Modeling Services

The Services Designer in Intent Architect is a powerful tool for modeling "Application Services" in your applications. This module enables developers to define how an application can be interacted with at the service level, allowing for the creation of both internal services and publicly exposed endpoints.

What is an Application Service?

An application service is a layer in an application's architecture that serves as an intermediary between the domain layer (business logic) and the presentation layer (e.g., user interface or API). It orchestrates use cases and workflows, delegating detailed domain logic to the domain layer.

Key Characteristics of an Application Service

  • Coordinates Use Cases: Encapsulates specific use cases or workflows, such as "Register a User" or "Place an Order."
  • Delegates Domain Logic: Delegates core business logic to domain entities or domain services.
  • Handles Input/Output: Processes input from the presentation layer (e.g., HTTP requests) and returns output (e.g., HTTP responses or data transfer objects).
  • Transaction Management: Manages transaction boundaries, such as starting, committing, or rolling back database transactions.
  • Separates Layers: Prevents the presentation layer from interacting directly with the domain layer, maintaining separation of concerns.
  • Interacts with Infrastructure: Uses repositories, mappers, or other infrastructure components to fetch or persist data.

Service Modeling Paradigms

Intent Architect provides two paradigms for modeling application services: CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) and Traditional Services. This flexibility allows you to design services tailored to your system's architectural requirements, whether you prioritize scalability and clarity or prefer a unified approach.

Modeling services focuses on defining the flow of data into and out of your application (data contracts). You can also optionally model implementations for your services.

CQRS Paradigm

  • Separates read and write responsibilities into distinct models optimized for their respective purposes.
  • Commands handle state-changing operations, focusing on business logic and domain consistency.
  • Queries handle data retrieval, often accessing read-optimized data stores or projections.
  • Ideal for systems with complex requirements or high scalability demands.
  • Use case-centric.

CQRS Paradigm

Traditional Service Paradigm

  • Combines read and write logic into a single service.
  • Simplifies development by using a unified data model and service structure.
  • Common in systems with straightforward requirements or minimal scalability concerns.

Traditional Service Paradigm

Intent Architect enables you to effectively model services using either approach.

Exposing an Application Service

By default, application services are only available internally. To expose these services for external consumption, you must take explicit action. This involves making critical decisions:

  • Which service endpoints will be exposed?
  • Over which technology will they be exposed?
  • What are the technology-specific configurations (e.g., security, addressing)?

The methods available for exposing services depend on the modules installed. For example, if you have the Intent.Metadata.WebApi module installed, you can Expose as HTTP Endpoint to expose services over HTTP using REST conventions.

Creating a CQRS Command

  1. Add a Command to a diagram in the Services Designer.
  2. Name the Command, typically suffixed with Command (e.g., CreateCustomerCommand).
  3. Right-click the Command and select Add Property to define its data.
  4. Add complex data types as needed:
    • DTO for nested structures.
    • Enum for enumerations.
  5. Optional: Define the return type of the Command in the property pane or by pressing F2.

Modeled CQRS Command

Implementing the Command

Once applied to your codebase:

  1. Right-click on the Command and select Open in IDE -> {CreateCustomerCommandHandler.cs}.
  2. Implement your business logic in the Handle method.
Note

Many service implementations are predictable and repetitive. Intent Architect can generate these implementations for you: Modeled Service Implementations.

Tip

Quickly model or bootstrap your services using the CQRS CRUD Accelerator.

Creating a CQRS Query

  1. Add a Query to a diagram in the Services Designer.
  2. Name the Query, typically suffixed with Query (e.g., GetCustomerByIdQuery).
  3. Right-click the Query and select Add Property to define its data.
  4. Add complex data types as needed:
    • DTO for nested structures.
    • Enum for enumerations.
  5. Select return type of the Query in the property pane or by pressing F2 (typically a DTO).

Modeled CQRS Query

Implementing the Query

Once applied to your codebase:

  1. Right-click on the Query and select Open in IDE -> {QueryHandler.cs}.
  2. Implement your business logic in the Handle method.
Note

Many service implementations are predictable and repetitive. Intent Architect can generate these implementations for you: Modeled Service Implementations.

Tip

Quickly model or bootstrap your services using the Traditional Service CRUD Accelerator.

Creating a Traditional Application Service

To create a service with operations:

  1. Right-click on the diagram and select New Service, then provide a unique name.
  2. Right-click the service and select Add Operation, then provide a name.
  3. Right-click the operation and select Add Parameter. Specify its name and type. If it represents an inbound payload, select the corresponding DTO.
  4. Leave the type as void for operations with no return value, or choose an appropriate return type.

Modeled Traditional Service

Implementing the Service

Once applied to your codebase:

  1. Right-click the Service and select Open in IDE -> {OrganizationsService.cs}.
  2. Implement your business logic in the method corresponding to your modeled Operation (e.g., CreateOrganization).
Note

Many service implementations are predictable and repetitive. Intent Architect can generate these implementations for you: Modeled Service Implementations.

Tip

Quickly model or bootstrap your services using the Traditional Service CRUD Accelerator.

