### Visual Studio 2019

This is now natively supported in **Visual Studio 2019**


[Searching for objects and properties in the Watch, Autos, and Locals Window][1] by [Leslie Richardson][2]

[![VS Code Search][3]][1]




### OZ Code
There is also a *commercial* Visual Studio Extension called [**OzCode**][4] which has lots of debugging experience enhancements including [*search*][5]:


[![OZ Code Search][7]][7]


  [1]: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/enhanced-in-visual-studio-2019-search-for-objects-and-properties-in-the-watch-autos-and-locals-windows/
  [2]: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/author/lerich/
  [3]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/Rea6K.gif
  [4]: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=CodeValueLtd.OzCode
  [5]: https://www.oz-code.com/main#/features#search
  [6]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/TIM6k.gif
  [7]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/9b0BU.gif

I am using visual studio 2010. I have set a breakpoint and added a watch on a complex object with very deep hierarchy. I was wondering if there was any quick way to search this object tree for a particular string I want. Either as a property/value/method etc. In other words, I just want to say "Does this object have anything like "Foo" in it. I don't care what it is, just tell me if it knows about "Foo". Give me all instances of "Foo"."

For example, if I have an object containing 3 Dictionaries and 4 XML elements, when I break and add watch on the object and search for "Foo", I want to find out that list 2 has a string with "Foo", List 3 has an Object "Bar" which has property "Foo" and XMLElement 1 has a child "Foo"

Is there any powerpack plugin, commercial plugin or some other extension of visual studio that would let me do this?

To give you some context. I am evaluating various PDF parsing components to parse various PDFs. I am trying to extract certain custom tags, pdf content and various other artifacts etc. While doing this, once the pdf is read and parsed, it would be nice to search the object and say something like does this know anything about the text "My Signature"... hmm.. nope. Ok. Lets call this "ConvertToHTML" method to get object B. Does object B know anything about "My Signature" etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Searching for text in an Object watch window in visual studio

Here's a full step-by-step guide because there is a lot of scattered information and the linked Microsoft article assumes a lot of information.


First let's clarify the terms used throughout the rest of the guide:

![diagram][diagram]

**Client** is the computer on which you do development 
**Remote** is the computer the code has been deployed to that is running on IIS

1. Install msvsmon.exe (**M**icro**s**oft **V**isual**S**tudio **Mon**itor) on the Remote computer. 
 You can find the executable installed with Visual Studio on your Client at the following path:

  

 <pre><code>VS 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\Remote Debugger\x86 
 VS 2017: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\Packages\Debugger\X64</code></pre>

 When the tool is up and running, you should see the following application: 

 ![new server][new server]

 The Debugging Monitor has created a server that you can connect to remotely. If you're on a Windows machine, the the name is probably <Code>User@Remote</code>. Remember this name, because you'll need it later. If you want to copy it directly, you can go to Tools > Options and you'll see the server name. You can even change it to something else if you like.

2. From here you can try the shotgun approach and see if everything works, but depending on your network configuration, there might be some additional hiccups. To attempt to debug remotely, open the project up in Visual Studio. This should be the same exact project that is deployed on IIS.

 In Visual Studio, you'll want to attach to the process on the new server. Go to Tools > Attach to Process or hit <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>P</kbd>

 ![attach to process][attach to process]

3. In the Attach to Process dialog, change the Qualifier from your current computer's name to the new server name (<code>User@Remote</code>) and hit enter to see a list of the available processes on the remote computer:

 ![attach dialog][attach dialog]

4. If everything comes back right away, you're in good hands. It means there were no firewall policies preventing you from connecting with the remote server, and you can skip to Step 6. 

 Alternatively, if you got the following message, it means your firewall is blocking the client and remote boxes from communicating.

 ![Unable to connect to the Microsoft Visual Studio Remote Debugging Monitor named 'User@Remote'. The Visual Studio Remote Debugger on the target computer cannot connect back to this computer. A firewall may be preventing communication via DCOM to the local computer. Please see Help for assistance.][firewall error]

5. If you weren't able to connect, there could be range of problems depending on your domain policies. For the official firewall setups, you can check out Microsoft's [Configure the Windows 7 Firewall for Remote Debugging][MS firewall guide], but I found it to be lacking in detail.

 If attaching failed, but you still get a message that the user connected like this:

 ![connected][connected]

 Then it means that the problem is not with the outbound rules on the client or the inbound rules on the remote server. It's much more likely the issue is with the inbound rules on the client machine. 

