.NET Tools

Here are listed some of the existing companion tools for .NET development.
Although quite comprehensive, this list is not exhaustive. You can submit new tools or report a dead link by dropping me a line.

Note: I have to restrict myself to tool products, and avoid components, class libraries, articles, techniques... otherwise the list would be way too long! That does not mean that I won't make exceptions if I decide to cover a particular area (probably I did already ;-) ).

Chad Osgood has created an RSS feed for this list. Check it out right now to keep informed when the list is updated.

Code generation

• NVelocity
• CodeSmith
• X-Code .NET
• XGoF - Part of the NMatrix project by DEVerest

Compilation

• eXtensible C# - ResolveCorp
• Mono
• DotGNU - GNU
• Delta Forth .NET - Valer Bocan
• S# - SmallScript Corp.

Obfuscation

• LSW-IL-Obfuscator - Lesser Software
• Demeanor for .NET - Wise Owl
• Salamander .NET Obfuscator - Remotesoft
• Salamander .NET Protector - Remotesoft
• IL-Obfuscator - 9rays.Net
• Deploy.NET - Jungle Creatures
• Dotfuscator - PreEmptive Solutions (lite version included in Visual Studio 2003)
• XenoCode - Oak Vale Networks
• Thinstall - Jonathan Clark

Decompilation

• Salamander .NET Decompiler - Remotesoft
• Anakrino

Object browsing - Assembly viewers

• .NET Reflector - Lutz Roeder
• .NET Resourcer - Lutz Roeder
• LSW-DotNet-Reflection-Browser - Lesser Software
• .NET Component Inspector - nogoop software
• Object State Browser - Jeff Key
• ControlInspector - Jabes
• Asmex - Ben Peterson

Refactoring

• C# Refactoring Tool - .NET Refactoring
• C# Refactory - Xtreme Simplicity

Persistence and data-related code generation

See also "RAD Tools - Application Development Automation" below

• OlyMars (SQL Server Centric .NET Code Generator)
• LLBLGen - Solutions Design
• .NET N-Tier Framework Generator - Gavin Joyce
• Entity Broker - Thona Consulting
• KickStarter.Net
• TierDeveloper - AlachiSoft
• SP/Invoke
• Data Tier Modeler for .NET (DTM) - Evaluant
• Pragmatier Data Tier Builder
• ORM.NET - Olero Software
• .Net Persistence - Netica
• ObjectSpaces - Microsoft
• Sisyphus Persistence Framework
• Objectz.NET - Mongoose solutions
• Visible Developer - Visible Systems
• NHibernate
• ObjectSpark - Firestar Software
• Bamboo.Prevalence
• ADO.NET Powertoys - The ADO Guy
• Database to .NET - Nantronix Software
• Xheo.Enterprise - Xheo
• PERST - Konstantin Knizhnik

RAD tools - Application development automation

• DeKlarit - ARTech
• DataPhor - Alphora
• CompileX - Atlantis DB Software

Modeling - Software design - Architecture - Model driven architecture - UML

• Rational XDE - IBM
• Visio - Microsoft (part of Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect edition)
• Visual Case - Artiso
• MagicDraw - No Magic
• Constructor() - Dot Net Builders
• Wilde - WildeTechnologies
• Enterprise Architect - Sparx Systems
• Codagen Architect - Codagen Technologies

IDEs - Code editors - IDE add-ins for code edition

• Visual Studio .NET - Microsoft
• SharpDevelop
• PrimalCode - Sapien
• ASP.NET Web Matrix - Microsoft
• Improve C# Plugin for Eclipse - Improve
• QuickCode.NET - Development Expertise
• CodeWright for Microsoft Visual Studio .NET - Borland
• Eiffel ENViSioN! - Eiffel Software
• EiffelStudio - Eiffel Software
• Visual Perl - ActiveState
• Visual Python - ActiveState
• Visual XSLT - ActiveState
• Visual SlickEdit - SlickEdit
• Total .NET SourceBook - FMS
• Total .NET XRef - FMS

