A Disappointment in the Enterprise Library
Last week, I posted about the availability of the new set of application blocks in the form of the Enterprise Library. While I am still very excited about these blocks, and am already working to incorporate them in 2 current projects, there was one major disappointment. When I opened the code for these application blocks, I was shocked to realize that the source code for the blocks was only available in C# ! The documentation and Quick Starts are in both C# and VB (and well done), but the blocks themselves are C# only. This is a step backwards from the previous version where at least most of the blocks had both C# and VB versions of the source code.
The issue is not one of being able to use the application blocks - we all know that if we want to use them as black boxes, it doesn't matter what .NET language was used to implement them. The issue is the affront and the message to VB developers. These blocks are meant to be modifiable and if the the code is only available in C#, then many VB developers won't be interested, or even able, to do that. Further more, another goal of the blocks is to be able to learn from them - to open them up, look at the code, and learn how to implement MS suggested best practices. Again, many VB developers won't be interested or able to do that. Finally, even for those of us who don't have a problem reading and writing C#, what is the message about C# and VB that this decision is sending ?!!