Ramunas Geciauskas

Settings4Net

Ramas — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:33:16 +0000

The Ultimate Settings/Configurations Library for .NET

Settings4Net – is the last Settings/Configurations management library you will ever need for your .NET applications. Think of it as a standard .NET Properties.Settings “on steroids”.

Features

Beyond the basic functionality of storing/retrieving your program or/and custom user settings, Settings4Net in addition allows you:

Load and save your settings to as many XML files files as you wish (allows an easy manual modifications).
Reset all as well as individual setting value to default one.
Prevent manual modifications of settings files.
Generate fully functional PropertyGrid object allowing easy and powerful way for user to change your program’s settings.
Mark properties as read only, hide them from users and track their last modification date/time.
Group your settings in categories, add description, custom tags, default value. Set allowed minimum and/or maximum values.
Extends Collections.Hashtable class, allowing you to quickly manipulate your settings and use it as a native .NET Settings extension. (Simply type Settings["New Settings"] = MyValue;” and it’s done)
Extended native supportfor the following object types:
- Integer
- Boolean
- Double
- String
- Color
- DateTime
- Font
  - Therefore, for example, you can simply set minimum/maximum values of allowed dates, store your custom Fonts or Colors without any need to serialize or cast them.
- Easy (includes usage examples, full documentation, and help files). Powerful (additional functions helps you achieve your goals in the most intuitive ways). Open Source (released under MIT license).
Quick Start Guide

Add reference to “Settings4Net.dll” file and include it in your solution.
Settings4Net is part of RamGecTools suite and uses this namespace.
Basic usage example:
```
// create your settings object
RamGecTools.Settings4Net MySettings = new RamGecTools.Settings4Net();

// add your settings
MySettings["My String"] = "I'm using Settings4Net!";
MySettings["My Favorite Color"] = Color.FromArgb(128, 64, 198);

// retrieve your settings
string str = (string)MySettings["My String"];
Color color = (Color)MySettings.GetItemOrDefaultValue("My Favorite Color", Color.Thistle);

// display your settings in PropertyGrid
PropertyGrid propertyGrid = new PropertyGrid();
propertyGrid.SelectedObject = MySettings.GeneratePropertyGridObject();

// save
MySettings.Save("filename.xml");
```
Get It

Check codeplex page for more information | Download

DayDetails.com

Ramas — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:12:55 +0000

DayDetails.com is a free web service that lets you check various interesting facts and details about your birthday or any other date. You can quickly find out how old you are according to Islamic, Iranian, and many other calendars. What your age would be in different places or even on the other planets, learn your astrological sign based on many various Zodiacs, as well as amusing details such as how many seconds you are alive and when is your anniversaries coming up.

Dynamically Creating .NET Assembly with System.Reflection and Emit

Ramas — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:58:14 +0000

While creating DeleteAfterRunning application which allows to build self-deleting executable files, I come across System.Reflection class in .NET for creating assemblies in the run-time. All .NET assemblies are made from IL code which you can examine using any .NET dissembler. I use IL Dasm which comes with a Visual Studio.

Dynamically Creating a New .NET Assembly

Classes we need to examine are:

AppDomain – controls isolated environment where our assemblies are running
AssemblyName – allows us to identify our assembly
AssemblyBuilder – key class for creating a new assembly dinamically
ModuleBuilder, TypeBuilder, MethodBuilder – additional classes used to define methods, types, etc
ILGenerator – class which generates .NET IL code for us

Code:

using System.Reflection;
using System.Reflection.Emit;

private static void GenerateNewAssembly(string name, string fileName)
{
    // get an instance to our isolated environment, aka ApplicationDomain
    AppDomain appDomain = AppDomain.CurrentDomain;

    // create a descriptor for our new assembly and define its name
    AssemblyName assemblyName = new AssemblyName(name);

    // define AssemblyBuilder and assign its rights
    AssemblyBuilder aBuilder = appDomain.DefineDynamicAssembly(assemblyName,
        AssemblyBuilderAccess.Save);    // AssemblyBuilder can only save our new assembly

    // creating assembly's core module specifying name and file name (location)
    ModuleBuilder mBuilder = aBuilder.DefineDynamicModule(name, fileName);

    // define a Type that we'll use
    TypeBuilder tBuilder = mBuilder.DefineType(name + "Type", TypeAttributes.Public);

    // and finally let's define our first method - Main() (which is required for any executable file)
    MethodBuilder methodBuilder = tBuilder.DefineMethod("Main",
        MethodAttributes.Public | MethodAttributes.Static,  // method attributes == public static void Main() {}
        null, null);

    // declare that your Main function will be an entry point for our assembly
    aBuilder.SetEntryPoint(methodBuilder,
        PEFileKinds.ConsoleApplication); // we will set a target to CUI rather than GUI for this example

    // IL code generator for our Main method
    ILGenerator il = methodBuilder.GetILGenerator();
    // create our IL code
    CreateIL(il);

    // create our defined Type
    tBuilder.CreateType();

    // save our new assembly
    aBuilder.Save(fileName);
}

private static void CreateIL(ILGenerator il)
{
    // System.Console.WriteLine("Hello World!"); translated to IL code with ILGenerator help
    il.EmitWriteLine("Hello World!");
    // end Main method with a return call
    il.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);
}

Adding IL Code

Now we can call GenerateNewAssembly(“Test”, “test.exe”) method to generate a new Test assembly in “test.exe” file. The new executable file can be used as any other .NET .exe assembly, but all it does – displays a simple “Hello World!” text and quits. What if we want to add some functionality? Let’s say, add Console.ReadKey() method to wait for user’s input before closing. Time to expand our CreateIL() method and dive into IL code.

