Can you recommend an Application Framework for Windows Forms?

Question

Do you know some higher level Framework Library which sits on top of Windows Forms?

Tasks:

• Command Management
• Master/Detail Form Management
• Record Navigation
• Input Validation

etc.

Of course, I could do this all by myself but I don't want to reinvent the wheel.

(sorry for my broken english!)

Answer 1

While it's not especially strong in the particular areas you cite, CSLA is a good framework, and the associated book Expert C# 2008 Business Objects by Rockford Lhotka is a good book to help you think of app arch in general (even if I didnt end up using it or 100% agreeing with every stance taken, it was still worth the time).

Answer 2

You could take a look at the Smart Client Software Factory from Microsoft Patterns and practices; this provides quite a rich (but complex) framework for managing views within WinForms applications.

You may also want to look at one of the many third-party widows forms component vendors for some rich controls (Telerik, Infragistics etc).

CSLA is a good business object framework that supports winforms applications very well.

I currently work on a WinForms application built on the SCSF with CSLA; it's a steep learning curve but has produced a successful appllication wich the users like and is reasonably easy to maintain and enhance.

Answer 3

Have a look at DevExpress eXpressApp framework
I never had the chance to use it in production, but the demos and quick tests were very promising.

We used Enterprise Library (and own solution) for Validation and Data Access
An own solution for Master/Detail Form Management and Composite UI Application Block (CAB) for Command Management (kind of)

Answer 4

I think MX-Frame covers features you described.

www.mxframe.net

Answer 5

You can try Microsoft's Smart Client Software Factory. It's built on top of Composite UI Application Block mentioned above and has Command and Master/Detail Form Management. A simple tutorial is available here.