 To fix this, on the Client computer, go to Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings which should open up *Windows Firewall with Advanced Security*. Select *Inbound Rules* and right click to enter a *New Rule*:

 ![new rule][new rule]

 Give the rule any name. Based off advice in [this SO question][SO firewall], instead of exempting particular ports, we'll allow all traffic to go through for any Visual Studio executable. Go to Programs and Services and select the full folder path to the 2010 install of visual studio: 
 `%ProgramFiles% (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe`

 Then make sure that the rule only applies to computers within the domain (making sure private and public are unchecked).

 ![visual studio rule][visual studio rule]

 With any luck, when you go back to attach the process, you should be able to get into the remote machine.

6. At this point, you should see a list of all the processes on the remote machine. If you wanted to debug a windows application, you'd just pick the name of the process. For ASP.NET, we want to attach to the w3wp.exe (WWW **W**orker **P**rocess). If you don't see it in the list, try kicking off the server by opening up the webpage of the application you'd like to debug. You can do this on localhost or by navigating to the address in IIS from any computer.

 ![attach dialog connected][attach dialog connected]

 Make sure to attach to the right type of code for your application. You can select between native (C++, etc.) or Managed (VB, C#, etc), or select automatic and let Visual Studio decide.

7. If you get the following error, I found that reopening Visual Studio and msvsmon.exe with Admin privileges fixed the issue

 ![Unable to attach to the process. The Visual Studio Remote Debugger (MSVSMON.EXE) has insufficient privileges to debug this process. To debug this process, launch the remote debugger using 'Run as administrator'. If the remote debugger has been configured to run as a service, ensure that it is running under an account that is a member of the Administrators group.][admin error]

8. You'll see a security warning that you can accept by clicking *Attach*:

 ![security warning][security warning]

9. The last issue I ran into was the getting the Debugger Files to load. You need to make sure that the libraries that are being executed exactly match the ones that are currently loaded in visual studio and that they have the correct .pdb files in the solution on the client machine. You can inspect which modules were loaded and where they loaded from by going to Debug > Windows > Modules or hitting <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>U</kbd>.
 For more on loading debugger files, you can also try any of the following resources:

 * [Stopping The "Breakpoint Will Not Currently Be Hit" Message][pdb 1]
 * [Fixing "The breakpoint will not currently be hit. No symbols have been loaded for this document."][pdb 2]

Hopefully it's up and working for you at this point. Now you can catch any calls made into your IIS hosted code and step through them same as you would during development.

![Proof of Concept][POC]


**Further Reading**:

* [How to: Set Up Remote Debugging][MS Remote Debugging]
* [Remote IIS Debugging : Debug your ASP.NET Application which is hosted on "Remote IIS Server"][Remote IIS Debugging Article]


[album]: http://imgur.com/a/IQkhG
[diagram]: http://i.imgur.com/BXX58wp.png
[new server]: http://i.imgur.com/gqOfW7I.png
[attach to process]: http://i.imgur.com/PqYkOXv.png
[attach dialog]: http://i.imgur.com/eCZSGJe.png
[firewall error]: http://i.imgur.com/eukbZ6U.png
[connected]: http://i.imgur.com/BN7AYyk.png
[new rule]: http://i.imgur.com/iilYpNu.png
[visual studio rule]: http://i.imgur.com/jebGBxu.png
[attach dialog connected]: http://i.imgur.com/THVmjPN.png
[admin error]: http://i.imgur.com/q2HHBBJ.png
[security warning]: http://i.imgur.com/CnEFvIL.png
[POC]: http://i.imgur.com/N3mAq6B.gif

[SO firewall]: https://stackoverflow.com/a/4176877/1366033

[MS Remote Debugging]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bt727f1t(v=vs.100).aspx
[MS firewall guide]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee126350(v=vs.100).aspx

[Remote IIS Debugging Article]: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/38132/Remote-IIS-Debugging-Debug-your-ASP-NET-Applicatio

[pdb 1]: http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/programming-life/debugging-net-applications-stopping-the-breakpoint-will-not-currently-be-hit-message-26262
[pdb 2]: https://stackoverflow.com/q/2155930/1366033

Just wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction here?

I'm trying to debug a *deployed* web application and can't seem to get the attach to work.
Here's the scenario:

VS2010 installed on my machine - with all source code.

