Analyze MEF Assemblies from the Command Line

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In MEF Preview 6 we shipped a sample assembly called Microsoft.ComponentModel.Composition.Diagnostics, demonstrating the kinds of things that can be determined by (semi-) statically analyzing MEF catalogs.

With Preview 7 we added a utility that makes use of the diagnostics routines to print information about parts directly from the command-line.

C:\Users\...\CompositionDiagnostics> mefx /?

  /?

      Print usage.

  /causes

      List root causes - parts with errors not related to the rejection of other parts.

  /dir:C:\MyApp\Parts

      Specify directories to search for parts.

  /exporters:MyContract

      List exporters of the given contract.

  /exports

      Find exported contracts.

  /file:MyParts.dll

      Specify assemblies to search for parts.

  /importers:MyContract

      List importers of the given contract.

  /imports

      Find imported contracts.

  /parts

      List all parts found in the source assemblies.

  /rejected

      List all rejected parts.

  /type:MyNamespace.MyType

      Print details of the given part type.

  /verbose

      Print verbose information on each part.

The /parts switch list all parts in a composition:

C:\Users\...\CompositionDiagnostics> mefx /dir:..\MefStudio /parts

Designers.CSharp.Commands

Designers.BasicComponentFactory

Designers.CSharpFormFactory

...

While the /rejected and /causes switches will print information about rejected parts and suspected root causes respectively.

By specifying the /verbose switch, detailed information about parts can be retrieved:

C:\Users\...\CompositionDiagnostics> mefx /dir:..\MefStudio /type:Designers.BasicComponentFactory /verbose

[Part] Designers.BasicComponentFactory from: DirectoryCatalog (Path="..\MefStudio")

  [Export] Designers.BasicComponentFactory (ContractName="Contracts.HostSurfaceFactory")

  [Import] Contracts.HostSurfaceFactory.propertyGrid (ContractName="Contracts.IPropertyGrid")

    [Actual] ToolWindows.PropertyGridWindow (ContractName="Contracts.IPropertyGrid") from: ToolWindows.PropertyGridWindow from: DirectoryCatalog (Path="..\MefStudio")

  [Import] Contracts.HostSurfaceFactory.Commands (ContractName="System.Void(Contracts.HostSurface)")

    [Actual] Designers.CSharp.Commands.Cut (ContractName="System.Void(Contracts.HostSurface)") from: Designers.CSharp.Commands from: DirectoryCatalog (Path="..\MefStudio")

    [Actual] Designers.CSharp.Commands.Copy (ContractName="System.Void(Contracts.HostSurface)") from: Designers.CSharp.Commands from: DirectoryCatalog (Path="..\MefStudio")

    [Actual] Designers.CSharp.Commands.Paste (ContractName="System.Void(Contracts.HostSurface)") from: Designers.CSharp.Commands from: DirectoryCatalog (Path="..\MefStudio")

There are a few more goodies in there for the curious.

It is important to realise that the utility can only analyze MEF assemblies built against a compatible version of MEF; for example, mefx.exe built against the CodePlex drops will not be able to analyze assemblies built against the signed .NET Framework version of MEF, and vice-versa.

We call these “samples” right because they’re for the purpose of our own exploration. Some experience with applying these techniques will hopefully lead to some great production-quality tools in a future milestone.

One particular direction I’d like to venture is towards tooling suitable for continuous integration (CI), for example, a build task capable of validating component status.

If you have ideas for improvement or an opportunity to try mefx, we’d love to hear from you.