Is hard coding data access more accepted vs using the wizards? 3

[emaduddeen]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading some books on VB 2008 and also going through the videos provided by Microsoft and wanted to know if hard coding data access more accepted vs using the wizards?

I ask because it seems that using the wizards and doing the data binding to the items such as data grids, entry fields is quick and easy. All I have to do is drag from the Data Sources tab and everything is done for me.

Can you tell me the pros and cons for the 2 different ways to access my data?

If hard coding is the best way to go, could you also tell me the most accepted way to retrieve, edit, insert, and delete the data?

Truly,
Emad

 

[Foada]

This is a loaded question, but the best answer is that it depends on the application. If you search for "typed datasets" you will find all sorts of opinions. Here are a couple of links:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163477.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163751.aspx

I can tell you that Visual Studio is much better at "Wizards" than it used to be. In my experience though using the wizards is great for small applications and prototypes and I use them quite a bit. The problem comes with "tweaking" what the wizard creates for you. It has been my finding that by the time I get the wizard code to do what I want it to do, I could have just created all of my own business logic. Again it is all dependant on the complexity of your application. Sorry I could not say "do this" but that is the nature of the beast.

If you choose to battle wits with the witless be prepared to lose.

 

[Kliot]

Personally I like the wizards and for the most part the do a great job. Like you say simple drag and drop works. On the rare times I need "tweeking" I hard code.

 

[Sorwen]

I have to agree with Foada that by the time I'm done fixing what the wizard did to what I need it to do for me it is just much better to do it all myself.

-I hate Microsoft!
-Forever and always forward.
-My kingdom for a edit button!

 

[emaduddeen]

Thanks to everyone for responding.

Your opinions and links really helped.

Truly,
Emad