Others

Apart from the applications discussed in this chapter, you can find another set of applications that could probably be more focused toward the usage and/or technology that you are interested in at the .NET Architecture Sample Applications area of MSDN at http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnbda/html/bdadotnetsamp0.asp. Apart from these, you can download another set of sample applications and components from a .NET community site such as Got Dot Net (http://www.gotdotnet.com).

SHOP TALK : BEST PRACTICES AND PATTERNS: ARE THEY ALWAYS USEFUL?

Purist architects are die-hard believers in best practices and patterns, sometimes to such a degree that they risk becoming counterproductive. I would advise taking the recommendations suggested by patterns and solution blueprints with caution. It is very important to understand your level of expertise with the technology to make patterns useful. Also, you should typically be in complete conceptual agreement with the approaches and practices highlighted by the patterns before you start applying them to your own scenario. Applying a best practice just for the sake of it can easily make it counterproductive. On the other hand, if your scenario is pretty close to the suggested application scenarios highlighted in the blueprint application or patterns, it makes perfect sense to use it. Of course, blueprints and patterns can always be used as a tool for learning how to utilize a set of technologies in a coherent fashion.