The Microsoft patterns & practices group has produced the Composite Application UI Block (CAB). The CAB helps developers create complex WinForms applications and includes sections to decouple the user interface via dependency injection. This documentation assume that you are familiar with the basics of the CAB.

The DevLynx CAB ShellApp extends the CAB by using the Developer Express WinForms components and the CABDevExpress.ExtensionKit to provide a rich user experience. You must have DXperience Enterprise to use the DevLynx ShellApp. The ShellApp extends the CAB with these features:

• Multiple product support - Designed to handle multiple products without recompiling the shell.
• User Selectable Ux Paradigm - Displays either the Office 2007 Ribbon control or the menu/toolbar Ux paradigm without additional coding.
• Product Information - the product information service provides company and product specific information for use within the application.
• Generic configuration management - Configuration management simplifies the storage of user data. Does not use the registry. (Located in the DevLynx.Utilities solution.)
• Data access - Shared data sessions and connection string functionality to simplify data access. Uses Developer Express eXpress Persistent Objects (XPO).
• Command Images - Ensure that all products use the same images for common commands (button and menu images).
• Command Overlays - provides a way to overlay a small image onto a base command image (such as a "+" to signify add). Overlays mean fewer custom images will have to be produced and that images remain consistent throughout product lines.
• Command Line argument support - provides methods to access and manage command line arguments.