Builds

• NAnt
• SLiNgshoT
• Draco.NET
• CruiseControl.NET
• FinalBuilder - Atozed Software
• BuildIt - Microsoft
• Visual Build Professional - Kinook Software
• Hippo.NET

Testing

• NUnit
• NUnitAddin
• NUnitAsp
• csUnit
• .NET Mock
• X-Unity - MIIK Ltd.
• HarnessIt - United Binary
• SilkPerformer .NET Explorer - Segue
• Test.NET - Parasoft

Code analysis - Standards verifiers

• FxCop - Microsoft
• DotEASY
• Total .NET Analyzer - FMS
• CLRxLint - Software4net

Profiling - Monitoring - Performance Testing - Optimization

• nprof
• Application Center Test - Microsoft (part of Visual Studio .NET Enterprise editions)
• DevPartner Profiler - Compuware Corporation
• DevPartner Studio - Compuware Corporation
• AQtime .NET - AutomatedQA
• Rational Quantify for Windows - IBM
• .NET Memory Profiler - SciTech Software AB
• Allocation Profiler (source) - Microsoft
• ANTS Profiler - Red Gate Software
• ANTS Load - Red Gate Software
• ASPNETWatchDog - ASPNETWatchDog
• Optimizeit Profiler - Borland
• VTune Performance Analyzer - Intel

Documentation - Code commenting

• NDoc
• Documentor for .NET - Lutz Roeder
• Visual Studio .NET Help Integration Kit - Microsoft
• VB.DOC
• VB.NET XML Comments Creator - Fesersoft
• VB.NET XML Commentor - Tor-Erik Hagen
• TeeGofer - Steema Software
• CodeReview - Macadamian Technologies
• NetDoc - Sydlow LLC

Frameworks

• Mere Mortals .NET Framework - Oak Leaf Enterprises Solution Design
• Odyseus - Radical Technologies
• ACES for .NET - Silver Leap Technologies

MVC

• Maverick.NET

AOP

• AspectC#
• Weave.NET

Code versioning - Source control

• Visual SourceSafe - Microsoft (part of Visual Studio .NET Enterprise editions)
• SourceGear Vault - SourceGear
• SourceOffsite - SourceGear
• SourceOffsite Collaborative Edition - SourceGear
• Jalindi Igloo
• Ankh
• AccuRev

Localization

• Enterprise Localization Toolkit - Microsoft

Reporting

• ActiveReports - Data Dynamics
• Crystal Reports - Crystal Decisions
• Report Sharp-Shooter - 9rays.Net

Page templating

• Page Template Generator - Paul Wilson
• Xheo.WebTemplate - Xheo
• Xheo.WebSkin - Xheo

Scripting

• Alintex Script Host - Alintex
• DOTNET Scripting Host - Holger Schwichtenberg
• Toolsack DotNet Script Host - Toolsack Software
• PerlASPX - ActiveState

Installation

• InstallShield - InstallShield
• Wise for Visual Studio .NET - Wise Solutions

Regular Expressions

• RegexDesigner.NET - Chris Sells
• Expresso - Ultrapico

Mainframes - Legacy Systems

• ClientBuilder - ClientSoft
• ServiceBuilder - ClientSoft

Code conversion - Language migration

• ASP2ASPX - Netcoole
• WinFormToWeb - ArtinSoft
• Java Language Conversion Assistant - Microsoft

Others

• Page ViewState Parser - Paul Wilson
• ViewState Decoder - Fritz Onion
• FormBuilder.NET - Dan Wahlin
• Cassini Web Server - Microsoft
• Web.Config Editor - HunterStone
• Xheo.Licensing - Xheo
• xmlspy - Altova
• SP Compare - Bewise

Useful links

• Persistence: http://groups.msn.com/DotNetPersistence/tools.msnw
• C#: http://www.gotdotnet.com/team/csharp/tools/default.aspx
• Languages: http://dotnetweblogs.com/Britchie/posts/3920.aspx