T4 Template debugging added to Visual Studio

Ok, so I just finished bashing Visual Studio 2012/2013 for removing macros; but I should mention that they added T4 Debugging to Visual Studio!

Much like macros, the T4 templating engine is a tool that everyone should be aware exists (after all, its Visual Studio’s best kept secret). Any code monkey can write, and re-write the same pattern over and over, but T4 lets you write it once and let your repetitive stress injury finally heal.

If you do embark on T4 templates, its worthy to also check out the T4 Toolbox (which allows loading of custom assemblies) and tangible Engineering’s T4 Editor (which adds intellisense to your T4’s).

‘Macros’ are to IDE as ‘T4’ is to code… The IDE is important, but your code base infinitely more important. If you must use a macro-less IDE, at least get acquainted with T4.

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