I looked back and realised I had missed a few updates to post ( I blame Microsoft for bringing out lots of great things all at once )

Light switch Beta 2 is out get it here, the site now suggests that a July 26th launch date is on the cards

StyleCop 4.5 has now been released get it here , if you haven’t tried StyleCop, its main aim is to help deliver standards of code style and standards across an organisation, but it is in fact a perfect pair to FxCop (see the Windows 7.1 .net 4.0 SDK) as FxCop analyses binaries , StyleCop analyses source code.

if you haven't already scoot over to Richards blog for updates from the ALM Rangers on some cool TFS work

b.

For all of you who know that I am a big big fan of StyleCop, I am super pleased that Doug Holland has released  is a new update of a set of really good code snippets

Get them here

I would recommend reading Doug's blog posts for the last two updates, well worth the effort.here and here

Doug also has some StyleCop compliant project templates which are well worth a peek

Get them here

b.

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking at EPICenter Ireland at Trinity College Dublin with my great friend and colleague Steve Spencer on our experiences over the last few decades <sigh>

This blog contains many of the links and subject information from this talk however here is a useful quick summary of some of the resources mentioned.

I think the summary I would like to pass on is, treat people well, don’ let them take advantage, provide good opportunities for training. One person what is the killer sign to watch out for, my answer “we will have to start from scratch”.

The guide to people and estimation came from  Rob Thomsett, “Double Dummy Spit, and Other Estimating Games,” American Programmer (now Cutter IT Journal), June 1996

The 13 symptoms of unhappiness came from Sam Guckenheimer Microsoft for reference here they are

13 Symptoms of Unhappiness

• It's the code, stupid!
• Actually it's the requirements!
• No, the problem is that you neglected the architecture!
• Architecture, schmarchitecture. I just want a working build.
• What good is that the way we mix up versions?!
• Not code versions, but the environments, don't you get it?
• Ever heard of security?!
• Yeah, but you ignored performance, duh!
• So what if it worked in the lab -- it's still unmanageable!
• Oh, and did we mention testing?
• Since you're not measuring it, you can't manage it anyway!
• With a process like that, what do you expect?
• It's our culture - you'll never change that.

The project success factors came from : The Standish Group International, The Standish Report, 2001

•Dynamics of Software Development

–Jim McCarthy (Microsoft Press 2006)

•The Pragmatic Programmer

–Hunt and Thomas (Addison Wesley)

•The Productive Programmer

–Neal Ford ( O’Reilly )

•Team anti-patterns

–http://ellnestam.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/software-development-team-anti-patterns/

b.

As many of you know I am a huge fan of StyleCop and so when Microsoft announced that StyleCop will soon have a  C# 4.0 version (StyleCop version 4.4) but that it will also become open source under the MS-PL license, by means of a CodePlex project, and all future development on StyleCop will be done from that CodePlex site. Microsoft will continue to manage the StyleCop project, and Microsoft will be responsible for creating and releasing official signed builds. However, they will also take code submissions from the community.

rayyyy

b.

Everybody knows I like a verification tool as I think they are a solid way to enable a solid basis for quality, the argument against is that they do not get every case and so the argument goes we should settle for 20% MK1 human eyeball standards. I am a firm believer in both and so I was made up when Microsoft released the BinScope Binary Analyzer which analyzes binaries to check that they are in compliance with Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) requirements and recommendations.

get it here

b.

Developer Express and Microsoft now are shipping a limited free copy version of CodeRush and Refactor! Pro. The free edition is available for C# developers using Visual Studio 2008.

A list of features :

• Find any File or Symbol...
• Tab to Next Reference
• Expand/Shrink Selection
• Intelligent Declaration Based on Usage
• Professional Grade Refactoring
• Editor Features
• Navigation Features

Get it Here

If you want to know more about the greatness of the free tools come along to one of our evening events where the near legendary Oliver Sturm will be presenting on Developer Productivity

b.

Phew what a name, well if you want consistent style across developers this is the tool for you. Previously known as StyleCop inside Microsoft. Microsoft Source Analysis is pretty much a mandatory addition to any team development toolkit.

In the same way the FxCop helps "focus" developers towards consistent better quality code , StyleCop does the same with code style. But also like FxCop , StyleCop will make a lot of developers gnash their teeth, while they get used to it.

b.

if you have listened to me talk about code quality and engaging with developers about the need to produce quality code from the get-go, you will not be surprised at the deep pleasure that a new release of FxCop brings to me. if you haven't had the pleasure of such a gripping conversation ( or rant as most people would call it ) and plan to talk to me at some point in the future , do your self and your company a favour download and use FxCop , improve your code quality and in the process make me smile.

b.