IE8 on my machine browsing to ASP.NET site on production IIS server (FWIW .pdb files on production site.)

When I attach the debugger to the IE session, and continue browsing the site, no breakpoint is ever hit... so effectivly I don't think I'm really debugging the site!??

I'm guessing that I need some kind of remote debugging set up? If that's the case, if anyone knows of any URL to help that would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Jim


Debug ASP.NET application running on remote IIS Server from VS2010

Here are a couple solutions. Number two is much better as it doesn't require needlessly duplicating your assemblies.

### Solution 1 (okay)

As added to the question itself and described in the post [Visual Studio 2010 Report Viewer - Object Datasource][1], just create a separate library for the project and add the rdlc file there. This appears to be a bug with the MVC Web Application project type itself so any other project type (like a Class Library) should work. The data source configuration wizard should now look like this:

![data source configuration wizard][3]

### Solution 2 (better)

As figured out in [Can't see or add Website Data Sources in RDLC report in ASP.NET MVC][2], you can just add an **.aspx** page anywhere to the MVC project in order to trick Visual Studio into pulling in the right design time libraries. 

Just do the following:

* Close all windows
* Clean & Rebuild Solution
* Add WebForm1.aspx to the Project
* Open up the RDLC file and choose a DataSource from the dropdown:

 ![DataSource Dropdown][4]


[1]: http://wraithnath.blogspot.com/2011/02/visual-studio-2010-report-viewer-object.html
[2]: https://stackoverflow.com/q/2923569/1366033
[3]: http://i.imgur.com/n44iRKu.png
[4]: http://i.imgur.com/qGkHTNu.png

I've created more projects using ReportViewer 2005 and 2008 in local processing mode than I can count on my hands. All Visual Studio 2005 or 2008 ASP.NET web forms projects. I always used some flavor of Object data source for the reports.

Tonight, I attempted to add the same functionality to a Visual Studio 2010 MVC 2 project and am failing miserably. First, the Add New Item > Reporting > Report is now a 2008 RDLC and not a 2005 RDLC report. Secondly, when trying to add a DataSet, my usual method of create a data proxy class with static methods that return `IEnumerables(Of Stuff)` will not show up as sources in the DataSources drop down

![Empty Data Source][1]

Thirdly, my *only* option is to add a Database connection. There is no "Object Data Source" to pick from:

![Database connections only][2]

I'm stumped. Like I kind of alluded to, I have no problems whatsoever actually rendering a report using the ReportViewer control. What I can't do is figure out how set up a Data Source in these new-fangled 2008 reports with Visual Studio 2010 so that I can pump a list of domain objects into the ReportViewer and display the report.

**UPDATE**

With some more research, I've found that MVC projects do not allow object data sources to be used within them. One solution for my issue is to create a separate project in the solution -- a web application, a service, or even just a class library, to add the report to and design it accordingly.

I'm still looking for alternatives here.

  [1]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/0fLnN.png
  [2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/7cptm.png

Visual Studio 2010 Local SSRS Report (.rdlc) with Object Data Source

There are several places the Visual Studio might store a template.  Deleting the `.zip` file from any of the locations below should remove it from the list:

> * `%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0\Extensions`
> * `%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\10.0\    -> ProjectTemplatesCache_{xx}`
> * `%UserProfile%\My Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Templates`

If the Template was installed via an extension, you can clear it out from the top directory above, or you can follow the [official instructions][removeTemplate]:

> `Tools` -> `Extension Manager` -> `Installed Extensions` -> `Templates` -> `YourTemplate` -> `[Uninstall|Disable]`

[removeTemplate]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/dd293639(v=vs.100).aspx

I have an item template that I did wrong and want to delete. I deleted the zip file from the output location and ran devenv /installvstemplates and devenv /setup and when I opened VS and tried to add a new item it was still there. stranger still, I can still use it and create copies of the file, so it must exist somewhere. Is there somewhere that visual studio stores the files after being installed that I need to delete? I also cant change the template, it stays the same no matter what I do.

