In addition to code generation, object/relational mapping is a subject that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Although I have not been able to use an O/R Mapper as of yet on any projects (not because of lack of desire, only because of lack of support for doing so among the developers I have worked with), I have read about and wanted to get involved with them for probably a year and a half now.

After reading Paul Wilson's rant (via Steve) regarding mappers, I think I am going to finally force myself to sit down and implement a project using one.

As with code gen, O/R mapping is something which, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it (I use code gen, for example, so I can often move quicker on a given project than unbelievers (read: I can do it cheaper))) receives little attention. Funny thing is that people in the J2EE world are familiar with and utilize this pattern, and have for quite a while (Hibernate, SimpleORM). As seems typical with those in the Microsoft camp, slow adoption is prevalent, and amazingly few people really even know what it is or why it may be useful.

Having long been a user of his free DAL generator, LLBLGen (going on 2 years now), Bouma's LLBLGen Pro appeals to me simply because I have watched Frans posts in the Architecture forum at www.asp.net over the last couple of years, and I like his ideas and agree with his opinions (though I will admit my opinions are not as well-informed as his are!).

Until I feel compelled to spend the money and buy LLBLGen Pro, I will give Paul's mapper a try at the much lower cost of $50 (after trying the demo of course). Unfortunately, my anticipation of seeing ObjectSpaces was ruined by Microsoft's inevitable delay thereof. Oh well, what can you do?