Code Generation
Why write repetitive code by hand when you can generate it automatically? Metalama is hands down the most powerful code generator for .NET with its unique C#-to-C# template technology.
Benefits
Here are four reasons why you must consider eliminating repetitive code with a code generation tool:
Boost development productivity. Using Metalama can reduce hand-written code by 10–50%, enabling developers to focus on meaningful tasks. Architects and senior developers act as productivity multipliers by minimizing repetitive and error-prone work for the rest of the team.
Reduce code complexity. Separating technical details from business logic results in cleaner, more readable code. New team members can contribute effectively without being overwhelmed by low-level technical details.
Improve reliability. Fewer lines of code mean fewer defects. Lower complexity also contributes. Additionally, Metalama simplifies the implementation of resilience features, further improving your app’s reliability.
Reduce maintenance costs. Metalama’s ultimate advantage lies in reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of the codebase. Since maintenance accounts for 55%–95% of a software system’s costs, keeping complexity low is crucial for post-release team productivity.
Features
Metalama is the only framework for .NET that offers:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| C#-to-C# Templates | Classic code generators are essentially text generators and don’t provide syntax highlighting, code completion, or error checking for generated code. Metalama is a true, strongly-typed object-oriented code generator featuring T#, a unique C#-to-C# template language. |
| Enhance Hand-Written Code | Metalama is the only on-the-fly tool that allows you to add behaviors to existing hand-written code. Other C# generators let you add new classes to a project or extend partial classes, but they don’t allow injecting new behaviors into existing methods, properties, or fields. |
| Reference Generated Code From Source Code | With Metalama, your source code can reference generated code as if it were itself source code. This is a significant advancement over previous MSIL-based generation, where code additions were not visible from source code. |
| Dependency Injection Support | You can use dependency injection concepts in your aspects to make both the aspects and the target code more testable. |
| Powerful Code Selection Mechanisms | Metalama offers several mechanisms to add aspects (which encapsulate code generation and validation) to target code: custom attributes for selective application, and fabrics for a bulk, programmatic approach. Also, explore cross-project options. |