Edit: If it makes a difference I am using XNA GS 4.0

How to remove/uninstall item templates in Visual Studio 2010

### This is now natively supported in ***Visual Studio 2019***

[![VS Code Search][4]][1]


### Search w/ Expressions in VS 2022

You can sort of search by expressions by pinning the property you're looking for (search property name to find it), and then select "Show Pinned Member Names in Values".  Then you can search for a match in the value `prop_name = value`

[![Search Expression][3]][3]

### Further Reading

* [Searching for objects and properties in the Watch, Autos, and Locals Window][1] by 
[Leslie Richardson][2]
* [Debugging > Inspect variables in the Autos and Locals windows > Search in the Autos or Locals window][5]


  [1]: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/enhanced-in-visual-studio-2019-search-for-objects-and-properties-in-the-watch-autos-and-locals-windows/
  [2]: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/author/lerich/
  [3]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/mlNpA.png
  [4]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/Rea6K.gif
  [5]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/debugger/autos-and-locals-windows?view=vs-2022#search-in-the-autos-or-locals-window

I'm debugging c# in visual studio

I added an object to the `watch window` 

Given some value, 
is there any way to search which field holds this value?



searching a value in watch window

Like @Krishnadditya mentioned, Collections aren't ideal for sorting because they contain items of type `Object` which is too genereic to be useful in comparing against each other. If you weren't married to a collection, you can do this with a LINQ query to a list or anything that can be cast an enumerable



 Dim list = {
 New With {.Object = "b", .Key = "b1"},
 New With {.Object = "a", .Key = "a1"},
 New With {.Object = "d", .Key = "d1"}}

 Dim sortedList = _
 From item In list
 Order By item.Key

How do I sort collection items by value in VB.NET?

I want to sort this:

    Dim col as Collection = New Collection
    col.Add("b","b1")
    col.Add("a","a1")
    col.Add("d","d1")

VB.net, How to sort collection items by value

Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 finally added a built-in way to do this with [`ProjectTemplateLink`](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171398.aspx)

The `CopyParameters` attribute will enable child access to all the variables of the parent template, with the prefix of `ext_`.

You don't even need CustomParameters for this. Change your ProjectTemplateLink to this:



 <ProjectTemplateLink ProjectName="$safeprojectname$.Interface" CopyParameters="true">
 Interface\InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
 </ProjectTemplateLink>

And then you can achieve your goal in the child `.csproj` like so:



 <ItemGroup>
 <ProjectReference Include="..\$ext_safeprojectname$.Business\$ext_safeprojectname$.Business.csproj">
 <Project>{E5511F75-5B9C-4816-B991-E09225661CF4}</Project>
 <Name>MyTemplate.Business</Name>
 </ProjectReference>
 </ItemGroup>

I would like to be able to create a [Multi-Project Template][MultiProject] for a solution which contains the following two projects (*where the interface should include a reference to the business layer*).:

* `<proj_name>.interface`
* `<proj_name>.business`. 

Normally, you can include [`$safeprojectname$`][$safeprojectname$], which has:

>The name provided by the user in the New Project dialog box

However, as pointed out in the article [Build a multi-project visual studio template][article]

> The problem here is that within each child template, *$safeprojectname$* represents the current project name. There needs to be a way to pass in the root *$safeprojectname$* from the parent template.

I'm trying to implement the solution suggested in this SO question [VS 2010 Multi-Project Template: Inter-Project References][CustomParamtersAnswer], by using [`CustomParameters`][CustomParamters], but am running into trouble.

**My Zipped Up Template Directory looks like this:**

* MultiTemplate.vstemplate
* Interface
 * InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
 * MyTemplate.Interface.csproj
* Business
 * BusinessTemplate.vstemplate
 * MyTemplate.Business.csproj

You can download the [Entire Directory][zip], but here are some select snippets

**MultiTemplate.vstemplate**



 <VSTemplate Version="3.0.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/vstemplate/2005" Type="ProjectGroup">
 <TemplateData></TemplateData>
 <TemplateContent>
 <CustomParameters>
 <CustomParameter Name="$SolutionName$" Value="$safeprojectname$"/>
 </CustomParameters>
 <ProjectCollection>
 <ProjectTemplateLink ProjectName="$safeprojectname$.Interface">
 Interface\InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
 </ProjectTemplateLink>
 <ProjectTemplateLink ProjectName="$safeprojectname$.Business">
 Business\BusinessTemplate.vstemplate
 </ProjectTemplateLink>
 </ProjectCollection>
 </TemplateContent>
 </VSTemplate>

**Interface\InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate**



 <VSTemplate Version="3.0.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/vstemplate/2005" Type="Project">
 <TemplateData></TemplateData>
 <TemplateContent>
 <Project TargetFileName="MyTemplate.Interface.csproj" 
 File="MyTemplate.Interface.csproj"
 ReplaceParameters="true">
 </Project>
 </TemplateContent>
 </VSTemplate>

**MyTemplate.Interface.csproj**



 <ItemGroup>
 <ProjectReference Include="..\$SolutionName$.Business\$SolutionName$.Business.csproj">
 <Project>{E5511F75-5B9C-4816-B991-E09225661CF4}</Project>
 <Name>MyTemplate.Business</Name>
 </ProjectReference>
 </ItemGroup>


The Problem
=====

When I create a new project, the `$SolutionName$` portion of the string does not get replaced. Instead it just stays the same.

