Joche Ojeda
The Dark Arts of Self-Writing Code: A Journey from DOS to .NET Sorcery
In “The Dark Arts of Self-Writing Code: A Journey from DOS to .NET Sorcery,” the author recounts an inspiring journey from childhood fascination with MS-DOS commands to mastering metaprogramming in .NET. The narrative begins with humble experiments in AUTOEXEC.BAT scripts and evolves through explorations of languages like Turbo Pascal, C++, and C#. The author shares transformative moments, such as learning reflection—a form of “code magic” that enables runtime introspection and modification. Along the way, practical lessons are imparted: cache operations, guard sensitive data, and balance performance costs. Ultimately, the tale emphasizes the power of curiosity and continuous learning in programming mastery.
The Dark Magic of .NET: Exploring Harmony Library in 2025
Explore the dark magic of .NET with Harmony, a powerful library that transforms runtime method patching in C# applications. At Xari, where we tackle everything from LOB applications to AI systems, Harmony has become an invaluable tool in our development arsenal. This sophisticated library offers three powerful approaches to code modification: Prefix patches for pre-execution intervention, Postfix patches for result manipulation, and Transpilers for direct IL code modification. While it might seem like dark magic, Harmony is really about understanding and leveraging .NET’s architecture to achieve what seems impossible, from performance monitoring to legacy system enhancement.
The AnyCPU Illusion: Native Dependencies in .NET Applications
This article explores the limitations of the AnyCPU configuration in .NET applications, particularly when dealing with native dependencies. The author shares a personal story about a realization during a trip, highlighting the challenges of running x64 applications on ARM-based systems like Apple Silicon. The narrative transitions into technical insights about native DLL loading requirements and architecture-specific considerations. It emphasizes the importance of native driver compatibility for ORMs like Entity Framework Core and DevExpress XPO. Solutions such as architecture-specific deployments and managed fallbacks are proposed, making it clear that AnyCPU is not a universal solution for cross-platform development.
Exploring .NET 9’s Sequential GUIDs: A Game-Changer for XAF/XPO Developers
Exploring .NET 9’s latest features reveals an exciting addition for XAF/XPO developers: Version 7 GUIDs (RFC 9562 specification). This new implementation solves a common challenge with traditional GUIDs – their non-sequential nature. Through practical experience with the SyncFramework, where Delta processing order proved problematic due to unpredictable GUID sorting, the need for sortable identifiers became evident. .NET 9’s CreateVersion7() method now generates sequential GUIDs, eliminating the need for custom sequence services. This feature significantly simplifies scenarios requiring reliable ordering, making it a valuable tool for developers working with distributed systems and synchronization frameworks.
Understanding XtraReports: A Windows Forms Developer’s Guide
ransitioning from Windows Forms to XtraReports can be a seamless journey for .NET developers. Leveraging familiar concepts like control containers, event handling, and data binding, XtraReports reimagines Windows Forms for robust reporting needs. My journey began in the early 2000s, evolving from VB6 with Crystal Reports to adopting DevExpress tools. This article explores the architectural parallels, design experience, and best practices to master XtraReports, guiding developers to efficiently design paper-oriented layouts with features like bands, expression bindings, and calculated fields. Discover how your existing expertise can accelerate understanding and productivity in creating professional reports.
Guide to Blazor Component Design and Implementation for backend devs
Blazor offers a modern, versatile approach to UI development for .NET developers, bridging the gap between web and desktop applications. As a seasoned .NET developer, I’ve explored platforms like Windows Forms, WPF, Xamarin, and MAUI, but Blazor stands out for its flexibility and broad applicability. From backend-focused frameworks like XAF to crafting custom NuGet libraries, my journey highlights the evolution of .NET development and the growing need for robust, reusable UI components. This guide shares key insights and practical lessons learned while building Blazor components, helping backend developers embrace frontend challenges with effective design patterns and streamlined implementation strategies.