Update the project to 'Microsoft.NET.Sdk' and use VS Code.

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+## Purpose
+
+This repository generates human-readable HTML documentation for Microsoft SQL Server databases (2005+).
+This file gives pragmatic, repo-specific guidance for an AI coding assistant to be productive quickly.
+
+## Quick Tasks
+
+- **Build:** run `dotnet build` at the repository root (solution file `SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator.sln`). VS2019/VS2022 can also be used for .NET Framework builds.
+- **Run Console Example:** edit `DocumentationGeneratorConsole/Program.cs` to change the connection string, then run the Console project; it writes `database.html` to the current directory.
+- **Run GUI:** `DocumentationGeneratorApplication` is a WinForms app (MainForm.cs). Launch from Visual Studio to use the interactive connection-string dialog.
+
+## Key Components (big picture)
+
+- **Entry projects:**
+  - `DocumentationGeneratorApplication/` — WinForms GUI, interactive connection string and save dialog (MainForm.cs, FrmConnectionString.cs).
+  - `DocumentationGeneratorConsole/` — small console runner (Program.cs), currently uses a hard-coded `connStr` and writes `database.html`.
+  - `SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator/` — core library: Document, Inspection, Model, Utility, and DesignIssue folders.
+
+- **Core flow:**
+  1. `DatabaseInspector` (in `Inspection/`) reads metadata from SQL Server (schemas, tables, views, columns, routines) into Model objects.
+  2. `DatabaseHtmlDocumentGenerator` (in `Document/`) converts `Model.Database` to an HTML document using an internal `HtmlTextWriter` fallback.
+  3. Output is an HTML file (Bootstrap CSS included inline).
+
+## Repo-specific patterns & conventions
+
+- Database object descriptions are pulled from the extended property named `MS_Description` (expect code to refer to this).
+- The `Document/DatabaseHtmlDocumentGenerator.cs` contains a self-contained fallback for `System.Web.UI.HtmlTextWriter` — careful when adding System.Web references or testing on environments without it.
+- Inspector classes follow the pattern `*Inspector.cs` (e.g., `TableInspector.cs`, `SchemaInspector.cs`) and populate POCOs in `Model/` — prefer working through the inspector methods to change how metadata is collected.
+
+## Important files to inspect/edit
+
+- `SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator/Document/DatabaseHtmlDocumentGenerator.cs` — main HTML generation; contains the app version and base CSS.
+- `SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator/Inspection/DatabaseInspector.cs` — orchestrates other inspectors and exposes `GetDatabaseMetaData()`.
+- `DocumentationGeneratorConsole/Program.cs` — minimal runnable example; useful for automation and CI.
+- `DocumentationGeneratorApplication/` — UI-specific code (WinForms): `MainForm.cs`, `FrmConnectionString.cs`.
+- `SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator.sln` and `.vscode/tasks.json` (task `build`) — canonical build targets.
+
+## Building, testing, and debugging notes
+
+- The solution targets .NET Framework 4.8 (Readme states 4.8, compatible with 4.5+). Use Visual Studio for WinForms debugging.
+- To build from terminal (cross-machine):
+
+```
+dotnet build "SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator.sln"
+```
+
+- The console project currently hardcodes a connection string — update `Program.cs` or add CLI arg parsing before running in non-dev environments.
+- Output HTML (example) is at `AdventureWorks-example.html` in the repo root — use it as a sample for layout and expected content.
+
+## Integration & external dependencies
+
+- Expects a reachable Microsoft SQL Server instance and valid connection string (Integrated or SQL auth).
+- Third-party code lives under `third-party/` (e.g., `BeTimvwFramework`); inspect those for license/compat issues.
+
+## Coding guidance for PRs
+
+- Preserve public model shapes in `Model/` where possible — many components (inspectors, document generator) rely on these POCOs.
+- When modifying HTML output, edit `DatabaseHtmlDocumentGenerator.cs`. There is an inline `baseCss` and bootstrap usage; search for `baseCss` in that file.
+- Avoid introducing a hard dependency on `System.Web` — the repo intentionally includes a lightweight fallback. If you add System.Web references, update project files and ensure builds still succeed on CI/targets.
+
+## Helpful searches/examples
+
+- To find metadata collection code: search for `GetDatabaseMetaData`, `DatabaseInspector`, or names under `Inspection/`.
+- To find where descriptions are read: search for `MS_Description` or `ExtendedProperty` string patterns.
+
+## If you need more
+
+If any part of the flow or environment is unclear (e.g., which project is used in a specific CI or how tests are run), tell me which area to expand and I will update this file with concrete commands and examples.

