Opinions about persistence, object-relational mapping, data-access layer generation tools
Here I aggregate opinions on persistence, object-relational mapping, data-access layer generation tools.
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Let me put it this way. If the instructions for using a condom were as complicated as the ones for using OlyMars, AIDS would have killed us all by now.
Totally agree here...I've tried to use the thing...I still don't get it. Somebody clue me in here.
Lots of negative talk regarding OlyMars lately. I will admit that I don't have the time to figure out how to use it (gave it a try a few times, but just wasn't my style). However, it is still a very cool tool, it just has a crappy interface on top of it, but it isn't meant to be production code anyway now is it? My understanding is that it is just a research project...and when is the last time you saw a research project with warm fuzzy documentation and a sexy UI?
It's not just the interface. The templates have a very steep learning curve as well.
OlyMars is not only an object/relational mapping layer, nor a DAL generator. OlyMars is a generic (multi-purposes) code generator, which can provide services for generating a DAL, database aware controls, or whatever you want if you write your own templates. Hence the complicated instructions for use.
LLBLGen is really that simple: choose your database, select the tables/views you want, and click generate. It will create the TSQL for all the sprocs, and the DAL classes.
I have been using EntityBroker on a recent project and it is extremely easy to use. I highly recommend it. It is just about to be RC1. I prefer a fully object mapper like EntityBroker over a DAL generator any day. Still not in a final release, but the docs are pretty good and whole package works great (plus, you get out of the box support for multiple RDMBS's like Oracle, MS Sql, etc.).