October 2014

Volume 29 Number 10

C# - The New and Improved C# 6.0

C# - The New and Improved C# 6.0

Mark Michaelis

The new C# 6.0 is now in CTP3. There have been myriad enhancements and improvements, as well as some features that have dropped. Here’s a full rundown on what to expect and what to look for in the new language.

Cutting Edge - Source Code Readability TipsColumn

Cutting Edge - Source Code Readability Tips

Dino Esposito

Readability must be an essential attribute of your coding practices. Follow the three C’s—comments, consistency and clarity—to create code that’s easier to read.

Async Programming - Introduction to Async/Await on ASP.NET

Async Programming - Introduction to Async/Await on ASP.NET

Stephen Cleary

Stephen Cleary provides a conceptual overview of asynchronous requests on ASP.NET, as well as references to the best online resources.

Data Points - A Pattern for Sharing Data Across Domain-Driven Design Bounded ContextsColumn

Data Points - A Pattern for Sharing Data Across Domain-Driven Design Bounded Contexts

Julie Lerman

Julie Lerman explores a way to mirror data as one scenario for sharing data across DDD bounded contexts.

Azure Insider - Connect Your IoT Device to the Cloud

Azure Insider - Connect Your IoT Device to the Cloud

Bruno Terkaly

In this next installment of the Internet of Things (IoT) project, we take the connected SmartDoor and Raspberry Pi, and develop policies to manage the message and photo traffic with service bus and message bus queueing.

Test Run - Probit Classification Using C#Column

Test Run - Probit Classification Using C#

James McCaffrey

James McCaffrey explores probit classification, a machine learning technique for making predictions in situations where the dependent variable to predict can take one of just two possible values.

Unity - Developing Your First Game with Unity and C#, Part 3

Unity - Developing Your First Game with Unity and C#, Part 3

Adam Tuliper

In the third part of his series on Unity game development, Adam Tuliper delves into 3D games, including creating characters, animations and terrains.

Modern Apps - Use SignalR to Build Modern AppsColumn

Modern Apps - Use SignalR to Build Modern Apps

Rachel Appel

SignalR is a set of server and client libraries that lets you develop apps with dynamic, real-time, two-way communication.

SQL Server - Use Updatable Tables for Responsive Real-Time Reporting

SQL Server - Use Updatable Tables for Responsive Real-Time Reporting

Don Mackenzie

Managing massive data stores in a single table can slow down queries and, therefore, business activities. Using a combination of partitioning and columnstore indexes solves the problem.

SQL Server - Implement Large, Fast, Updatable Tables for Responsive Real-Time ReportingOnline only

SQL Server - Implement Large, Fast, Updatable Tables for Responsive Real-Time Reporting

Don Mackenzie

This article builds on the October MSDN Magazine print article, “Use Updatable Tables for Responsive Real-Time Reporting,” that describes a combination of table partitioning and columnstore indexing to support a large table you can query rapidly for reporting and update concurrently.

Universal Windows Apps - Reuse Code Assets with Universal Windows Apps

Universal Windows Apps - Reuse Code Assets with Universal Windows Apps

Joel Reyes

Joel Reyes explores the universal app capabilities built into Visual Studio 2013, including templates, language, API and compiler support, and considers strategies for sharing code across apps, as well as best approaches for updating disparate apps into a universal Windows version.

DirectX Factor - Pixel Shaders and the Reflection of LightColumn

DirectX Factor - Pixel Shaders and the Reflection of Light

Charles Petzold

Charles Petzold brings his series on DirectX to a close with an exploration of the classic Gouraud and Phong 3D light shading models.

Don't Get Me Started - Raising Higher EducationColumn

Don't Get Me Started - Raising Higher Education

David Platt

David Platt's Harvard University Extension School class on UX engineering and management aims to create a cadre of UX first responders, who leverage awareness of basic concepts in UX design to enable a more robust and functional design process.

Editor's Note - Arrivals and DeparturesColumn

Editor's Note - Arrivals and Departures

Michael Desmond

Charles Petzold is stepping down as a columnist at MSDN Magazine to work at Xamarin.