First, we need to figure out what IL operation codes we need to use to call Console.ReadKey() method. Let’s create a simple console application that has only a Console.ReadKey() in it. Compile. Run Visual Studio Command Prompt and start IL Dasm (execute “ildasm” command in the command prompt). Open the assembly and check IL code.

.method private hidebysig static void  Main(string[] args) cil managed
{
  .entrypoint
  // Code size       8 (0x8)
  .maxstack  8
  IL_0000:  nop
  IL_0001:  call       valuetype [mscorlib]System.ConsoleKeyInfo [mscorlib]System.Console::ReadKey()
  IL_0006:  pop
  IL_0007:  ret
} // end of method Program::Main

Line 8 – nop operation that does absolutely nothing. Just skips the CPU cycle (mainly used to reduce overhead).
Line 9 – call operation with provided argument to specific method.
Line 10 – pop operation, which “pops” last entry in the assembly allocated stack. Stack is a place where methods pass their results, and since ReadKey() method returns us ConsoleKeyInfo object, we need to retrieve (“pop”) it from the stack, even if we won’t use it.
Line 11 – ret operation equivalent to return call, which ends our method’s execution.

So, let’s extend our CreateIL() method to incorporate this IL.

private static void CreateIL(ILGenerator il)
{
    // System.Console.WriteLine("Hello World!"); translated to IL code with ILGenerator help
    il.EmitWriteLine("Hello World!");

    // get ReadKey() method information
    // GetMethod() will searh for specified method in .NET
    MethodInfo mInfo = typeof(System.Console).GetMethod("ReadKey",
        Type.EmptyTypes);       // we're not passing any parameters therefore Type.EmptyTypes
        // if we're looking for a method with additional parameters, you would need to specify their type
        // ...new Type[] { typeof(..), .. }
        // i.e. WriteLine("Hello") would be:
        // MethodInfo mInfo = typeof(System.Console).GetMethod("WriteLine", new Type[] { typeof(String) });

    // write "call" OP code with ReadKey method's information
    il.Emit(OpCodes.Call, mInfo);

    // pop the stack - retrieving the result
    il.Emit(OpCodes.Pop);

    // end Main method with a return call
    il.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);
}

Conclusion

There you have it. By using ILDasm, you can easily explore all OP Codes for any .NET assembly and then using System.Reflection classes recreate it dynamically. Analyzing our newly created test.exe with ILDasm, we can see that our IL looks exactly the same as we originally wanted.

You can explore DeleteAfterRunning sources for more examples of Emit class usage.

DeleteAfterRunning

Ramas — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:56:20 +0000

Small open source application allowing you to convert any file to self-deleting executable file. You have a picture, audio file or a document you want to share, but don’t want anyone to keep a copy? Simply create a self-deleting package using DeleteAfterRunning that can be opened once, and when the user finished viewing the file, it will automatically destroys itself, preventing making a copy.

Here’s how it works:

You select a file from your computer. Can be any file – picture, document, video, you name it.
Use DeleteAfterRunning to create an executable (*.exe) file.
Share your file.
Once a user opens the file, it will run as any ordinary file.
After a user closes the file, it will automatically securely deletes itself preventing making any copies or running it again.

Software is open-source (released under MIT license), fast and lightweight. No installation needed. Just download and run. Currently in Beta development stage. You can grab the latest copy from Codeplex.

KeyboardMouseHooks

Ramas — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:07:05 +0000

Description

KeyboardMouseHooks C# Library is part of RamGec Tools collection for .NET developers. It enables you, in a very easy, optimized and OO-way, via C# events system to install and track low level Windows keyboard and mouse hooks. Library consists of two separate classes (KeyboardHook and MouseHook). Check compiled demo application to see all of its features.

Supported Hook Events

#region Events
public event KeyboardHookCallback KeyDown;
public event KeyboardHookCallback KeyUp;
#endregion

#region Events
public event MouseHookCallback LeftButtonDown;
public event MouseHookCallback LeftButtonUp;
public event MouseHookCallback RightButtonDown;
public event MouseHookCallback RightButtonUp;
public event MouseHookCallback MouseMove;
public event MouseHookCallback MouseWheel;
public event MouseHookCallback DoubleClick;
public event MouseHookCallback MiddleButtonDown;
public event MouseHookCallback MiddleButtonUp;
#endregion

Features

You can see and test all available features in this small demo application.

