Reference manuals and a quick start guide are bundled in every release (see "Downloads" section).
Elements is a framework for prototyping and rapid development of enterprise applications.
Elements Framework modules:
- Data access and O/RM library (BizElements.Core) with support for the following databases: MS SQL Server, Oracle, MS SQL Server Compact, Firebird, SQLite, IBM DB2, PostgreSQL, MySQL.
- Template based code generator. Ships with approx. 40 templates.
- Generic business logic components and application blocks (BizElements.BusinessLayer).
- Aspects based on PostSharp technology (BizElements.BusinessLayer.Aspects).
- ASP.NET components and Web controls (BizElements.Web).
See
"Quick Start" presentation to learn how to build a functional application prototype within minutes.
Detailed reference manuals and sample projects are bundled in
MSI package.
Core features (BizElements.Core)Data access library:
- Select, insert, update and delete statement objects. No surprises in generated SQL.
- Supported databases: MS SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server Compact, Firebird, SQLite, and MySQL.
- Portable: write code once, change target DBMS in configuration file.
- Full-text search for supported databases (SQL Server, Oracle). Automatically switches to compatible LIKE predicates when targeting other databases.
- Stored procedure wrappers.
O/RM framework:
- Customizable O/RM framework built on top of data access library.
- Supports mixing of multiple patterns: DTOs, rich domain objects, active record.
- Generic entity DAOs features: CRUD, query by example, children management via 1-to-N and M-to-N relations, bulk inserts, hierarchical queries and updates, aggregate functions…
- Work with both entity objects and classic ADO.NET objects (DataTable, DataRow, DataSet) and transition between them seamlessly.
Business layer logic features (BizElements.BusinessLayer)Business logic interfaces and components:
- Interfaces promote rich domain model (business object, data transfer objects, actors/users, factories).
- Domain object interfaces support secure-by-default and multilingual concepts.
- Object descriptors and adapters. Used by UI binding engines and code generators (objects structure, permissions, additional metadata).
- Entity security provider – checks CRUD permissions and object ownership and assignment rules in hierarchical and/or team-based organizations. Supports single- and multi-tenant databases.
Application blocks:
- Search engine.
- Remoting - configure whether selected methods are remoted to a middle tier service or invoked directly in configuration file.
- Offline concurrency control schemes: optimistic and pessimistic.
- Journal/logging block.
- Caching based on MS Enterprise Library Caching Application Block.
- Multilingual text sources (database, RESX files).
- Utility classes.
Aspects:
- Aspect attributes based on PostSharp technology.
- Reduce boilerplate code when implementing the following aspects: transactions, remoting, logging, concurrency control and caching.
Web features (BizElements.Web)
- Binding engine.
- Web controls.
- Search engine UI.
- Entity UI engine (optional) – base form and user controls.