Tools

Some tools I use:

Dev Tools:

CodeRush - If you haven't tried this then you should $249 (when I last checked) for mere mortals, this wonderful tool is also available for FREE if you're an MVP and although not widely known, it includes RefactorPro in the price.

RefactorPro - By far the easiest way to refactor your code. Simple interface, quick to operate. A joy to use. $99 if you don't want CodeRush (you mad fool you :P)

DXCore Community Plugins (GoogleCode Binaries) Some open source plugins for DXCore/Refactor/CodeRush which myself and some other community members have been playing about with.

Reflector - For anyone who's curious how stuff works under the hood

Expresso - To say this is a WYSIWYG Regular expression tool does it a great disservice.

SketchPath - As above but for XPath expressions

MyGeneration - Free Code Generation Tool.

 

Other Tools:

Windows Live Writer - I'm writing this post using this wonderful tool. So easy.

OmeaPro - My nntp/ rss reader of choice.

Twhirl - My Twitter Client of choice. Follow me at twitter.com/RoryBecker

AutoHotKey - Windows automation on steroids.

NiftyWindows - AutoHotKey derivative program with many gestures and hotkeys prearranged.

Unlocker - Don't you just hate it when the file you need to delete/move/alter is locked

Plugin Development under Vista 64-bit

There are a minor issue affecting the development of plugins under 64-bit vista.

The basic issue is that your installation of Visual studio (assuming that you go for the defaults) will be under "C:\Program Files (x86)\" and defaults in a plugin project (and indeed other types of project) will point to a directory under "C:\Program Files\".

Now CodeRush /Refactor/DXCore will all install (by default) also under "C:\Program Files (x86)\" and it seems very hard to convince the OS to allow anything else.

All this means that you will compile and build plugins to a directory ( C:\Program Files\..etc..") which the DXCore is not looking in.

The simplest way I have found to solve this is to use a program like Junction Link Magic to create a "Junction Point" between a new Empty folder created at "C:\Program Files\Developer Express Inc\" and the real folder at "C:\Program Files (x86)\Developer Express Inc\".

A "Junction Point" is a "Magic Portal" between the empty folder and the specified destination. The effect of which, is to fool the FileSystem, and hence every program that makes use of it, into seeing all the files in both locations.

It should be noted that there is only one set of files, they are just visible in 2 places. If you delete anything it will vanish from both locations

So once this is done you can happily compile Dlls to one location and run them through DXCore from the other.