Capture all Keyboard and Mouse events.
OO classes using “event” methods for maximum usability.
Simple, lightweight, efficient, performance oriented and easy to use.
Free to use (MIT license), modify or expand.

Usage

// initialize both classes
RamGecTools.MouseHook mouseHook = new RamGecTools.MouseHook();
RamGecTools.KeyboardHook keyboardHook = new RamGecTools.KeyboardHook();

// add as many events as you like
mouseHook.MouseMove += new RamGecTools.MouseHook.MouseHookCallback(mouseHook_MouseMove);
keyboardHook.KeyDown += new RamGecTools.KeyboardHook.KeyboardHookCallback(keyboardHook_KeyDown);
// ...

// install hooks
mouseHook.Install();
keyboardHook.Install();

// once specified event happens, your registered method will be fired
// MouseHook uses MouseHookCallback delegate
// KeyboardHook uses KeyboardHookCallback delegate

Download

MoodTurn.com

Ramas — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:00:49 +0000

The boss is on your back. The project is way behind schedule. You dropped your BlackBerry in the loo. Starbucks is out of cookies. Everything’s going wrong today and you just… can’t… take it anymore! AHHHHHH!

If you need to de-stress at work, try MoodTurn. The site plays calming, soothing music mixed with the sounds of nature, while at the same time treating you to a peaceful nature scene. In no time at all, you’ll be down from the clock tower and surrendering your rifle to the authorities.

MoodTurn.com was created in early 2010 as a one of my side projects. Originally it was just a small and personal website, developed to help me relax after a long hard day and clear my mind, but thanks to LifeHacker, MakeUseOf and others, I’m glad more and more people are finding it useful as well.

http://MoodTurn.com

RamGec Design

Ramas — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:12:30 +0000

Independent service providing web design assistance and counsel for clients including search engine optimization, front-end design, and back-end programming.

Specializing in helping businesses as well as individual people to get most from their website. It’s done with great design, creative ideas, sincere advice and suggestions, solid technical skills and a focus on clients’ goals and objectives.

Clean Code

Every little bit of code I write is based on a latest web standards, such as XHTML 1.1, HTML5 and CSS 2/3.

For those who don’t know what W3C is, let me explain it in simple terms: Any webpage I create is (and always will) be equally well rendered on any computer, regardless if it’s Mac, Windows or even a Mobile Device. It makes your webpage customizable, lightweight, easy to load and navigate.

Technologies

First impression is extremely important, but you shouldn’t neglect user experience factor. Those little details like quick pop up of an image from your gallery or unique transition to a different page in your website counts. Using JQuery technology, I can animate and create your website interactive even without a need of Flash or other resource-intense methods.

Front end is just a part of your website. If you’re creating a blog or online business your will require dynamic content which should be easily edited and modified. This is done using PHP programming language and MySQL database. Easy administration page of your website will let you interact with any content of your own website without any need of specialized skills.

Services

Everything you might need for your website:

Frontend (XHTML & CSS) design.
Backend (PHP & MySQL/SQLite) programming.
JavaScript (based on JQuery and other AJAX libraries) programming.
PSD, PNG or any other image conversion to webpage.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and product branding.
Advice, suggestion, ideas.

RamHook

Ramas — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:02:47 +0000

Free and completely open source keystroke logging application, allows you to capture and record all keyboard input to file. Program is extremely small and lightweight, can run in a hidden mode, upload log file to specified web server. Due to open source nature, software is secure and transparent.

Developed using .NET/C#. All source files are available at codeplex.com.

Main Features

Captures all keyboard input
Caching and low level hooks uses minimal amount of CPU cycles
Highly customizable
Hidden mode
Windows integration
Log file uploading to remote servers
Clean, simple, lightweight, open source, and straightforward

Released under MIT license. Hosted by Codeplex.

http://ramhook.codeplex.com/

RamGec Duplicate Finder

Ramas — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:11:17 +0000

Fast, simple and reliable way locating file duplicates on your computer.
This free application will search your defined folder for exact copies of your pictures, documents, archives or other files.

Just select your folder and with a single click locate all your duplicated files on your computer that consume unnecessary your disk space.
Reliable and fast comparison can quickly run through your pictures, music files, archives, documents or any other data files searching for exact copies. It’s a free, features-rich, open source application with a simple, flexible and easy to use user interface.

Key features:

Freeware and Open Source
Lightweight and Easy To Use
Custom Search Queries
Multithreaded, Resource-Friendly

In other words – small and useful utility that does exactly what you ask for.

http://dupfinder.geciauskas.com

Ramunas Geciauskas

Settings4Net

The Ultimate Settings/Configurations Library for .NET

Features

Quick Start Guide

Get It

DayDetails.com

Dynamically Creating .NET Assembly with System.Reflection and Emit

Dynamically Creating a New .NET Assembly

Code:

Adding IL Code

Conclusion

DeleteAfterRunning

KeyboardMouseHooks

Description

Supported Hook Events

Features

Usage

Download

MoodTurn.com

RamGec Design

Clean Code

Technologies

Services

RamHook

Main Features

RamGec Duplicate Finder

Key features: