Code generation is the technique of using or writing programs that write source code. Code generators are tools built to serve engineers in the creation of applications. Just as woodworkers use customized tools called jigs to allow them to build furniture more quickly and accurately, code generators allow engineers to concentrate on building the application while the generator handles the grunt work tasks.

Code generation is not a new technique, it has been a technique in the pocket of experienced engineers for years. Code Generation in Action, Manning's first book on the subject, introduces the technique and brings it to life in a practical manner within today's frameworks. The book first covers the theory of code generation at a practical level. It covers the structure and construction of generators from very small, to full application generators. The second half of the book applies these techniques to real world problems. The application sections cover generation for user interface, unit testing, documentation, web services layers, database access, data interchange, business logic, and more. In all there are more than fifteen full documented generators in the book, with links to numerous off the shelf tools.

Code Generation in Action is not an academic book. It is practical book about building, using, and deploying code generators to solve real world issues. You won't have to pull out your dictionary or your calculus textbook to learn everything you need to know about code generation using this book.

On-line Support

The author of the book, Jack Herrington, is the founder and was first editor of the Code Generation Network (CGN). CGN covers all things generation. There are interviews with engineers using and building code generators as well as articles, tutorials and example code. CGN hosts two mailing lists where you can discuss Code Generation with like-minded developers.

More About Generation

For up-to-date information about today's code generation utilities visit the Code Generation Network.

Book Code

The book code is available for download.

Sample Chapters

Chapters one and four are available as PDFs for download.

Errata

You can find the errata on the errata page.

About The Author

Jack Herrington is an engineer with over twenty years of application shipping experience in a variety of programming environments and business domains. He has shipped several products using one or more of the code generation techniques described in the book. Jack can be contacted directly at jack_d_herrington@pobox.com.

About The Guy With The Spear

The guy with the spear is a Bedouin warrior. The Bedouins are a group of nomadic tribes in the Middle East. They are especially well known for their love of horses. They bred four different types of Arabian horse. Legend has it that one horse was so loyal that it returned it's rider to his camp after he was wounded in battle. It's Jack's hope that you find Code Generation in Action as handy to you as this Bedouin finds his horse.