DevExpress .NET — Automatic Upgrade of .NET and External Dependency Versions, Converting Assembly to Package References and More (v24.2)
October 15, 2024 - Based on research, a more effective/automated .NET framework and 3rd party dependency upgrade process is high on the priority list for our customers (without appropriate automation, major version upgrades require many hours of manual/tedious work).
The most time-consuming upgrade problem involves correctly matching non-vulnerable 3rd-party dependencies (such as Entity Framework Core or System.Text.Json). This a multi-faceted issue and involves matters such as...
- Each external dependency must be compatible with both the target .NET and DevExpress product version. For example, if using Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer v7.0.3, you also need a matching System.Drawing.Common v7.0.0 package for .NET 6 or 7.
- Upgrading to .NET 8 also means upgrading Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.SqlServer to v8.0.6 and System.Drawing.Common to v8.0.0 (and so on for dozens of other transitive packages). Yes, the "version" puzzle is not easy to solve and requires a lot of time-consuming/manual effort.
- Unfortunately, NuGet's built-in Package Manager (with its Update command) or the .NET Upgrade Assistant (at least at this stage) do not help much when dozens of inter-dependent projects and hundreds of external dependencies require updates.
Based on these realities, we have taken steps to address the upgrade/update process in our v24.2 release cycle.
To simplify the migration/upgrade process, the DevExpress Project Converter will attempt to automate two very time-consuming project-related modifications. These automations should save hours of manual effort especially for teams with large .NET Framework or .NET solutions. Non-DevExpress projects (without DevExpress packages) will NOT be touched. Developers who prefer manual updates will NOT be affected.
Our converter automatically updates TargetFrameworkVersion, TargetFramework, and TargetFrameworks settings (from .NET Framework 4.5.2 / .NET 6 and earlier) in csproj/vbproj and *.config files. Uncheck the Update Target Framework option if you want to update the target framework in your DevExpress projects manually.
Our converter a utomatically updates 3rd-party NuGet packages for projects with DevExpress dependencies based on the latest version compatible with the target framework (f or example, System.Text.Json, Microsoft.AspNetCore.*, Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.*, etc. - approximately 200 known dependencies in our Directory.Packages.props file at "c:\Program Files\DevExpress 24.2\Components\Sources\Win\Directory.Packages.props"). Again, N on-DevExpress projects (without DevExpress packages) will NOT be touched. Uncheck the Update 3rd-party Dependencies option if you want to update DevExpress projects manually.
To test our updated Project Converter today, please use the attached ZIP archive . NOTE: This DevExpress Project Converter is from a recent nightly build and is NOT the same tool available in our EAP v24.2.1 build. Your DevExpress packages will use a custom version (like v24.2.1.24281 or similar) after running the tool as well.
If you installed EAP v24.2.1 via the DevExpress Download Manager , replace 24.2.1.24281 with v24.2.1.X. To update, either run the old v24.2.1.X Project Converter again (recommended) or update the project and configuration files manually.
DevExpress solutions are available in Romania through Simple IT, DevExpress Partner in Romania.
About Simple IT
SIMPLE IT is a distributor for software solutions and hardware appliances, adding value with consulting, training, implementation, configuration and support services, backed by certified specialists, in order to offer the best IT experience to customers and partners. For more information, please visit www.simpleit.com.ro.