Programming and tech tips

Serialising Exception Data to JSON in C# Introduction: In software development, handling exceptions is a crucial part of writing robust applications. When exceptions occur, developers often need to log and report them for debugging and monitoring purposes. One way to achieve this is by serialising exception data to JSON, allowing you to easily store and analyse error information. In this blog post, we will explore how to serialise exception data to JSON using the JsonSerializer.Serialize method in C#. We'll use a custom class, ExceptionData , to encapsulate exception information. Creating the ExceptionData Class: To get started, we need to create a custom class called ExceptionData . This class will capture various properties of an exception, such as message, source, stack trace, type name, and optionally inner exceptions. Here's the ExceptionData class: public class ExceptionData { public ExceptionData(Exception exception, bool includeInnerException = tru...

Introduction: In C#, it's common to need to find the first occurrence of a weekday in a particular month. Whether you're working with date calculations, scheduling, or any other scenario, knowing how to find the first weekday efficiently can be quite useful. In this blog post, we'll explore three different methods to achieve this task, each with its own implementation approach and considerations. 1. Using a Loop: When you need a straightforward solution, iterating through the days of the month until you find the first occurrence of the desired weekday can be effective. Here's how you can implement it: public static DateTime FindFirstWeekdayOfMonth(int year, int month, DayOfWeek weekday) { DateTime date = new DateTime(year, month, 1); while (date.DayOfWeek != weekday) { date = date.AddDays(1); } return date; } 2. Using LINQ: For a more concise solution, you can leverage LINQ to generate a sequence o...

In today's fast-paced digital world, every second counts. Whether you're a professional multitasker or a casual computer user, knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity on Windows. These nifty shortcuts streamline tasks and reduce the need to rely solely on your mouse, allowing you to navigate your computer with finesse. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of the essential Windows keyboard shortcuts that can elevate your computing experience. 1. **Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V** – The Copy and Paste Duo    These timeless shortcuts, Ctrl + C (Copy) and Ctrl + V (Paste), are fundamental for transferring text and files. No more right-clicking or hunting for the toolbar – just highlight the content, press Ctrl + C, move to your desired location, and press Ctrl + V to paste. 2. **Windows Key + D** – Show Desktop    Instantly minimize all open windows and reveal your desktop with a simple press of the Windows key + D. Press it a...

Decoding JSON Strings in C# using System.Text.Json Decoding JSON Strings in C# using System.Text.Json In modern software development, exchanging data in the JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format has become a standard practice due to its simplicity and ease of use. In C#, you can effectively handle JSON data using the built-in System.Text.Json namespace. This blog post will guide you through the process of decoding a JSON string step by step. Prerequisites Before we dive into the coding process, ensure you have a basic understanding of C# programming and Visual Studio (or any other preferred C# IDE). Step 1: Setting Up the Environment To get started, launch your C# development environment and create a new Console Application project. Step 2: Importing the Required Namespace In your C# code, include the necessary namespace for working with JSON data: using System.Text.Json; Step 3: Defining the JSON String Let's say we have the following JSON string that we want to decode: { ...

RestSharp is a popular and powerful library in the C# ecosystem that simplifies the process of making HTTP requests and handling responses. It provides a clean and intuitive API for interacting with RESTful APIs, making it an ideal choice for developers working on projects that require seamless integration with web services. What is RestSharp? RestSharp is a simple and lightweight library that allows developers to communicate with RESTful web services easily. It abstracts away the complexities of HTTP communication and provides a straightforward API for sending requests, handling responses, and working with JSON data. Getting Started with RestSharp To begin using RestSharp in your C# projects, you first need to install the RestSharp NuGet package. You can do this via the NuGet Package Manager Console with the following command: Install-Package RestSharp Example: Making a RESTful API Call Let's walk through a simple example of making a GET...

Best Practices for Implementing Caching in C# Caching is an essential technique in software development that helps improve performance and reduce the load on resources by storing frequently accessed data in memory. In C#, implementing caching correctly can significantly enhance the efficiency of your applications. In this article, we'll explore some best practices for implementing caching in C#. 1. Identify Cacheable Data Not all data is suitable for caching. It's crucial to identify data that is frequently accessed or relatively static. Examples include configuration settings, database query results, and computed values. 2. Choose the Right Cache Provider C# offers various caching mechanisms, such as MemoryCache , Redis , and third-party libraries like Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory and StackExchange.Redis . Choose the cache provider that aligns with your application's requirements and scalability needs. 3. Implement a Cache Strategy Define a clear ...

So I screwed up... Yes, as hard as that is for me to say. I royally screwed up (with some help from a colleague). When setting up a new live deployment of your product.  ALWAYS SET UP BACKUPS FOR YOUR DB's . Yes, it seems stupid that I should even say this, but for the first time during my 8 year career, I forgot to set up backups. The product went live a bout a week before  and a colleague accidentally restored our blank database backup over the production database... Lots of data loss! NOW WHAT? WHERE DO I START HOW DO I TELL THE CLIENT CAN WE RECOVER? I decided to Google  How to roll back a database restore . You have to try right. No luck. I got served up countless posts about people in the same situation, all being told: "Restore your latest full backup and then restore the balance from your transaction log backup." Great... And then a few unlucky souls that ended up in the same situation with no options. Oops. So after this, I had to call the client and explain what...