Steps for Creating an Application Based on an Existing Sample

Here are some suggested steps for creating an application from an existing ATF application. The rest of this section follows some of these steps in developing the new application.

1. Pick the sample that most closely matches your new application's features. Look at the sample descriptions at ATF Code Samples and the Technology Sample Matrix to help you pick the most suitable sample.
2. Copy the sample project and the Samples.sln file. Open the solution and eliminate the projects you don't need. Make any other changes you need, such as fixing up references to the \Framework projects.
3. Determine which components you want to use. Add or remove components to or from the MEF TypeCatalog in Program.cs. For information on MEF, see MEF with ATF.
4. Remove code you don't need by removing files from the solution or code in files. You can also do this later.
5. Add code from other samples that you want for your application. You can also do this later.
6. If you are going to use a DOM for your application data, edit the schema file, if there is one. Consider what types of data your application needs and change the schema to incorporate these types. For DOM information, see DOM in a Nutshell and the ATF Programmer's Guide: Document Object Model (DOM) downloadable from ATF Documentation.
7. Build the application, making needed changes until it builds.
8. Try to run the application, fixing problems until it runs.
9. Add code from other samples. Remove code you don't need.
10. Repeat steps 7 to 9 until the application builds and runs again.
11. Test whatever features the application currently has and get these working.
12. Add the application's unique features, using the appropriate ATF classes and components, starting with the most important features. For a guide on where to look for which ATF classes and components to use, see ATF Structure and ATF Functional Areas in particular.
13. The best way to add some features may entail creating components of your own. Look at the samples' examples of components, such as those described in ATF Samples Components. You may want to copy some of these components and adapt them to your application. Connect other code into your new component, as needed.
14. Make the added features work.
15. Continue development and debugging in steps 12 to 14 until all the application's features work.