“CSMetal” - Code generating/Linq provider sample now available

“CSMetal” is a command line tool that reads Commerce Server 2009 metadata and generates a set of strongly-typed classes to use with the Commerce Foundation API and a set of Linq providers to allow access to Commerce Server entities via Linq. It can dramatically simplify basic access to Commerce Server 2009 functionality by enabling simple Linq-syntax queries against most Commerce Server entities.

Sample unit tests are included that demonstrate the various access methods including a full checkout scenario. Also provided are a couple of sample applications, including a rewritten version of the "Orders" sample that comes with Commerce Server, which demonstrates the savings in overall code of using the Linq based queries and even a sample ASP.NET MVC 3 (Razor) application.

All source code is provided for the code generator and it may be modified to fit your needs.

“CSMetal” is now available at MSDN Code Gallery: https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/csmetal  

It’s important to note the following about “CSMetal”:

  - This tool was created by Kerry Havas, Product Architect of the Microsoft Commerce Server Product Unit

  - It is not an official Microsoft release and is not supported by Microsoft Product Support
- Please use the discussion lists on MSDN Code Gallery to ask questions and provide feedback

Commerce Server Product Unit
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond WA