Real Benefits of DAL - Extend It! ( Programming in VS2005 & 2008, ASP.Net 2.0 )

Forum General DotNetN... Extend It! ( Pr... Real Benefits of DAL

2/3/2006 3:40 PM

	Edward Beck
190 posts

Real Benefits of DAL

I'm not sure about the benefits for the DAL model shown in the 4.x / .net 2.0 tutorials on building modules - except for the xxxInfo class object. Can someone shed some more light on this?

If my data structure changes, I have to update at least five files (DataProvider Abstract methods, SQL DP, stored proc calls, controller for returns, and info class structure, and at least one control file) - correct? Maybe I'm not getting the abstract part of the scenario.
I do see the value of the object orientation in the classes and I love the controller.vb concept. But the SqlDataProvider.vb and DataProvider.vb seem to add more work - unless there is a lot of presentation controls/BLL involved. So is that the real benefit? Having a number of complex BLL and UI items, referring to the data class structures? Is there a for Dummies section on this?
Is there a correct order for developing these files? I used the starter template, modified to put my company namespace in by default, generated the template module, and then altered the DB, SP's, and then edited the code files one by one - but am wary I may miss something. Is there a better way to do this?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

2/5/2006 4:47 AM

	Evgeny Shapiro
30 posts

Re: Real Benefits of DALD

Have you ever thougth that it is the work of a programmer to get the data to the user? :). So If your data structure changes you get real trubles at all levels DAL, BLL, PL no matter what model is used. One of the aspects of this model is that the BLL is completly independent from the Data Layer except for the structure. This means that Database changing (from SQL Server to Oracle for example) results in a little or no code changing at all. Despite this fact this happens quite rearly :)) The DNN model seems a bit sophisticated... May be the situation would get better at further versions.

Best regards, Evgeny

2/6/2006 5:28 PM

	Edward Beck
190 posts

Re: Real Benefits of DALD

Oh of course that is the job of a full fledged programmer... I'm a hack one just trying to sell the concept to an organization still struggling with HTML and basic asp.
I spent the weekend digging into DAL, and understand it a bit better now - but am still struggling with the DNN starter kit modules. Probably more of an issue since I'm trying to port previous .net 1.1 work over. DNN will save me a ton of time, but I need to proof things, hence trying to pick it up quickly.
Thanks though.

2/6/2006 10:23 PM

	Ben Allfree
20 posts

Re: Real Benefits of DALD

You should look at DAL code generators like LLBLGen Pro and CodeSmith. LLBL has a pretty steep learning curve, but the advantage is clear when you change your schema and simple re-generate your DAL :)

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