CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#asp.netasp.net-mvcoop
Alex
Alex

Reputation: 47

How to structure a .Net projects? Common code, shared by different projects

I am using same constants in two different project in different visual studio solutions.

Project 1 is ASP.NET WEB API and
Project 2 is client web application.

Constants example:
1. BUYING_RATE
2. THRESHOLD_LIMIT
etc

My question is.

Should I create a new library project just for handling constants and share this dll in both projects? I want to avoid duplacate code in two different projects

Note 1: I cannot add both projects (API project and client project) in one solution due to some limitations so ignore this
Note 2: Both projects are managed by me

One more scenario is. ASP.NET WEB API will be consumed by 3rd parties as well. So should I provide the dll-s to them or API documentation is enough.

Or Am i thinking wrong about the design. If yes have a better solution, then what other options are to solve this problem

Thanks in advance

Upvotes: 1

Views: 714

Answers (1)

Zverev Evgeniy
Zverev Evgeniy

Reputation: 3719

  1. You can use a NuGet to share constants but I wouldn't. The main problem is that you will have to plan your constants beforehand or the NuGet publication will delay your progress.

  2. When using a shared library, consider using variables instead of constants. It often happens that you need to change a constant value and you do not want to issue a full rebuild. Constant values are compiled into the assemblies referencing them. Variables get evaluated at run-time.

  3. When making a shared library, consider providing a statically accessible instance container. It is often usable to provide different semi-constant value sets for different reader instances.

    //Constant-provider assembly code. Separate library that is.
public class MyConstants
{
    //Gets compiled into user code. Changing value -> rebuild all clients.
    //public const double BUYING_RATE = 0.5;

    //Gets evaluated in run-time. Changing value -> clients get new value.
    public readonly double BUYING_RATE = 0.5;

    private static MyConstants _default;
    static MyConstants()
    {
        _default = new MyConstants();
    }

    //Provide default instance. You can change it in run-time when needed.
    public static Default
    {
        get
        {
            return _default;
        }
    }
}

//Constant-user assembly code. Sample usage code for reader assemblier.
private class User
{
    public void Method1()
    {
        ... = MyConstants.Default.BUYING_RATE;
    }
}

Upvotes: 1

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