NetAdvantage® and the Microsoft® Composite UI Application Block
Beginning with the release of Visual Studio® 2005, the Microsoft Patterns and Practices Team has delivered a new framework for developing desktop-based, smart client applications built from .NET controls called the Composite User Interface Application Block (CAB).
The CAB is composed of a standardized architecture and component communication services which simplify the construction of smart clients. It is a framework which allows UI controls to be cleanly composed into application-specific workspaces and smart parts. The CAB also includes services that simplify workspaces and smart part communication. The power of the CAB lies within its ability to simplify UI component composition, decouple UI layer communication, and facilitate smart part reuse.
While Visual Studio 2005/2008 and the CAB provide a powerful set of frameworks for smart client application development, these two tools alone do not provide all that is needed to efficiently develop the kinds of visually appealing and productive applications that business users are demanding today. What is missing is a complete set of enterprise-class visual user interface tools which seamlessly interoperate with the CAB framework.
The NetAdvantage CAB Extensibility Kit
The NetAdvantage CAB Extensibility KitTM (NCEK) is provided as part of the NetAdvantage for Windows Forms controls included with NetAdvantage for Windows Client, NetAdvantage Select, or NetAdvantage for .NET subscription. It extends our .NET controls and components for Windows Forms so that they provide seamless interoperation with the CAB. It enables development teams to easily compose highly effective, customizable user interfaces with a complete set of enterprise-class frameworks and tools.
NetAdvantage for Windows Forms controls with the CAB and Visual Studio 2005/2008 provide:
- Enterprise-Class UI - NetAdvantage provides the complete UI toolset necessary for enterprise-class smart client development,including enterprise-class grid, multi-column tree, navigation bars, and charting controls.
- Rich UI Styling - NetAdvantage provides fine-grained styling via predefined look and feels, presets, and appearance settings.
- Seamless Interoperation - Easily build sophisticated smart client applications with NetAdvantage, the CAB framework and Visual Studio 2005/2008.
NetAdvantage CAB Extensibility Kit Resources
- UIElementManagers for NetAdvantage - Easily manage NetAdvantage-based UIElements within the CAB framework.
- CAB Workspaces for NetAdvantage - Many of the NetAdvantage UI patterns are provided, including Docking, Explorer Bar, Task Pane, Toolbars, MDI Tab, and Tab.
As part of the resources for NCEK we have created a comprehensive reference application, several starter kits and a whitepaper on implementing NetAdvantage for Windows Forms controls into your CAB applications using NCEK.
Client Services Desktop (CSD) Reference Application
NCEK Starter Kits
NCEK How To Articles