I want to create a package that builds classes based on the structure of a database. The Data Access Package used in the Web Service Software Factory does this. I would like to use the Data Access Package in my package but change the template it uses to generate classes. What is the best way to go about this? Do I reference it in my package or do I have to copy it and change it?

I can see two options here:

1) If you want to reuse most of Data Access package you can just "clone" it, you copy all its sources and you make sure you give the new package a different GUID and Name in the manifest file so it doesn't clash with the original one. Then you start modifying the little bits you want to make different.

2) If you want to reuse just a few parts of it, you would create a new blank guidance package and re-use the actions (where the code really is) found in the Data Access package, this re-use could be by just copy and pasting source code or you could deploy (check license) the Data Access DLL and just reference its action types from your config file. You could also copy & paste snippets like a Wizard if you want them too.

Does this helps?

-Victor.

I can see two options here:

1) If you want to reuse most of Data Access package you can just "clone" it, you copy all its sources and you make sure you give the new package a different GUID and Name in the manifest file so it doesn't clash with the original one. Then you start modifying the little bits you want to make different.

2) If you want to reuse just a few parts of it, you would create a new blank guidance package and re-use the actions (where the code really is) found in the Data Access package, this re-use could be by just copy and pasting source code or you could deploy (check license) the Data Access DLL and just reference its action types from your config file. You could also copy & paste snippets like a Wizard if you want them too.

Does this helps?

-Victor.

1) I tried this. I changed the guid, project name, manifest name, built it, registered it but it does not show up under Guidance Packages in the New Project window.

2) There are a lot of parts to it (custom pages, templates, recipes, etc.) and I am trying to figure it out but I do not know how quickly I could get the parts I needed into a new package and all the dependencies.

I would like to use the package it is a good one. But I want to make some changes. I would not mind automating the sql script for creating SP's without the dialogs (table selection, sp's to create selection). I would also like to create the DAL and business entities automatically (including entity SP mapper) as partial classes and put them in a sub folder for generated code.