23 March, 2015

Best practices in DotNetNuke Development

The DNN is an important tool that is used in software companies for designing, developing websites. However, there are certain best practices that are associated with the use of the software. These are as follows:-

Using DotNetNuke website application
In DotNetNuke development, the use of WAP or DNN website application project development model is preferred than the web site Projects or the WSP. This is primarily because WAP compiles to a single dll file for all type of codes. Also, using web site projects source control integration is grossly simplified.

Selection of an appropriate DNN version
dnn website development
It is hard to make a decision on DotNetNuke version support and packaging. While creating a DNN module, selecting the appropriate version is important. While deciding on packaging, set the minimum required version associated with the package. It helps the user to install modules on non-supported versions quite conveniently.

Avoiding changes to web config
To be a good DNN citizen you need to specify object qualifier values as well as custom database owners. Also, you need to avoid external qualification and changes in web config.

Reuse common DNN controls on requirement
Reusing common DotNetNuke controls should be resorted to if required. The built in controls are so developed such that they present the users with a familiar interface for developing and designing.

Follow patterns for certain DotNetNuke versions
The DotNetNuke 6.x version consists of a pattern that is required for user interface management. These patterns when followed help the users to create stylish user interfaces for various custom extensions. Though, using these patterns is a bit involved but once learning of the patterns is mastered then it automatically reduces the time to develop websites.

Avoid manipulating DotNetNuke database tables
It is always better to avoid manipulating DotNetNuke database tables and its data directly.

The DNN developers need to learn using certain namespaces to access the data of the DNN. Such practice helps in easy development of custom solutions. The namespaces include
  • DotNetNuke.Entities.Portals
  • DotNetNuke.Entities.Modules
  • DotNetNuke.Entities.Tabs
  • DotNetNuke.Security.Roles
  • DotNetNuke.Entities.Users
Use select data elements for data binding purposes
Appropriate data binding is essential for multi-module or multi-portal installations. Yet another best practice that is observed with DNN is data isolation. To figure out the DotNetNuke data element driving the data storage, it is very much recommended to use the developer’s common sense. In this context, the most common data elements that are used are as follows:-
  • ModuleId
  • TabModuleId
  • PortalId
Follow consistent Flow for the configuration
Yet another best practice that is adopted in this context is to use consistent flow for DNN module development and configuration. There are different ways of module configuration. Using standard settings control method is one among them. The standard settings option is recommended in this regard.

Stay careful while including third party dlls
It is important to be careful while including any third party dlls in the solution.

Implement only needed interfaces
It is always safe to implement needed DNN interfaces for the purpose of development. There are many modules available and not all are required to implement an interface. Interfaces are available and based on the functionality required for your module you need to implement the interfaces. The most common interfaces that are used in this regard are the following:-
  • The I Portable Interface
  • The I Searchable Interface
  • The I Actionable Interface
Include release notes with the package
Yet an important thing that you must adopt as a best practice is to incorporate release notes, license files with the package. It is required as it helps the user to view the highlights of what has been altered in the current version during the process of installation. These files need to be separately placed in the solution for a better user experience.

Clean up useless files
Also, it is very much essential to clean up the files that are not required. The manifest in this context has a cleanup object type that helps in removing un-needed files from the installation.

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