.vscode/launch.json

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{
+  "version": "0.2.0",
+  "configurations": [
+    {
+      "name": "Launch DocumentationGeneratorConsole (exe)",
+      "type": "coreclr",
+      "request": "launch",
+      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/DocumentationGeneratorConsole/bin/Debug/net40/DocumentationGeneratorConsole.exe",
+      "args": [],
+      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}/DocumentationGeneratorConsole",
+      "console": "internalConsole"
+    }
+  ]
+}

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{
+    "dotnet.preferCSharpExtension": true
+}

.vscode/tasks.json

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+	"version": "2.0.0",
+	"tasks": [
+		{
+			"label": "build",
+			"command": "dotnet",
+			"type": "process",
+			"args": [
+				"build",
+				"${workspaceFolder}",
+				"/property:GenerateFullPaths=true",
+				"/consoleLoggerParameters:NoSummary"
+			],
+			"problemMatcher": "$msCompile"
+		}
+	]
+}

DbDocGenerator/DbDocGenerator.csproj

@@ -1,58 +1,16 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<Project ToolsVersion="4.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props" Condition="Exists('$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props')" />
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
+
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <Configuration Condition=" '$(Configuration)' == '' ">Debug</Configuration>
-    <Platform Condition=" '$(Platform)' == '' ">AnyCPU</Platform>
-    <ProjectGuid>{77C675D0-B954-45F0-AAD8-E3880829EA02}</ProjectGuid>
+    <TargetFramework>net45</TargetFramework>
     <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
-    <AppDesignerFolder>Properties</AppDesignerFolder>
     <RootNamespace>DbDocGenerator</RootNamespace>
     <AssemblyName>DbDocGenerator</AssemblyName>
-    <TargetFrameworkVersion>v4.5</TargetFrameworkVersion>
-    <FileAlignment>512</FileAlignment>
+    <GenerateAssemblyInfo>false</GenerateAssemblyInfo>
   </PropertyGroup>
-  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU' ">
-    <PlatformTarget>AnyCPU</PlatformTarget>
-    <DebugSymbols>true</DebugSymbols>
-    <DebugType>full</DebugType>
-    <Optimize>false</Optimize>
-    <OutputPath>bin\Debug\</OutputPath>
-    <DefineConstants>DEBUG;TRACE</DefineConstants>
-    <ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>
-    <WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">
-    <PlatformTarget>AnyCPU</PlatformTarget>
-    <DebugType>pdbonly</DebugType>
-    <Optimize>true</Optimize>
-    <OutputPath>bin\Release\</OutputPath>
-    <DefineConstants>TRACE</DefineConstants>
-    <ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>
-    <WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-  <ItemGroup>
-    <Reference Include="System" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Core" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Xml.Linq" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Data.DataSetExtensions" />
-    <Reference Include="Microsoft.CSharp" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Data" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Xml" />
-  </ItemGroup>
-  <ItemGroup>
-    <Compile Include="Program.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs" />
-  </ItemGroup>
+
   <ItemGroup>
     <None Include="App.config" />
   </ItemGroup>
-  <Import Project="$(MSBuildToolsPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />
-  <!-- To modify your build process, add your task inside one of the targets below and uncomment it. 
-       Other similar extension points exist, see Microsoft.Common.targets.
-  <Target Name="BeforeBuild">
-  </Target>
-  <Target Name="AfterBuild">
-  </Target>
-  -->
+
 </Project>

