PostSharp AOP Framework Updated

Posted by Al Tenhundfeld on Mar 16, 2009

Sections

Development,

Architecture & Design

Topics

.NET ,

AOP

PostSharp, the popular Aspect Oriented Programming framework for .NET, has a new release: Version 1.5 CTP 3. This release includes the bug fixes of 1.0 SP1, improves upon some design issues in 1.5 CTP 2, and most important, has dramatic performance enhancements. PostSharp 1.5 CTP 3 is now twice as fast as PostSharp 1.0, according to release notes. 1.5 CTP 3 is available for download on the PostSharp site.

Unlike Inversion of Control containers that provide AOP functionality through design-time specification of method invocation interceptors, PostSharp integrates through the application of attributes. PostSharp inserts itself in the build process and post-processes the compiled assembly. Since PostSharp works at MSIL level, it supports virtually all static languages targeting the .NET Framework.

Improving on version 1.0, version 1.5 contains the following improvements:

• Reading assemblies without loading them in the CLR

In version 1.0, PostSharp required assemblies to be loaded in the CLR (i.e. in the application domain) to be able to read them. When PostSharp processes a Silverlight or a Compact Framework assembly, it is never loaded by the CLR.

• Lazy loading of assemblies

When PostSharp has to load a dependency assembly, it now reads only the metadata objects it really needs, resulting in a "huge performance improvement and much lower memory consumption.

• Performance optimizations

The code has been carefully profiled and optimized for maximal performance.

• Support for Novell Mono

PostSharp is now truly cross-platform. Binaries compiled on the Microsoft platform can be executed under Novell Mono. Both Windows and Linux are tested and supported. A NAnt task makes it easier to use PostSharp in these environments.

• Support for Silverlight 2.0 and the Compact Framework

You can add aspects to your projects targeting Silverlight 2.0 or the Compact Framework 2.0.

• Pluggable Aspect Serializer & Partial Trust

Previously, all aspects were serializer using the standard .NET binary formatter. It is now possible to choose another serializer or implement your own, and enhance assemblies that be executed with partial trust.

CTP 3 is expected to be the final 1.5 CTP, with the first Release Candidate expected within 1-2 months, depending on bug reports.

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