CSLA.NET, which stands for Component-Based Scalable Logical Architecture, is a software development framework designed to manage the cost of building and maintaining applications. By focusing on object-based design, CSLA gives all of its built business objects full functionality with all .NET platforms. CSLA is widely preferred due to its versatility and detailed documentation. The big barriers to the successful implementation of CSLA lie in the challenging learning curve and its complexity; these factors lead some to consider other options.
Businesses gravitate towards CSLA because of its ease of use with other critical programs and platforms. The latest version of CSLA.NET, version 4.3, works with Microsoft.NET 4.0, Visual Studio 2010, and Silverlight 5. As the demand for robust mobile applications increases, CSLA 4.3 also supports mobile devices, including Linux, Android and Mac. OS X.
Aside from utility, some critics argue that CSLA’s learning curve makes it unsuitable for some business needs. In theory, small businesses don’t have the time or budget to learn the program or hire experts. CSLA’s only documentation comes in the form of books by creator Rockford Lhotka, and while they’re not prohibitively expensive, some may balk at the proposition of learning a software development framework from a book. The alternative would be to seek a mentor in a classroom setting, but the cost (and perhaps more significantly, the time) involved could be a barrier to entry. Even with training, companies will need at least one person with expert knowledge of things like serialization, generics, and programming using abstract classes. Although no software development framework is “easy” to learn, other open source alternatives may provide a simpler solution. Similarly, the belief in CSLA “feature inflation” generally comes from those with a specific need as opposed to the broad applications of CSLA. For a start-up company with a small project, CSLA’s powerful capabilities could become unnecessary complications.
Other users cite their frustration with CSLA’s reliance on reflection on the interface method implementation. CSLA DataPortal uses reflection to identify the save and retrieve behavior of an object, which can cause problems when debugging your code. Specifically, reflection will negate compile time during the DataPortal runtime, increasing the threat of implementing buggy code. Also, critics of reflection claim that it is slow, especially compared to running static code.
Lhotka developed the original version of CSLA.NET in 1998, and its long history of refinement has now given it the status of the “alpha and omega” of open source software development frameworks. For some, its general capabilities will require too complex knowledge for efficient use due to budget and time constraints. Those without the experience or finances to take full advantage of CSLA.NET’s offerings should consider an open source alternative with a narrower focus. However, for companies that have the means to take full advantage of it, it remains one of the best options on the market for open source .NET development frameworks.