Getting Started - ASP.NET Dynamic Data - page 35

FIGURE 1.22 Web pages produced by the Insert and Details page templates.

Summary
Dynamic Data is an extension of the ASP.NET WebForms framework that consists of three
major building blocks: metadata, templates, and controls.

The metadata API relies on a LINQ-based data access framework, such as Entity Framework
or LINQ to SQL, and provides a common programming interface focused on the business
and presentation logic. When the information offered by the underlying data access
framework is insufficient, the metadata API relies on Data Annotations, the .NET attributes
defined in the System . ComponentModel.DataAnnotations namespace, to provide informa-
tion about display names of columns and tables, order, and visibility of the individual
columns and more.

The Dynamic Data templates implement individual user interface fragments of the web
application. Field templates are ASP.NET user controls that encapsulate user interface
necessary for a single field value. Entity templates are ASP.NET user controls that rely on
multiple field templates to implement user interface for an entire database record in a
form layout. Filter templates are ASP.NET user controls that implement logic required to
enter search criteria and generate a LINQ query based on a single column. Page templates
are ASP.NET pages that use entity templates and implement the supporting logic for navi-
gation and CRUD operations. Dynamic Data projects provide a number of different
templates out of the box and enable developers to create new templates to fit their specific
project needs.