http://ayende.comAyende @ RahienCopyright (C) Ayende Rahien 2004 - 2021 (c) 202660I usually always build the UI first, then I attack the database, then I connect everything up to work. The UI sometimes for me when I'm going solo on a really small project helps me flesh out the data pieces (sort of a design as you go methodology). In either case, the UI IMHO is probably the most important piece to it all. If two applications do the exact same thing, the prettier one will sell more often. http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment8http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment8Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:35:27 GMTLol. Just read my last comment, think I need to learn to check my posts! @Ayende. Have just checked out the latest ETL solution from svn. Are there any bits I should stay away from or is most of it up and running? Cheers, T http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment7http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment7Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:45:25 GMTI'd agree, leaning on someone elses work will set you up bettter in the long run. With SqlBuddy (http://sqlbuddy.sourceforge.net), I took the "build it all myself" approach. That was fun, but didn't help the project long term. I did have discuss an integration project with the SharpDevelop team, but I never got time in the end. An important decision to make up front. All that said, what Ayende has now looks sweet in the screen shot above. The simplicity makes it particularly attractive. http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment6http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment6Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:21:21 GMTDo yourself a favour and leverage an existing application shell. I know the VS add-in API is horrible but in the end it'll give you better exposure and save you mountains of work. Unless you really feel like implementing a whole raft of basic UI views for files, execution output, debugging, etc... Ugh. Don't underestimate the cost of building a UI _other people_ will want to use! http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment5http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment5Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:12:30 GMTHe said he want's something beautiful. That means the Visual Studio API is out of the question - it's possibly the ugliest API you will ever meet. I'd personally go with adding support to SharpDevelop rather than yet another IDE. Their API looks much better. [)amien http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment4http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment4Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:44:25 GMTMax, There is a tremendous amount of cost that is associated with building a VS plugin. http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment3http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment3Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:15:02 GMTWhy not build this as a VS addin? Then you get a whole bunch of functionality for free, and great integration with other project types. http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment2http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment2Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:57:37 GMTI know it costs a lot, but if you're serious about this, SyncFusion has a text box editor control that gives you almost VS level of control, and is extensible. http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment1http://ayende.com/2714/we-want-to-build-something-beautiful#comment1Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:15:40 GMT