**Q**: *How can I properly pass this information from the Multi-Project Template to each of the child templates?*

Bonus points if you can figure out how to replace the `<name>` tag value, as token replacements don't seem to work on it.

[MultiProject]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms185308(v=vs.100).aspx
[$safeprojectname$]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms185311(v=vs.100).aspx

[article]: http://blog.tonysneed.com/2011/09/14/build-a-multi-project-visual-studio-template/
[CustomParamtersAnswer]: https://stackoverflow.com/a/12929020/1366033
[CustomParamters]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms247063.aspx
[zip]: http://sdrv.ms/1coSCaj

Using CustomParameter with Visual Studio Multi-Project Template

Often when starting a method, I haven't yet used a variable so Resharper quickly gives the warning:

> Local variable 'xxx' is never used

However, this frustratingly blocks the information on type declaration I might need from Visual Studio.

Even when I manually invoke the *Quick Info* tooltip with <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>I</kbd> 
![Quick Info](http://i.imgur.com/4yMy6je.png)

It still masks out the info:

![Hidden](http://i.imgur.com/FS3UQRe.png)

As a workaround, I've just begun immediately using the variable so the popup goes away:

![WorkAround](http://i.imgur.com/ZXHdfNQ.png)

But there has to be something better. Is there some type of integration where I can see both?

Resharper warning hides quick info

### The Problem:

In short, the problem occurs when the `MSDataSetGenerator` tool runs, but the `System.Data.DataSetExtensions` assembly has not yet been loaded into the current Visual Studio process. 

### The Solution: 

One way to load the assembly is just to open any XSD file and *THEN* re-generate the designer code.

The following steps should generate the appropriate designer file:

1. Open any XSD file to the designer view (this loads `DataSetExtensions.dll`)
2. Right Click on the XSD and Select `Run Custom Tool`

**Here's a full [step by step walkthrough with pictures of the issue and solution][walkthrough]**

### Other Instances:

This problem has been reported to Microsoft in the following bug tickets:

* [#668724 - MSDataSetGenerator generates incorrect output sometimes][MS 668724]
* [#733077 - MSDataSetGenerator does not generate TypedTableBase<T> derived classes][MS 733077]

It is also addressed in the SO Question: 

* [Typed Dataset not using TypedTableBase in .NET 4][SO Question]

[MS 668724]: http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/668724/
[MS 733077]: http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/733077/
[SO Question]: https://stackoverflow.com/a/5172739/1366033

[walkthrough]: http://imgur.com/a/H9nwo

I have an XML Schema Definition (XSD) file in Visual Studio 2010. The DataSet Designer should [generate a strongly typed dataset][2] in the <code>&lt;name&gt;.designer.vb</code> file

Depending on a number of errant factors, it seems to sporadically provide strong typing for enumerable operations (used in LINQ or for each loops)

For instance, sometimes the generated code base is able to detect the type, and sometimes it's not:

[![Screenshot Code Examples][1]][1]

The offending code seems to be whether or not the generated file has the function:



 Public Overridable Function GetEnumerator() As IEnumerator Implements IEnumerable.GetEnumerator
 Return Me.Rows.GetEnumerator
 End Function

If it does, then calling the enumerator for the function will return a boring `object`. 
If it doesn't, then the enumerator will return the appropriate type.

## My Question:

### How can I get it to consistently generate the appropriate behavior?

Our source code doesn't contain generated code, so each developer needs to generate it for themselves. This results in some machines getting compiler errors with improper typing, while others don't... with *the same exact source code*.

Some things that appear to having something to do with it:

* Assembly version targeted to .NET 4.0 VS .NET 4.0 Client
* Whether or not the XSD, designer, or usage files are open during generation
* Others?

