ABP no-layer module template

Introduction

In this article, you will learn how to create a no-layer module template for abp application.

Why create a no-layer module template?

In the abp framework, when you create a module, by default, it will create a layer module. But in some cases, you may not need to create a module without DDD. For example, you want to create a module that only contains a controller and a service. At this time, you can create a no-layer module.

I create lots of ABP application and modules for my work. I found that I often don't use all the features of the template and I have to delete some files and projects. So I started creating project with no-layer template. I found that it is very convenient to use. but If I want to create a no-layer module, I have to create it manually. So I created a no-layer module template.

Note: The no-layer module is not a recommended module type. It is recommended to use a layer module provided by the abp framework. This is just a experiment.

Primary Use Cases

Right now, the no-layer module template is only used for creating simple API's. If you have a module which only contains few api endpoints, you can use this template. the current focus is to support only the the no-layer template. but you can also use it in other cases if you want. because it is a just a normal ABP module.

Create a no-layer module template

Install the template

dotnet new -i Anto.Abp.Module.Template

Create a no-layer module

dotnet new abp-module -n MyModuleName

The above command will create a no-layer module named MyModuleName. make sure you create in the modules folder. If you want to create a no-layer module in another folder.

This command will only create the module. you have to manually add the module to the application.

Structure of the no-layer module

The main focus is simplicity. All the projects in the DDD layers are removed and replaced with folders in the single project. you can keep the things you use and delete the things you don't use.

Future plans

• Remove AutoMapper
• Remove Localization
• Add plopjs generator to generate API endpoints

Repo: https://github.com/antosubash/abp-module-template

Conclusion

This is just a experiment. I'm not using this in any production application. I started this because I felt like I was doing too many premature optimizations when I was creating a module. After creating few modules with abp add-module command, your solution will be filled with lots of projects and files and test projects. It increases build time and VS starts to lag. I'm hoping this will solve that problem. But I'm not sure about that. I'm still testing this. maybe I will use this in my next project. If you have any questions, please comment below.