Key features
Easy to get started
Going from no code to a working domain model is a 10 minute job with LightSpeed. Drag and drop domain objects, view the getting started guidence and then you're ready to go. Watch the screencast.
Rich domain model framework
Model objects inherit off LightSpeed Entity class, which implements important .NET model object interfaces: IEditableObject, INotifyPropertyChanged, and IDataErrorInfo. These interfaces make databinding and validation work seamlessly with many .NET technologies such as WPF, WinForms, ASP.NET and ASP.NET MVC binding.
Migrations
Never write time consuming SQL schema migration's again - LightSpeed's designer can automatically manage your schema changes so that you can more easily deploy changes and focus on project delivery!
Mono support
Want to develop at LightSpeed against the Mono framework? Now you can - LightSpeed has full support for the open source, multi-platform version of the .NET Framework, Mono!
Convention over configuration
LightSpeed uses conventions that mandate how particular aspects of your domain model should look. Being prescriptive in this way allows you to focus on the business problems at hand, freeing you from a large number of infrastructural concerns.
LINQ Provider
LightSpeed includes a rich and high performance LINQ implementation enabling developers to either query using LINQ operators or the traditional LightSpeed querying API.
Visual Studio designer integration
LightSpeed includes a rich design surface that is integrated directly into Visual Studio 2008, 2010 and 2012. Click here to read about all the features specific to the LightSpeed Designer.
Domain-driven
LightSpeed uses concepts and patterns such as Entities, Value Objects, Unit of Work, Repository, Specification and Aggregates.
Small & fast
LightSpeed is designed to be fast and efficient. The small assembly size makes it ideal for applications deployed over the internet or on resource bound devices. LightSpeed performance is a key focus of our development team.
Easy to use
The API has been designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible.
Rich validation
Validation rules apply at the entity level meaning each entity exposes a bindable errors collection. LightSpeed's built in validation framework makes it easy for you to apply validation rules, create your own rules and create custom validation overrides. Validation integrates directly into the IDataErrorInfo implementation and ensures invalid objects do not get persisted.
Eager & lazy loading
No N+1 problem. Includes "named aggregates." That is, giving a name to particular eager load graph.
Efficient & safe data access
Uses efficient batching strategies and query optimization. Generated database commands are prepared using bound parameters improving performance and protecting against injection vulnerabilities.
Multiple database engine support
LightSpeed supports SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012, SQL Server CE, Oracle 9+, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, VistaDB 4, Windows Azure Table Storage and Amazon SimpleDB
Optimistic concurrency
Using row-level versioning or by enabling partial updates.
Generics & nullable types
LightSpeed fully supports generic and nullable types.
System.Transactions support
Where supported by the .NET database provider.
State tracking & change notification
Automatically tracking whether an entity is new, has been modified or is a pending delete. Raises events when entity state changes. This is useful if using MVC/Observer patterns.
Commercially supported
Subscriptions provide you with priority support from Mindscape via email and through our online support forums. We pride ourselves on our awesome support!
Full text search engine
Leverage the power of Lucene.Net to get database independent, high performance full text querying using the familiar LightSpeed querying API.
Strong support for Views
Database views have always been supported by LightSpeed however now querying via a View is easier than ever. Even manage views with custom projections via the LightSpeed Designer. Watch the screencast.
ASP.NET Dynamic Data
ASP.NET Dynamic Data is a technology from Microsoft to quickly scaffold data access to your database. A dynamic data site can now leverage your LightSpeed domain model for data access, saving you more time.
Stored procedures
While LightSpeed powerful querying capabilities with LINQ and the LightSpeed Query API, sometimes a stored procedure is helpful. LightSpeed supports Stored Procedures on SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL and PostgreSQL. Including within the LightSpeed Visual designer. Watch the screencast.
Support for Distributed Scenarios
LightSpeed allows you to expose your data to the world, allowing you to mark up your entities to be used directly with WCF based services or in conjunction with Data Transfer Objects. And if you need strong client side connectivity with the convenience of LightSpeed's querying interface and UnitOfWork management you can use the new Distributed Unit of Work which supports remoting scenarios.
Connects with WCF RIA Services
WCF RIA Services is a technology from Microsoft that allows you to expose your entities for consuming through Silverlight. LightSpeed provides a native query provider which allows you to share your data with your Silverlight client applications using WCF RIA Services.