### Possible Workarounds:

* Include strong typing / casting with all declarations
* Include properly generated file in source control


[1]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/N91Xh.png
[2]: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/data-tools/create-and-configure-datasets-in-visual-studio

Data Row Type detection when using XSD generated DataSets

1. Open up **`Local.testsettings`** in your Solution Explorer > Solution Items 
 ![local.testSettings](http://i.imgur.com/UNxWOIz.png)

2. Go to Deployment and make sure **`Enabled Deployment`** is checked 
 (it's unchecked by default) 
 ![Enabled Deployment](http://i.imgur.com/VtfoiwF.png)

In Visual Studio 2010 when I create the default test project with the following bare bones code:



 <TestClass()>
 Public Class UnitTest1
 
 <TestMethod()>
 Public Sub TestMethod1()

 Assert.AreEqual(1, 1)
 
 End Sub
 
 End Class

I get the following error:

> Unit Test Adapter threw exception: 
URI formats are not supported.. 
-- Exception doesn't have a stack trace -- 

![screenshot](http://i.imgur.com/koK2Uds.png)

Unit Test Adapter threw exception: URI formats are not supported

Here are a couple solutions, but I prefer the second one.

### Solution 1 (okay)

As this appears to be a bug with the MVC Web Application project type itself, you can add the report to a different project type (like Class Library). As described in the post [Visual Studio 2010 Report Viewer - Object Datasource][1], just create a separate library for the project and add the rdlc file there. The data source configuration wizard should now look like this:

![data source configuration wizard][3]

### Solution 2 (better)

As figured out in [Can't see or add Website Data Sources in RDLC report in ASP.NET MVC][2], you can just add an **aspx** page anywhere to the MVC project to trick Visual Studio into pulling in the right design time libraries. 

Just do the following:

* Close all windows
* Clean & Rebuild Solution
* Add WebForm1.aspx to the Project
* Open up the RDLC file and choose a DataSource from the dropdown:

 ![DataSource Dropdown][4]


[1]: http://wraithnath.blogspot.com/2011/02/visual-studio-2010-report-viewer-object.html
[2]: https://stackoverflow.com/q/2923569/1366033
[3]: http://i.imgur.com/n44iRKu.png
[4]: http://i.imgur.com/qGkHTNu.png

I have a MVC4 application in Visual Studio 2010 which contains plenty of classes. I'm trying to use them to pass in as the DataSource for a Report Definition Language Client ([RDLC][1]) file. But I can't access the classes from my assembly anywhere in the data source designer

According to the MSDN Walkthrough on [Using a Business Object Data Source with the ReportViewer Web Server Control in Local Processing Mode][2], I should be able to do so in the Dataset Properties page

> In the **Dataset Properties** page, in the **Data source** box, select **global**.

According to this Stackoverflow question on [How to use an Object data source in report (.rdlc)][3], when in Dataset Properties page, I should be able to create a new data source like this:

>**Creating a New Data source**: 

>* Select **Object** and click Next.
* Browse the solution tree and select the class(es) you want to bind to.
* Click Finish.

**But neither of these present as options...**

When I create a new dataset, nothing shows up under Data Source:

![DataSet Properties][4]

When I click New to create a New DataSource, I just get a connection Wizard that forces me to connect to a database:

![Data Source Configuration Wizard][5]

**Where can I add classes from my assembly?**

As a trivial example, here's an example of an object I have built into the assembly that I would expect to show up:



 Public Class Employee
 Public Property Name As String
 Public Property ID As Integer
 End Class

I would eventually like to populate this information programmatically like this:



 Dim lr As New LocalReport
 lr.ReportPath = Server.MapPath("~\Reports\Report1.rdlc")
 lr.DataSources.Add(New ReportDataSource("Data", New Employee("Kyle",27)))


[1]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms252067.aspx
[2]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms251692(v=vs.100).aspx
[3]: https://stackoverflow.com/q/3717517/1366033
[4]: http://i.imgur.com/wJgW17y.png
[5]: http://i.imgur.com/AP58Hmx.png

Using .NET Class as the DataSource with SSRS RDLC

You might need to actually put the breakpoint inside the method, as you're saying "break before this line is executed". On function declaration, how do you break before that line? 



 Protected Sub Page_Load(sender As Object, e as System.EventArgs)

 ' Some Page load task - try setting your break point here.

 End Sub

I'm working on a [Web **Site** Project][1] as opposed to a Web **Application** Project. As such, there is no project file to build and produce a `.dll` library file or `.pdb` debugger symbols file.