DocumentationGeneratorApplication/DocumentationGeneratorApplication.csproj

@@ -1,123 +1,21 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<Project ToolsVersion="12.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <Import Project="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props" Condition="Exists('$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props')" />
+<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk.WindowsDesktop">
+
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <Configuration Condition=" '$(Configuration)' == '' ">Debug</Configuration>
-    <Platform Condition=" '$(Platform)' == '' ">AnyCPU</Platform>
-    <ProjectGuid>{5FF70C2D-FDE3-47F6-A95C-605C98CE1996}</ProjectGuid>
+    <TargetFramework>net48</TargetFramework>
+    <UseWindowsForms>true</UseWindowsForms>
     <OutputType>WinExe</OutputType>
-    <AppDesignerFolder>Properties</AppDesignerFolder>
     <RootNamespace>net.datacowboy.DocumentationGeneratorApplication</RootNamespace>
     <AssemblyName>DocumentationGeneratorApplication</AssemblyName>
-    <TargetFrameworkVersion>v4.8</TargetFrameworkVersion>
-    <FileAlignment>512</FileAlignment>
-    <TargetFrameworkProfile />
+    <GenerateAssemblyInfo>false</GenerateAssemblyInfo>
   </PropertyGroup>
-  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU' ">
-    <PlatformTarget>AnyCPU</PlatformTarget>
-    <DebugSymbols>true</DebugSymbols>
-    <DebugType>full</DebugType>
-    <Optimize>false</Optimize>
-    <OutputPath>bin\Debug\</OutputPath>
-    <DefineConstants>DEBUG;TRACE</DefineConstants>
-    <ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>
-    <WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
-    <Prefer32Bit>false</Prefer32Bit>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">
-    <PlatformTarget>AnyCPU</PlatformTarget>
-    <DebugType>pdbonly</DebugType>
-    <Optimize>true</Optimize>
-    <OutputPath>bin\Release\</OutputPath>
-    <DefineConstants>TRACE</DefineConstants>
-    <ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>
-    <WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
-    <Prefer32Bit>false</Prefer32Bit>
-  </PropertyGroup>
-  <ItemGroup>
-    <Reference Include="System" />
-    <Reference Include="System.configuration" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Core" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Data.Linq" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Xml.Linq" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Data.DataSetExtensions" />
-    <Reference Include="Microsoft.CSharp" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Data" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Deployment" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Drawing" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Windows.Forms" />
-    <Reference Include="System.Xml" />
-  </ItemGroup>
-  <ItemGroup>
-    <Compile Include="FrmConnectionString.cs">
-      <SubType>Form</SubType>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="FrmConnectionString.Designer.cs">
-      <DependentUpon>FrmConnectionString.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="FrmObjectsWithoutDescription.cs">
-      <SubType>Form</SubType>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="FrmObjectsWithoutDescription.Designer.cs">
-      <DependentUpon>FrmObjectsWithoutDescription.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="MainForm.cs">
-      <SubType>Form</SubType>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="MainForm.Designer.cs">
-      <DependentUpon>MainForm.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </Compile>
-    <Compile Include="Program.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="third-party\BeTimvwFramework\Collections\Generic\PropertyComparer.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="third-party\BeTimvwFramework\ComponentModel\FilterList.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="third-party\BeTimvwFramework\ComponentModel\PropertyDescriptorHelper.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="third-party\BeTimvwFramework\ComponentModel\SortableBindingList.cs" />
-    <EmbeddedResource Include="FrmConnectionString.resx">
-      <DependentUpon>FrmConnectionString.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </EmbeddedResource>
-    <EmbeddedResource Include="FrmObjectsWithoutDescription.resx">
-      <DependentUpon>FrmObjectsWithoutDescription.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </EmbeddedResource>
-    <EmbeddedResource Include="MainForm.resx">
-      <DependentUpon>MainForm.cs</DependentUpon>
-    </EmbeddedResource>
-    <EmbeddedResource Include="Properties\Resources.resx">
-      <Generator>ResXFileCodeGenerator</Generator>
-      <LastGenOutput>Resources.Designer.cs</LastGenOutput>
-      <SubType>Designer</SubType>
-    </EmbeddedResource>
-    <Compile Include="Properties\Resources.Designer.cs">
-      <AutoGen>True</AutoGen>
-      <DependentUpon>Resources.resx</DependentUpon>
-      <DesignTime>True</DesignTime>
-    </Compile>
-    <None Include="Properties\Settings.settings">
-      <Generator>SettingsSingleFileGenerator</Generator>
-      <LastGenOutput>Settings.Designer.cs</LastGenOutput>
-    </None>
-    <Compile Include="Properties\Settings.Designer.cs">
-      <AutoGen>True</AutoGen>
-      <DependentUpon>Settings.settings</DependentUpon>
-      <DesignTimeSharedInput>True</DesignTimeSharedInput>
-    </Compile>
-  </ItemGroup>
+
   <ItemGroup>
     <None Include="App.config" />
   </ItemGroup>
+
   <ItemGroup>
-    <ProjectReference Include="..\SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator\SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator.csproj">
-      <Project>{68bb69bf-a89e-4a81-b2b7-160ace34e0f7}</Project>
-      <Name>SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator</Name>
-    </ProjectReference>
+    <ProjectReference Include="..\SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator\SqlServerDatabaseDocumentationGenerator.csproj" />
   </ItemGroup>
-  <ItemGroup />
-  <Import Project="$(MSBuildToolsPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />
-  <!-- To modify your build process, add your task inside one of the targets below and uncomment it. 
-       Other similar extension points exist, see Microsoft.Common.targets.
-  <Target Name="BeforeBuild">
-  </Target>
-  <Target Name="AfterBuild">
-  </Target>
-  -->
+
 </Project>

