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The Entity Framework vs. The Data Access Layer (Part 1: The EF as a DAL)

In Part 0: Introduction of this series after asking the question "Does the Entity Framework replace the need for a Data Access Layer?", I waxed lengthy about the qualities of a good data access layer. Since that time I've received a quite a Read More...

The Entity Framework vs. The Data Access Layer (Part 0: Introduction)

So the million dollar question is: Does the Entity Framework replace the need for a Data Access Layer? If not, what should my Data Access Layer look like if I want to take advantage of the Entity Framework? In this multi-part series, I hope to explore Read More...

Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Server 2008 for aspiring Architects

Are you an architect or an aspiring architect interested in learning what's new this year for the MS platform? On February 11th, 2008 come to the MS Canada Office in Mississauga and visit yours truly and some other dazzling speakers to learn more about Read More...

Are we still talking about Stored Procedures vs. Dynamic SQL?

Rob Howard and Frans Bouma still are. And I guess, I am now too. Let's summarize a few of the facts from these counter points: Any form of pre-compilation or cached query plan arguments are moot betweem SQL and Procs. Rob has some outdated information Read More...

When is a database oriented as a service?

Do you consider your database as a service? It's worthwhile to review the tenents of a service oriented architecture . The first two tenents above are probably the most relevant to my question. If you do all of your data access through stored procedures, Read More...

SOA Challenges: Entity Aggregation

Ramkumar Kothandaraman has a good article just released on MSDN discussing SOA Challenges: Entity Aggregation . Aggregation is a much better name than “composable entities“ since it's definition implies that property sets of an entity grow Read More...

Layered Design and DataSets for Dummies

Scott Hanselman does a nice 30 second intro into layered design. If any of this is new to you, run quickly to read this . Scott does a quick bash at Datasets (although doesn't say why) and in my new role as DataSet boy I have to disagree with him and Read More...