Right out of the box, if I create a brand new web site project, try to set a breakpoint anywhere, and run with the debugger on, I get the following message:

>The breakpoint will not currently be hit. No symbols have been loaded for this document.

![Screenshot][2]

I must be overlooking something simple, because there must be a way to debug an ASP.NET Web Site. Right?

**Steps to reproduce**:

1. Open Visual Studio (confirmed in 2010 and 2008)
2. Create New Web Site Project
3. Select ASP.NET Web Site
4. Add a Load Event handler to Default.aspx.vb
5. Run with Debugger <kbd>F5</kbd>
6. This will prompt you to have `<compilation debug="true" />` in your web.config if you don't already, select yes.
7. Debugger symbols will not be loaded for the page because it is compiled on the fly

[1]: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd547590(v=vs.110).aspx
[2]: http://i.imgur.com/RUSBjx4.png

Set breakpoints in an ASP.NET Web Site Project

[Pinnable Properties][1] in VS2019+ are a way to go currently, since you can pin your properties in correct order using the [![pin][2]][2] button inside the datatip.

However, in a more general, reusable approach, the `[DebuggerBrowsable(DebuggerBrowsableState.RootHidden)]` attribute can be used on an array of ordered property name and value pairs. This enables the debug view to 'flatten' the array root, listing the properties in correct order.

Further expanding on [KyleMit's answer][3], and using reflection to load the list of members and fields, makes such a debug view reusable:

    [DebuggerDisplay("{Name}")]
    [DebuggerTypeProxy(typeof(OrderedPropertiesView))]
    public class Rule
    {
        public string Name;
        public int MaxAge;
        public DateTime StartDate;
        public DateTime EndDate;        
    }

    public class OrderedPropertiesView
    {
        [DebuggerBrowsable(DebuggerBrowsableState.RootHidden)]
        public SimpleProperty[] Properties { get; }

        public OrderedPropertiesView(object input)
        {
            this.Properties = input.GetType()
                .GetFields(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance)
                .Select(prop => new SimpleProperty(prop, input))
                .ToArray();
        }

        [DebuggerDisplay("{Value}", Name = "{PropertyName,nq}")]
        public class SimpleProperty
        {
            public SimpleProperty(MemberInfo member, object input)
            {
                this.Value = GetValue(member, input);
                this.PropertyName = member.Name;
            }

            private object GetValue(MemberInfo member, object input)
            {
                switch (member)
                {
                    case FieldInfo fi: return fi.GetValue(input);
                    case PropertyInfo pi: return pi.GetValue(input);
                    default: return null;
                }
            }

            public object Value { get; internal set; }
            public string PropertyName { get; internal set; }
        }
    }

Which looks like this in the debugger:

[![datatip with ordered 'properties'][4]][4]

The order of properties and fields might not be guaranteed with reflection, but since the view is only for debugging purposes, it should be enough. If not, `Properties` array can be constructed manually, limiting the reusability. In either case, `Properties` are not really properties, therefore expanding the `SimpleProperty` datatip looks like this:

[![expanded datatip showing PropertyName and Value properties of SimpleProperty][5]][5]

Notice that the property inspector [![magnifyng glass][6]][6] can only be used in the expanded `SimpleProperty.Value`, which might be an inconvenience.


  [1]: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/pinnable-properties-debug-display-managed-objects-your-way/
  [2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/SRQVz.png
  [3]: https://stackoverflow.com/a/28506057/1945988
  [4]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/1JSUa.png
  [5]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/WcMP6.png
  [6]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/u2Urb.png

In Visual Studio, is it possible to customize the order in which properties are displayed when inspected in the debugger?

Here's an example of a class where I'd really like StartDate and EndDate to appear next to each other, even though they are separated alphabetically .

![example][1]


Other debugger options are customizable through attributes like the [`DebuggerDisplayAttribute`][2], so I was hopeful that another such attribute would exist for DisplayOrder.




 [DebuggerDisplay("{Name}")]
 public class Rule
 {
 public string Name;
 public int MaxAge;
 public DateTime StartDate;
 public DateTime EndDate;
 }




In an *ideal world*, I'd like the ability to order the properties in the inspector in the order that I have defined on the class (even if that requires setting an debugger order attribute incrementally on each property) so the display would look like this:

![ideal debugger][3]


[1]: http://i.imgur.com/srpTyOf.png
[2]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.diagnostics.debuggerdisplayattribute.aspx
[3]: http://i.imgur.com/zzm2hm0.png