Empty Toolbox for DSL Tools Diagram in experimental hive

Question

I created a DSL in Beta1 and migrated it using the DSL Tools Migration Tool. So my DSL is running in beta2. But I do have a problem when debugging the DSL in the experimental hive. There the toolbox is empty. When activating "Show all" in the toolbox context menu, I can see several tabs "(Cannot load resource '@MyToolboxTab;MyDsl.dll'.)" and similar ones for the uml diagrams from the architecture diagrams. When installing my DSL via the vsix in the default hive, everything shows up perfect.

Does anyboy has an idea, what I can do to fix that issue? I already tried to run devenv with option /setup, I have reset the toolbox but nothing worked out. I always get the same "message" on the toolbox tabs.

Thanks,
Matthias

Answer 1

Hi Matthias,

Unfortunately this issue was detected a bit late and it will be fixed in RC.
As a workaround, you can rebuild your DSL (or just delete the toolbox cache in exp hive) and then run the exp hive using CTRL+F5 instead of F5. When the solution will be opened you can attach a debugger and debug from that point.

Let me know if the workaround helped you to overcome the problem.

Eyal

Answer 2

Hi Eyal,

this workaround works perfect. Thank you. It will be a bit frustrating always attach the debugger but hey, it works.

Tanks,
Matthias

Answer 3

Hi,

as a little helper for the frustrating part of always attach the debugger, I wrote a little Add-In which starts Visual Studio exp hive and after that attach the debugger to this process. So I do have an experience as pressing F5!

So if someone is interested in this little tool, please feel free to ask me for it. I can then send you the sources or even post it here.

Matthias 

Answer 4

Thanks Mattias.
Actually, I think you can run F5 directly as soon as you have run Ctrl+F5 at least once.

Jean-Marc

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Jean-Marc

Answer 5

Hi Jean-Marc,

you are right, running with F5 works for me now. All the time writing the Add-In for nothing. :)

Anyway, thanks for your great job with the Beta2. There is so much things getting better with 2010, so I almost can't wait to see some samples of the new DSL features like DLS Libraries. Hope you will get the time for these samples soon.

Matthias

Answer 6

OK, I was a little bit fast with my reply that running with F5 is working. In fact, the toolbox items are there but the label for them is showing the error message "(Cannot load resource ...)".

See: http://cid-54d4d49f5b6be49d.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Toolbox.png

So I will use my Add-In to start debugging.

Matthias

Answer 7

After CTRL+F5 move your mouse over the all toolbox items. At this point the should be cached by VS.
So when you'll F5 next time (without making any source changes, otherwise the toolbox cache will be deleted) it will load the tbx items from the cache and it should work. :-)

Answer 8

This also affects UML extensibility.

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- Alan -MSFT

Answer 9

Jean-Marc has posted more info about this issue on his blog:

http://blogs.msdn.com/jmprieur/archive/2009/10/26/empty-toolbox-for-dsl-tools-diagram-in-experimental-hive.aspx  

 

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Esther Fan | User Education

Answer 10

I am getting this same issue with the VS 2010 RC - We have upgraded from Beta 2 to RC. I have tried the fixes but have not been able to get the toolbox items to load. The error is 'Cannot Load Resource: XXXXXXXX'

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Phill

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BCS Meta Man - coming soon...

Answer 11

I will answer my question here :
http://blogs.msdn.com/jmprieur/archive/2010/02/17/dsl-designers-built-from-migrated-beta-2-solutions-might-have-empty-toolbox.aspx

It pays to explore a useful blog!

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BCS Meta Man - coming soon...

Answer 12

I am using the current version some year and a half later and I still have this issue. The toolbox has the error "cannot load resource". I am not and never have used the beta or RC. This seems to be a real issue in the real version. Does anyone know how to debug this issue?