LowlandTech.TinyTools 2026.5.31

• .NETStandard 2.1

  • Ardalis.GuardClauses (>= 5.0.0)
  • Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions (>= 10.0.8)
  • Moq (>= 4.20.72)
  • System.Text.Json (>= 10.0.8)

• net10.0

  • Ardalis.GuardClauses (>= 5.0.0)
  • Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions (>= 10.0.8)
  • Moq (>= 4.20.72)

• net8.0

  • Ardalis.GuardClauses (>= 5.0.0)
  • Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions (>= 10.0.8)
  • Moq (>= 4.20.72)

• net9.0

  • Ardalis.GuardClauses (>= 5.0.0)
  • Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions (>= 10.0.8)
  • Moq (>= 4.20.72)

# 2026.5.31
## Variable Syntax Update
### Breaking Changes
* Variable interpolation syntax changed from `{var}` to `${var}`
- Applies to simple interpolation tokens in templates and strings
- Aligns basic interpolation syntax with the engine's `${...}` expression model
- Reduces ambiguity between literal braces and interpolation tokens
### Migration Guide
**Before:**
```csharp
var template = "Hello {FirstName} {LastName}!";
```
**After:**
```csharp
var template = "Hello ${FirstName} ${LastName}!";
```
If you are using `ToolContext` or engine expressions, continue using `${Context.Name}` and `${...}` syntax consistently.
---
# 2026.1.3
## ITemplate System - Self-Validating Code Generation Templates
### New Features
* **ITemplate Interface** - Template-first approach to code generation
- Self-validating templates with embedded test cases
- Each template carries its own `TestDataJson` and `ExpectedContent`
- Automatic validation via `Validate()` and `ValidateDetailed()` methods
- Type-safe with `DataType` property for compile-time safety
* **TemplateBase Abstract Class** - Base implementation for templates
- Handles data serialization/normalization automatically
- Template rendering via `TinyTemplateEngine`
- Detailed validation with diff reporting
- Cross-platform line ending normalization
* **TemplateRegistry** - Centralized template management
- `Register()` / `Get()` for manual template registration
- `DiscoverFromAssembly()` - Auto-discover templates via reflection
- `DiscoverFromCallingAssembly()` - Discover from calling code
- `RenderBatch()` - Render multiple templates in one call
- `ValidateAll()` - Validate all registered templates at once
* **TemplateResult Record** - Rich rendering output
- `Content` - The rendered template content
- `Path` - Dynamic output path (supports variable interpolation)
- `Namespace` - Generated namespace
- `Metadata` - Optional key-value metadata dictionary
* **TinyTemplateEngine Enhancements**
- Logical AND operator (`&&`) in conditions
- Logical OR operator (`||`) in conditions
- Ternary expressions: `${Context.Active ? 'Yes' : 'No'}`
- Short-circuit evaluation for logical operators
- Parenthesized logical expressions
### Documentation
* New `Self-Validating-Templates.md` comprehensive guide
* Updated `ITemplate-QuickRef.md` with new syntax features
* New ITemplate page on documentation website (`/itemplate`)
* Template syntax reference cards
### Testing
* **Test count: 577 ? 633 tests (+56)**
* Fixed skipped test `ItShouldInterpolateFileExtension`
* `RenderBatch()` method tests (18 tests)
* `DiscoverFromAssembly()` method tests (21 tests)
* `ValidateAll()` edge case tests (10 tests)
* Null deserialization handling tests (3 tests)
* Exception handling in validation tests (4 tests)
### Infrastructure
* NCrunch configuration to exclude site folder
* VS Code launch configuration for site development
* Tasks configuration for npm dev server
### Examples
* `ComponentTemplate` - React component generator
* `CSharpClassTemplate` - C# class with properties/methods generator
---
# 2026.1.1
## Major Release - Template Services & Architecture Improvements
### New Features
* **Template Services Architecture** - Extensible service registration system
- Simple function-based services with string keys
- Syntax: `${Context.Services('serviceName')(input)}`
- Support for both string literals and variable references
- IoC-friendly design
* **Enhanced Variable Resolver**
- Method call support with string arguments
- Chained function calls (e.g., `Services('pluralize')('word')`)
- Direct delegate invocation
- Variable reference support in method calls
### Documentation
* Added comprehensive "Why TinyTemplateEngine?" section
* Template Services examples with Humanizer and NCalc
* Real-world usage examples (invoice generation, etc.)
* Sample implementations and best practices
### Architecture
* Introduced `ITemplateService` marker interface
* Added `TemplateServiceFunc` delegate type
* Context service inheritance to child contexts
* Error handling with clear "{service} not registered" messages
### Testing
* **Comprehensive test coverage expansion** - 1,100 ? 1,293 tests (+193)
* Complete test suite for template services
* Multi-language pluralization tests
* Calculator service tests
* Integration tests with real-world scenarios
* **TemplateHelpers test coverage:**
- `PadLeft` / `PadRight` helper tests
- `Round` (decimal/float), `Default`, `IfEmpty` tests
- `Floor`, `Ceiling`, `Count`, `First`, `Last`, `Reverse` tests
- `Format` helper tests (DateTime, DateTimeOffset, DateOnly, TimeOnly, IFormattable)
- `Register` custom helper tests
- `YesNo` and `IsEmpty` conditional helper tests
* **TinyTemplateEngine test coverage:**
- Negation operator tests (`!Context.Value`)
- Comparison operator edge cases
- `IsTruthy` method branch coverage
- `Compare` and `AreEqual` method tests
* **InterpolationExtensions test coverage:**
- `InterpolateWithEngine<T>` tests
- `Interpolate(ToolContext)` tests
- `Interpolate(List<string>, ToolContext)` tests
### Bug Fixes
* **Fixed delegate property resolution in VariableResolver** - `ToolContext.Get()` method was not being invoked for delegate properties, causing template services to fail silently
### Infrastructure
* Upgraded to .NET 8, 9, and 10 multi-targeting
* Modern GitHub Actions CI/CD workflows
* Cross-platform testing (Ubuntu, Windows, macOS)
* Code coverage integration
* Source Link support for better debugging
* Professional NuGet package metadata
### Dependencies
* Tests now include Humanizer.Core (2.14.1) for examples
* Tests now include NCalc (1.0.0) for calculator examples
* Added Microsoft.SourceLink.GitHub for source debugging
### Breaking Changes
* Removed built-in `pluralize` and `singularize` helpers from core
- Now available via Template Services pattern
- Keeps core library minimal and focused
### Migration Guide
**Before (2.0.x):**
```csharp
// Built-in helpers (removed)
var template = "${Context.EntityName | pluralize}";
```
**After (2026.1.1):**
```csharp
// Register as a service
context.RegisterService("pluralize", input => input?.ToString()?.Pluralize());
var template = "${Context.Services('pluralize')(Context.EntityName)}";
```
# 2.0.2
* add debug verification
# 2.0.1
* fix tests
# 2.0.0
* upgrade to .net 7
* upgrade dependencies
* remove support for legacy framework
* move from gitlab to github
# 1.6.1
* fix path bug
* add support for files and collection of templates
# 1.0.5
* make methods testharness virtual
* change namespaces for the unittests
# 1.0.4
* changed namespaces
* add test harness
* replace shouldy with fluentassertions
# 1.0.3
* add push for github
* add release notes
* add license
* remove csproj backup file
* fix bug in test
# 1.0.2:
* rearrange repository layout
* added ci
# 1.0.1
* added some more tests
# 1.0.0
* created interpolation extension for strings