.NET StockTrader Sample Application

Announcements

• StockTrader 5.0 Download Available: Does Not Require Azure, But Fully Supports Azure

  Gregory LeakeMicrosoft EmployeeWednesday, June 15, 2011 12:28 PM

  The new StockTrader 5.0 sample is now available for download and setup.  This replaces the 4.0 release of StockTrader. The installer can be downloaded from https://azurestocktrader.cloudapp.net or http://msdn.microsoft.com/stocktrader. 

  This version does not require Windows Azure/SQL Azure or an Azure subscription.  Like 4.0, it will setup and work 100% on-premise, including on a standalone latop/PC with SQLExpress. However, I hope you take the time to explore this application on Windows Azure at the live link above, and deploy to your own Windows Azure subscription.  I have personally been "converted" to developing for the cloud based on migrating this application to Windows Azure.  While I like tinkering with my own hardware in my lab, the ability to "publish" this to fully provisioned Windows Server instances with full .NET 4.0 support, and quickly scale out, is great.  I have scaled all portions of the application to as many as 100 Azure instances.  It does take a few minutes; but I would not even be able to think about doing this in my lab on campus (machine cost? network setup/bandwidth? space? hardware, OS and DB software setup and management?). I also enjoy using SQL Azure just as if it was a local SQL Server.

  Windows Azure and SQL Azure Support

  This version fully supports Windows Azure and SQL Azure.  The second stage of the Setup Wizard allows you to optionally install to your Azure subscription and creates the required SQL Azure databases.  The Azure projects use the exact same shared libraries and projects as the on-premise deployment, save for being hosted in Azure Web Role and Worker Roler project types for the cloud.  The code base is the same, but separate VS Solutions for the Azure elements are provided so that Azure and the Azure SDK/VS Tools are not required to work with on-premise elements only. One key objective for the sample is to show the same code base working on-premise and on the Windows Azure Platform.

  The new documents are available as well at the AzureStockTrader site above, in the Docs menu.  These include a Guide to VS Solutions so you know which solutions (Web App, Business Services, Order Processor, etc) are where on disk.  And also the Configuration Guide that steps through re-configuring for remote modes, changing WCF security options, working with Oracle 11G, etc.

  Make sure to read the opening readme regarding system requirements.  Note during the on-premise setup stage, you can optionally point to an on-premise SQL Server including SQLExpress; OR you can point to a SQL Azure database.  If working soley with the on-premise deployment, you do not need to install the Azure SDK.  This version is designed for Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0.  You can download and install the working application without having Visual Studio; but for developing/customizing/exploring, then you need Visual Studio.  The sample is developed in C#.

  If you have setup issues, or questions about the sample once it is installed this is the place to post them.  Thank you!

   -Greg