Athen Tech Bytes – June Edition I

Welcome back to our Techbytes!??

This edition explores the cutting-edge world of .NET and AI. Get ready to ignite your creativity and supercharge your productivity!?

Spotlight:

1. Getting started with UI testing .NET MAUI apps using Appium?
2. Building Generative AI apps with .NET 8?
3. The .NET MAUI Extension for Visual Studio Code is now Generally Available?
4. Updates on the SPFx Experiences in M365

Getting started with UI testing .NET MAUI apps using Appium?

At Athen, we're excited to explore the transformative potential of Appium for UI testing in .NET MAUI apps. Imagine seamlessly ensuring your app's interface performs flawlessly across platforms with Appium's cross-platform capabilities. It's more than just testing – it's about guaranteeing a superior user experience.?

Appium: Your Cross-Platform UI Testing Partner?

Appium is a popular framework that allows you to write UI tests for various apps (native, web, hybrid) across different operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS).?

How Appium Works:?

• Appium Server: Sends UI interaction commands to the app under test.?

• Platform-Specific Drivers: Translate those commands into actions for each platform (taps, swipes, etc.).?

Benefits of Appium for .NET MAUI UI Testing?

• Universality: Appium treats your .NET MAUI app as a native app, no matter the framework (Xamarin.Forms, Uno Platform, etc.).?

• Flexibility: Choose your preferred test runner, like MSTest, NUnit, or xUnit.?

Project Structure & Code Sharing?

Organize your UI test projects using one of two approaches:?

• Separate projects per platform: Dedicated test project for each platform.?

• Single project for all platforms: All tests in one project, easier to manage.?

Sample Code Approach: Uses a single project (BasicAppiumNunitSample) with a Shared project to store most of your test code, accessible from your IDE (Visual Studio or VS Code).?

Configuration?

Each platform has an AppiumSetup.cs file to configure Appium and the driver. Key setup points:?

• RunBeforeAnyTests: Starts Appium server and configures driver.?

• App Property: Stores the Appium driver instance.?

• Device Configuration: Set device/emulator/simulator in AppiumSetup.cs.?

Writing Tests?

• Identify UI Elements: Use the AutomationId property.?

• Inherit for Efficiency: Use a base class like BaseTest.cs.?

• Arrange-Act-Assert:?

• Arrange: Set up the test environment.?

• Act: Simulate user interaction.?

• Assert: Verify the outcome.?
• Reference: Click here to view the details ?

Building Generative AI apps with .NET 8?

Explore the transformative potential of AI integration in .NET 8, redefining application development with robust Large Language Models (LLMs).?

At Athen, we're excited about .NET 8's AI capabilities, seamlessly integrating LLMs to elevate user engagement, increase productivity, and unlock fresh business opportunities, gaining a distinct competitive advantage.?

• .NET 8 embraces AI: Easily integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) into your .NET projects.?

• Benefits of AI-powered apps: Increased user engagement, boosted productivity, new business opportunities, and a competitive edge.?

• Get started with .NET & AI: New documentation, samples, and quickstart guides using Azure OpenAI SDK or Semantic Kernel library.?

• Semantic Kernel for simplified AI development: Work with various models and vector stores using a common set of abstractions.?

• Monitor your AI apps: End-to-end traceability and debugging with Semantic Kernel and OpenTelemetry.?

• Solid foundation for AI applications: .NET runtime and libraries provide robust tools for building AI solutions.?

• AI at the edge with Small Language Models (SLMs): Leverage OnnxRuntime GenAI to run models locally for tailored solutions.?

• Growing .NET AI ecosystem: New tools like the official OpenAI library, Azure Functions OpenAI Bindings, and AI Application Templates.?

• Real-world example: H&R Block's AI Tax Assistant built with .NET and Azure OpenAI.?

• Reference: Click here to view the details ?

The .NET MAUI Extension for Visual Studio Code is now Generally Available?

The official launch of the .NET MAUI Extension for Visual Studio Code brings a powerful toolkit to your fingertips, supercharging your cross-platform app development experience.?

Here at Athen, we're excited about this integration. The .NET MAUI Extension seamlessly leverages the C# Dev Kit and C# extension, giving you everything you need in one place.?

Powerful .NET MAUI development in VS Code:?

• All-in-one solution: Leverages C# Dev Kit and C# extension for features like Solution Explorer, C# Hot Reload, and IntelliSense.?

• Mobile & desktop targeting: Build apps for all platforms with ease.?
• Enhanced XAML editing:??

• Intelligent autocomplete & tooltips?

• Seamless code navigation?

• Works with Copilot for advanced assistance?

XAML Hot Reload is here!?

• Edit your XAML code and see changes reflected instantly in the running app - no restarts required!?
• Reference: Click here to view the details ?

Updates on the SPFx Experiences in M365

Enter the dynamic realm of SharePoint Framework (SPFx), where innovation meets collaboration. At Athen, we're passionate about empowering businesses, and the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a game-changer. This innovative platform unlocks a dynamic realm of possibilities, fostering seamless collaboration and customization within Microsoft 365.?

SPFx adoption on the rise?

• Increasing submissions of SPFx solutions to app stores.?

• Millions of monthly active users leveraging SPFx customizations.?

Why SPFx is winning:?

• Single codebase for Microsoft 365 experiences (Viva, Teams, Outlook, etc.).?

• Industry-standard tech, easy SSO, and automatic hosting.?

SPFx roadmap highlights:?

• Viva Connections chart card support (SPFx 1.19): Enhance data visualization.?

• SharePoint Add-in & Azure ACS deprecation: Move towards UX-powered SPFx solutions. (Introduced in 2012, these models lack recent advancements).?

• New features in SPFx 1.18 and beyond.?

• Targeted Viva Connections solutions in app stores: Streamlined deployment for suitable SPFx solutions.?

• Extending SPFx across Microsoft 365: Leverage SPFx for Teams, Viva, Outlook, and more (see v1.16 announcement).?

• Unified packaging for Teams and SPFx: Best of both worlds for cross-platform solutions.?

• SPFx solutions in the Teams store (future): Dependent on unified packaging progress.?

• SPFx extensibility for SharePoint list/library interactions: Coming soon!?

• Reference: Click here to view the details ?

Unleash innovation! .NET and AI together. Automate tasks, collaborate seamlessly, and supercharge productivity. Let's build something amazing.?