LLBLGen Pro is an ORM tool that generates a complete data access tier and business object layer from a database schema. It has been around for over 5 years and is easy to use. The developer designs the database, points LLBLGen Pro to it, selects the tables and views to include, and generates the .NET code. This provides an immediate DAL and business objects. LLBLGen Pro supports many databases and .NET versions and has features like auditing, validation, and SOA support. It is inexpensive and has benefits like ease of use, extensibility, and encouraging good database design. The developer provides several examples of using it successfully in applications.

1. The Devevning ORM Showdown!Dave Haweshttp://blog.davehawes.com@davehawes

2. Coming up...A brief history of the toolWhere you can get it fromHow is it usedWhere I have used itWhat are it’s good pointsWhat are it’s bad pointsThings I think people should know about

3. A brief history of the toolCreated by Solutions DesignEstablished product, over 5 years oldFransBouma is lead developer, a MVP (he knows his beans)@FransBouma

4. Where you can get it fromThe LLBLGen Pro websitehttp://www.llblgen.comPricing1 to 2 - EUR 249.003 to 5 - EUR 219.006 to 10 - EUR 199.0011 to 20 - EUR 189.00More than 20 - EUR 179.00

5. How is it usedUses the database schema of 1 or more databases as its domain modelLists all Tables and Views as entities which can optionally be added to your code gen project as EntitiesLists Stored Procedures which can be added as ActionsGenerate .Net DAL based on 1 of 2 templates

6. LLBLGen Pro generates the complete data-access tier and a business objects tier, utilizing powerful O/R mapping technology and a flexible task-based code generator.GUIBLLLBLGen ProDatabase

7. DAL and business objects are immediately available.Percentages of the total number of man-hoursx30 %80%GUIx40 %20%BLx30 %0%DALDatabase

8. LLBLGen In Action – Create Database

9. Model In Sql Server

10. Point LLBLGen at Database

11. Create Entities From Tables

12. Hit Generate and get your .Net project

13. Out of the Box Database SupportSqlServer 7/2000/2005/2008Oracle 8i/9i/10g/11gMySql 4.x/5.xIBM DB2 7.x/8.x /9.x driverFirebird 1.x/2.xPostgreSql 7.4+/8.x Sybase ASESybase ASA Microsoft Access 2000/XP/2003/2007 driver

14. AzureWhen I last checked when using my Azure CTP account, LLBLGen DALs would connect and run against a single Sql Azure database but could not use it as the domain model.

15. .Net Versions and LanguagesSupport for multiple .NET versions:Generated code supports .NET 1.0/1.1/2.0/3.0/3.5, CF.NET 1.0, 2.0, 3.5 and generated Visual Studio.NET project files are compatible with Visual Studio.NET 2002/2003/2005/2008. Languages supported:All functionality is supported in both C# and VB.NET.

16. More... Customers have access to the SDK and full source code for all parts of LLBLGen Pro except for the designer. The SDK can be used to customize the various subsystems of LLBLGen Pro.

17. FeaturesAuditingAuthorizationValidationFlexible concurrency managementTransparent authorization and auditingDeep, fine grained validation frameworkEfficient, tunable, querying systemDistributed systems (SOA) supportIn-memory filtering and sorting of entity graphsSee full list here: http://www.llblgen.com/pages/features.aspx

18. Where I have used itMy website adventure:http://www.skillbook.co.ukhttp://www.tcbooker.comhttp://www.safetytrainingnetwork.co.ukMany small apps based on AccessCreating a webservice sitting between Oracle and Microsoft Crm

19. Good PointsVery very easy to useIs owned an run by a ‘Product company’Very clear roadmapVery good support from both community and companyVery extensible (if required)Encourages good database design

20. Bad PointsHmmm, struggled to come up with any

21. LLBLGen 3 this yearLots of new features including:model first development To support NhibernateEntity FrameworkLINQ To SQL

22. SummaryIt is a very easy to use productImplements latest .Net coding techniquesSupports a wide range of databasesProfessional and Community supportClear Roadmap for the productInexpensive for the benefits it returns

23. Thank you for your timeQuestions?Dave Haweshttp://blog.davehawes.com@davehawes