DocumentationGeneratorApplication/FrmConnectionString.cs

@@ -105,6 +105,9 @@ public FrmConnectionString(string connectionString="")
                 catch (Exception ex)
                 {
                     //TODO: tell user something wrong in initial connection string
+                    MessageBox.Show(String.Format("Unable to parse initial connection string:\n{0}", ex.Message), "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
+                    builder = new SqlConnectionStringBuilder();
+
                 }
 
                 if (!String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(builder.DataSource))

DocumentationGeneratorApplication/MainForm.cs

@@ -42,10 +42,32 @@ private string getConnectionStringFromAppConfig()
             string connString = null;
 
 
-            var config = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["default"];
-            if (config != null)
+            try
+            {
+                // Try to access ConfigurationManager via reflection so the code compiles
+                // even when System.Configuration assembly is not referenced (e.g. .NET Core).
+                var cmType = Type.GetType("System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager, System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager") 
+                             ?? Type.GetType("System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager");
+                if (cmType != null)
+                {
+                    var connectionStringsProp = cmType.GetProperty("ConnectionStrings", System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Static | System.Reflection.BindingFlags.Public);
+                    var connectionStrings = connectionStringsProp?.GetValue(null);
+                    if (connectionStrings != null)
+                    {
+                        // indexer "Item" with key
+                        var indexer = connectionStrings.GetType().GetProperty("Item");
+                        var config = indexer?.GetValue(connectionStrings, new object[] { "default" });
+                        if (config != null)
+                        {
+                            var connStringProp = config.GetType().GetProperty("ConnectionString");
+                            connString = connStringProp?.GetValue(config) as string;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch
             {
-                connString = config.ConnectionString;
+                // ignore any reflection failures and return null
             }