tables.Select(t => t.Name)
A list of table and schema names:
RootNode.Tables.Select(t => new {t.Name, t.Schema.Name})

85. LINQ: Project collections
SelectMany()
Creates a new collection from many collections and merges the collections
A list of all columns from all tables:
RootNode.Tables.SelectMany(t => t.Columns)

86. Debugging

87. Debugging Biml
BimlExpress is a "black box":
• You only see the generated SSIS packages
• Not possible to view expanded BimlScript or compiled Biml
Add high-tier helper files to debug and save compiled Biml to files
• Use Check Biml For Errors to debug without generating packages

88. SaveCompiledBimlToFile.biml
Add the helper file to your project…
<#@ template tier="999" #>
<# System.IO.File.WriteAllText(
@"C:BimlCompiledBiml.xml",
RootNode.GetBiml()
); #>

89. SaveCompiledBimlToFile.biml
…with a high tier so it is executed as the last step
<#@ template tier="999" #>
<# System.IO.File.WriteAllText(
@"C:BimlCompiledBiml.xml",
RootNode.GetBiml()
); #>

90. SaveCompiledBimlToFile.biml
It creates a file…
<#@ template tier="999" #>
<# System.IO.File.WriteAllText(
@"C:BimlCompiledBiml.xml",
RootNode.GetBiml()
); #>

91. SaveCompiledBimlToFile.biml
…at the specified path…
<#@ template tier="999" #>
<# System.IO.File.WriteAllText(
@"C:BimlCompiledBiml.xml",
RootNode.GetBiml()
); #>

92. SaveCompiledBimlToFile.biml
…with all the Biml for all the objects in RootNode :)
<#@ template tier="999" #>
<# System.IO.File.WriteAllText(
@"C:BimlCompiledBiml.xml",
RootNode.GetBiml()
); #>

93. How do you use this helper file?
1. Create the helper file
2. Select all the Biml files and the helper file
3. Right-click and click Check Biml For Errors
1
2
3

94. How do you debug Biml?

95. C# Classes
and Methods

96. C# Classes and Methods
BimlScript and LINQ not enough?
Need to reuse C# code?
Create your own classes and methods!

97. C# Classes and Methods: From this…
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
if (node.GetTag(tag) != "") {
return true;
} else {
return false;
}
}
}

98. C# Classes and Methods: …to this
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
if (node.GetTag(tag) != "") {
return true;
}
return false;
}
}

99. C# Classes and Methods: …to this
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

100. C# Classes and Methods: …to this
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "");
}
}

101. Where do you put your C# code?
Inline code nuggets
Included Biml files with code nuggets
Reference code files

102. C# Classes and Methods: Inline
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (HelperClass.AnnotationTagExists(table, "SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
<#+
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}
#>

103. C# Classes and Methods: Included Files
<#@ include file="HelperClass.biml" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (HelperClass.AnnotationTagExists(table, "SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
<#+
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}
#>

104. C# Classes and Methods: Code Files
<#@ code file="HelperClass.cs" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (HelperClass.AnnotationTagExists(table, "SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

105. Extension
Methods

106. Extension Methods
"Make it look like the method belongs to
an object instead of a helper class"

107. Extension Methods: From this…
<#@ code file="HelperClass.cs" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (HelperClass.AnnotationTagExists(table, "SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

108. Extension Methods: …to this
<#@ code file="HelperClass.cs" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (HelperClass.AnnotationTagExists(table, "SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(this AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

109. Extension Methods: …to this
<#@ code file="HelperClass.cs" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables) { #>
<# if (table.AnnotationTagExists("SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(this AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

110. Extension Methods: …to this :)
<#@ code file="HelperClass.cs" #>
<Biml xmlns="http://schemas.varigence.com/biml.xsd">
<# foreach (var table in RootNode.Tables.Where(t =>
t.AnnotationTagExists("SourceSchema")) { #>
...
<# } #>
<# } #>
</Biml>
public static class HelperClass {
public static bool AnnotationTagExists(this AstNode node, string tag) {
return (node.GetTag(tag) != "") ? true : false;
}
}

111. Code Management
…the past 60 minutes…
C# Classes and MethodsPractical Biml Coding

112. Get things done
Start small
Start simple
Start with ugly code
Keep going
Expand
Improve
Deliver often

113. Biml on Monday…
…BimlBreak the rest of the week 

114. Don't forget… 
Session Evaluations
Sponsor Raffles
After Party

115. @cathrinew
cathrinew.net
linkedin.com/in/cathrinewilhelmsen
hi@cathrinew.net
slideshare.net/cathrinewilhelmsen
Biml resources and references:
cathrinew.net/biml