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Developing a PDMWorks Enterprise add-in in Microsoft VB.NET 

Learn how to develop and debug a PDMWorks Enterprise add-in using Microsoft VB.NET. This tutorial covers programming techniques, API usage, and deployment.

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Developing a PDMWorks Enterprise add-in in Microsoft VB.NET 

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  1. Developing a PDMWorks Enterprise add-in in Microsoft VB.NET  Jonathan FreesonSenior Consultant / Partner xLM Solutions, LLC

  2. Overview • Programming with the PDMWE API • Development and Debugging Techniques • Using the VB.NET Example Program in the API Help File found on the PDMWE CD (API_GB.CHM) Note: There are hidden slides and slide notes in the deck that go into more detail in some areas.

  3. API: Very Important Change in PDMWE 2008 • Visual Basic 6 is no longer supported. • VB6 applications upgrade to VB.NET Relatively Easily

  4. API: Requirements • Suggest Microsoft .NET 2.0 Development Environment • Documentation has screenshots showing Visual Studio/Visual Basic 2002 which is .NET 1.0. • 64 Bit Support introduced in .NET 2.0 • SQL 2005 uses .NET 2.0 • Visual Basic 2005 and 2008 can target .NET 2.0 • Visual Basic Express Edition can be used in a limited fashion

  5. Development : Getting Started – Creating The Project • Start Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 or 2008 • Create a new “Class Library”

  6. Development: Visual Basic 2008 Notes • Default target runtime is .NET 3.5 • .NET 2.0 is more common that 3.5 and is more likely to be installed on all clients. • Target should be changed to .NET 2.0

  7. Environment Setup – Adding References • 2007 and 2008 use the “EDMLIB” COM Library.

  8. Environment Setup – Adding References • Adding the COM reference creates an “COM Interop Assembly” called “Interop.EdmLib.DLL” • This DLL is a wrapper/bridge between .NET and COM • Very important: The Interop.EdmLib.DLL that is automatically created must be deployed with the Add In DLL.

  9. Environment Setup – Project Settings • In VB 2005 and 2008, mark Assembly as “COM-Visible.”

  10. Writing Code – Implementing Interface • The class that is called from PDMWE must implement the EdmLib.IEdmAddIn5 interface.

  11. Getting Started -- Interfaces • GetAddInInfo • Called by PDMWE to determine what the AddIn is capable of • Specifying which version of PDMWE is supported • Events to which it is subscribed • OnCmd • Called whenever a subscribed event occurs • Can abort/cancel certain operations

  12. The API • Uses a lot of Object Orientated Programming (OOP) structures. • Not easily visible to the development environment • Examples: • Multiple versions of same object exist. IEdmVault7 is compatible with IEdmVault6, IEdmVault5, etc. • An IEdmVault object can also be a IEdmVariableMgr5. • Well documented in the API_GB.CHM file found on the PDMWE CD. Good starting point.

  13. Developing And Debugging • Using example from API_GB.CHM

  14. Compiling And Deploying Test Version

  15. Debugging • Up to now, everything could be done with “Express Editions” of Visual Basic. • Debugging requires a full Visual Studio • PDMWE runs as part of Windows Explorer • Use Visual Studio to Debug the “explorer.exe” process • Usually requires explorer.exe to be killed so close important windows and save work • Tips: In windows, CTRL-SHIFT-ESCAPE brings up task manager • Can be used to start explorer.exe when it is killed and there is no task bar to right click on.

  16. Debugging – Attaching to running explorer.exe • Attach to running explorer.exe

  17. Debugging – Create new explorer.exe • Recommended: Kill existing explorer.exe then use debugger to start new one

  18. Debugging Demonstration • Attaching to existing explorer.exe via the “Debug -> Attach Process” command • Configuring Visual Studio Project to start explorer.exe for debugging • Must kill explorer.exe before starting

  19. Production Deployment • VERY Important to select ALL the .DLL files

  20. Questions?

  21. Contact Information • Jonathan Freeson – Managing Partner, xLM Solutionsjfreeson@xlmsolutions.com+1-517-579-9539 • Slide materials and the VB.NET project file can be found at: http://www.xlmsolutions.com/sww2008

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