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| How to create a module for DNN4 w/ VS2005 Pro... |
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Hello.
I am currently using VS2005 Pro (VB.NET 2005). I recently installed DNN4 and need to develop many modules, as the DNN community does not seem to have a large amount of free modules.
Ive got a very good setup of DNN on my test-server, and it is skinned. I wanted to start developing a module, so i copied all the data from the server, onto my local pc, and ran the solution.
A few things came to mind. After skimming most of the documentation I became quite overwhelmed, as it to me, seems like this is a much greater task than I had previously felt.
While looking in the DNN Module Developers Guide, i was unable to follow even the first few steps (Creating a class project to DNN) in VS 2005. Besides this, the whole guide seems to expect you to know OOP, which I do not. Beyond this, i am unable to actually compile my DNN locally, and the DNN Mod Developers Guide seems to expect you to build and publish everything onto the server, if i understand it right. I truly am confused, would someone please help get me in the right direction? The modules I need should not be complicated ones, but they dont seem readily available in the community.
My personal preference to creating modules is somewhat like what I had used in the PostNuke mentality. Create a folder, follow a template, and upload it. Add the module in postnuke, and use it. So you will have to forgive me, while i try to loose this mentality, as simple as it seemed to be for me.
Thanks, any help is appreciated...
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| Re: How to create a module for DNN4 w/ VS2005 Pro... |
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Can you tell us how much experience you have with Vis Studio and/or .NET? So we can pitch it to you correctly.
I have to add i am no DNN expert and have only recently had time to
look at it (this week). However I have a lot of time in .NET and
as it is based on it i can probably help with your questions.
Did you install the starter kit? It would seem the ideal solution
for you at present. This will allow you to start a complete new
framework and site on your local pc for developing and has nice easy
setup for modules and skins from within the VS menu. This is
similar to your postnuke method. Only they create the folder for
you :)
Let me know if you have problems and I will try to help
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| Re: How to create a module for DNN4 w/ VS2005 Pro... |
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Hello,
My experience with Visual Studio.NET is this. Ive only used VS.NET 2005, and code in a more or less function-based way. I dont know oop, and im sure I dont use VS.NET to its fullest abilities, but I have been quite capable of getting my jobs done. Typically I use datasets, and nothing else to work with, if that helps as well. (BTW i do know how to manually code SQL) (Learned it from back in my PHP/MySQL days, just a few differences really in general syntax)
I am using the DNN 4.0.2 starter kit. I have been able to build a basic sample module like in: http://forums.asp.net/1114393/ShowPost.aspx
But this tutorial is not adequate to teach me what I need to know to get started. I was able to create 1 module, and that was just a modification of the sign-in module already in DNN. Its code was available, and all i did, was create a new module usign the above formentioned tutorial, then cut/pasted the sign-in module code, and modified it to my wants (it was style-only changes).
A few ideas of what types of modules I will need to develop are:
- One to connect into our payroll server (MSSQL database) and build a directory of all our employees.
- One to connect into our phone system (unknown source) and build an extension list for our office.
- One to connect into an (unknown source) for our office email listing. This will also give an email/msn account list for our office. (This may be integrated into Active directory, in which case I will be looking into the Active Directory module, but this module is of lesser importance).
I have a big need to learn to code in DNN4.0.2 as there are a lot of things i want to do, i only listed off the first few...
Im at a loss as to what to do, as my questions are many, and posting to this forum is quite slow, with the approval and waiting for response process.
What Im severely confused at:
- How to communicate with the database (i understand it uses stored procedures, and ive already played around with them).
- How to communicate to a totally different server if necessary.
- What files do what, and how to code for them (i.e. do these files use OOP? I see lots of class references, So i would imagine so... but maybe its just my lack of understanding of this use of .NET... i dont know...
Im really at a loss as to how to code for this in short...
On a seperate note, I have built my first skin, and its working great. During the setup of my first skin, i did receive quite a bit of basic knowledge on how DNN worked... i.e. what was in each menu, etc... as I navigated to certain items.
Thanks!
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| Re: How to create a module for DNN4 w/ VS2005 Pro... |
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There is no quick fix i am afraid. You will be on a steep
learning curve for .net, oop and DNN. If you are prepared to put
in the time and effort i assure you it will pay off dividends.
Some of the problems you appear to have are more of a lack of experience in oop by the sounds of it and n tier architecture.
I think your best option to get you going quickly is to look back over
that tutorial again and the module you created. Rip it apart and
see what you do and dont understand. It has most things you will
need to be able to build all you want. It has parts that are for
hooking into the dnn framework and other parts that just do the modules
specific job. You have to understand those to be able to make
your own.
Take it in small chunks, do lots of reading and build yourself another
copy of a dnn site on your pc that you dont mind trashing if you make a
mistake ( I use vmware and virtual pc for just such things ).
If you are stuck on specifics then i am sure we can help in here.
But please ask small specific questins rather than general ones (such
as how to talk to the database - which would need an indepth
explanation of n tier architecture, GoF patterns and more)
You will be surprised how quick you can grasp it once you get into it all.
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| Re: How to create a module for DNN4 w/ VS2005 Pro... |
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I tend to think you are correct... My problem is with oop/n tier architecture more than anything.
Even though I think I understand the n tier arch. That in itself isnt much of a problem. I think i just need to study oop a lot more...
Well, that being said, lets start with a hopefully smaller question.
Besides setting up an SQL database connection, what preperations do I need to make so that my new module would be able to talk specfically to this new SQL database, using DNN? (This is assuming that I understand how DNN modules communicate to the default database)
Thanks
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