I need a bit inspiration!

[Jeff]

Hey

..NET 2.0

I'm about to start learning C# 2.0. I want to develop an C# 2.0 application
which I can use to impress my employer. I think it's much more fun to
program on something I find inspiring... I've spent some hours thinking on
what to program... but all which comes to me are accounts software.. which I
find a bit boring, because so many already exist.. Basically I want to
develop an application where must demonstrate Active Directory, XML, Web
Sevices.. and lots of other subjects within C# 2.0

I also want to have fun doing it, I think I'll learn C# 2.0 faster if I have
fun doing it!

Any suggestions on what I should "try" to develop.. any suggestions are
welcome

Jeff

 

[Bobbo]

I'm about to start learning C# 2.0. I want to develop an C# 2.0 application
Any suggestions on what I should "try" to develop..

Think about something that you or your business needs -- or would find
useful -- and go about it that way.

For example :- at my last company, as a web developer I occasionally
needed to resize an image and didn't want to wade through the swathes
of red tape to get some kind of program installed. So I looked up the
..Net image manipulation classes and went ahead and made my own Windows
Forms application which did the job perfectly. Even though there are
many programs which will perform this task, it was a nice learning
experience to do it myself.

It might not necessarily involve each of the technologies you mentioned
above, but you can always try developing a few different applications.

 

[Robbe Morris [C# MVP]]

What will impress your employer is a simplistic application
that demonstrates proof of concepts. I wouldn't bother
getting overly fancy. If the proof of concept can simply
be related to solving a problem at work, you'll get their
attention.

Plus, you'll want to demonstrate your design skills
and how much faster (thus, most likely cheaper)
you can build things.

I'd start with these links:

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/aspnet_how_to_create_object_oriented_applications_3.asp
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/adonet_source_code_generator.asp
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...01f-d36a82f107e8/net-web-services--excep.aspx
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/847ac120-3cdc-4249-8029-26c15de209d1/treeview-faq.aspx
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...ce-959b56d814cc/aspnet-ajax-automaticall.aspx

--
Robbe Morris - 2004-2006 Microsoft MVP C#
I've mapped the database to .NET class properties and methods to
implement an multi-layered object oriented environment for your
data access layer. Thus, you should rarely ever have to type the words
SqlCommand, SqlDataAdapter, or SqlConnection again.
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/articles/adonet_source_code_generator.asp

 

[Chris]

In most companies there are always some things that would get coded "if they
could get around to it" - but of course, no one ever really does.

At one point in my career, I volunteered to spend a couple hours every night
of my own time to work on those kind of "non-mainstream" projects. By doing
this, you will (I assume) have the opportunity to hit each of the areas you
mentioned below - but in a specific way that your employer would care about.
You also have the added benefit that whatever you create will likely get
used.

Some extra advice - the key here is delivery. Taking on something and not
delivering on it is ... well, not good. You can potentially do yourself
more harm than good if you develop the reputation of not completing a
project you started. If you can, get a list of potential projects, research
them and find the one you believe you are most likely to be able to do in a
week or less. Make sure your don't let your work in the "non-mainstream"
areas impact your daily responsibilities.

Run static code analysis tools (e.g. fxcop, or the VS2005 equivalent) and
then take the time to understand the failures it complains about. Find a
mentor and go over your code with them to improve your design skills.

Over time, projects that you didn't think could get done in a week you will
be able to do in a day. Between fxcop and code reviews you will know how to
create rock-colid code from the start, and that kind of initiative should
certainly impress your employer. In the very unlikely event that they
don't, you've greatly increased your skillset and won't have any trouble
finding an employer that would be more appreciative.

Hope this helps.