Creating a DTO

To create a DTO:

  1. Right-click on the Service Package or a containing folder and select New DTO, then provide a unique name.
  2. Right-click the DTO and select Add Field. Specify the name and type.

Normal DTOs

Inheriting from a DTO

To inherit one DTO from another:

  1. Right-click on the DTO that will inherit and select New Inheritance.
  2. Select the parent DTO.

Inheritance DTO

Mapping an Outbound DTO

To map outbound DTOs:

  1. Right-click on the DTO that will receive the mapped information and select Map From Domain.
  2. In the dialog, specify the domain entity and select the attributes to include in the outbound DTO.
  3. Check the desired attributes and click Done. This links your domain data to the DTO.

Outbound Mapping DTO

Adding a Diagram to the Services Designer

To enhance visual organization:

  1. Right-click on the Services package and select New Diagram.
  2. If the designer was in Tree-view, it will switch to a diagram view.
  3. Rename the diagram by right-clicking it in the Tree-view and selecting Rename.
  4. Drag services from the Tree-view onto the diagram to create visual representations.
  5. Optionally, create multiple diagrams for different perspectives. The Tree-view remains the source of truth.

Diagram View

Tip

Hold down CTRL while dragging elements from the Tree-view to include directly associated elements.

Using Accelerators to Rapidly Model Services

Accelerators are macros or scripts that automate repetitive modeling tasks, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Create CRUD CQRS Operations Accelerator

This accelerator models a CQRS service with a CRUD implementation, including the following:

  • Commands:
    • Create Entity Command
    • Update Entity Command
    • Delete Entity Command
  • Queries:
    • Get Entity by Id Query
    • Get All Entities Query
  • Commands based on the Entity's operations.
  1. Right-click on the Services Package, and select Create CRUD CQRS Operations.
  2. Select the domain Entity to model the service around.

Generated CRUD CQRS Service Example

Note

You can also run this accelerator on a Folder in the Services Designer.

Create CRUD Traditional Service Accelerator

This accelerator models a Traditional Service with CRUD implementations, including the following operations:

  • Create Entity
  • Update Entity
  • Delete Entity
  • Get Entity by Id
  • Get All Entities
  • Operations based on the Entity's operations.
  1. Right-click on the Services Package, and select Create CRUD Traditional Service.
  2. Select the domain Entity to model the service around.

Generated CRUD Traditional Service Example

Paginate Accelerator

Pagination enables large datasets to be returned in smaller, more manageable chunks. The Paginate accelerator is available for any Operation or Query that returns a collection.

  1. Right-click on the qualifying Operation or Query.
  2. Select the Paginate menu item.

Actions performed by this accelerator

  • Changes the return type of the Operation or Query from TReturnType to PagedResult<TReturnType>.
  • Adds three parameters/properties to the Operation/Query:
    • PageNo: Specifies the page number to retrieve, based on the PageSize.
    • PageSize: Specifies how many records should be included in a single page.
    • OrderBy: Specifies how data should be sorted before pagination. This is optional, and defaults to database ordering if omitted. It will order data in ascending order by default.
Note

If using the default CRUD implementation, the PageNo parameter is 1-based by default (first page = 1), renaming the parameter to PageIndex will make it 0-based (first page = 0).

Tip

The CRUD modules treat the OrderBy as a dynamic LINQ statement. The OrderBy parameter supports, a single entity property (e.g., name), multiple entity properties (e.g., created, name), sorting directions for each property (e.g., name desc, created desc, name asc).

Examples of valid OrderBy formats:

  • name
  • name asc
  • name desc
  • created, name
  • created desc, name asc

Pagination

Modeled Implementations

Create Entity Action

This action allows you to model the creation of a domain Entity (Class) using either an Object Initializer or a Constructor.
It can be applied to a Command, a service Operation, or a Domain Event Handler Association (referred to as the Element below).

Creating a Domain Entity using Object Initialization

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to create.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Create Entity.
  3. Connect the Element to the Entity by left-clicking it.

This opens the Create Entity Mapping dialog to map data from the Element to the Entity.

  1. Double-click the Entity in the right-hand panel.
    A purple line appears, indicating the creation of the Entity using an Object Initializer.
  2. Map data from the Element to the Entity:
    • Double-click the Entity again to map all attributes and add missing ones.
    • Double-click an Entity attribute or Element property to automatically map (or create and map) them.
    • Drag an an Entity attribute or Element property to it's counter part*, to map them.
    • Drag multiple mappable items from either side to the other side's background, this will batch map the items, adding items if applicable.

Create Entity Action Mapping

Tip

If no mappable property exists, you can define an expression (e.g., true, 0, "") in the text box next to the attribute.

Create Entity Action

Tip

To revisit the mapping screen, right-click on the Create Entity Action or the association linking the Element and Entity, and select Map Entity Creation.

Creating a Domain Entity using a Constructor

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to create.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Create Entity.
  3. Connect Element to a Constructor on the Entity Left-click on the Constructor.

This will open the Create Entity Mapping Dialog, this dialog helps you map data from the Element to the Entity.

  1. Double-Click the Constructor in right hand panel. This will add purple line between the Element and the Constructor, this represents how the Entity will be created i.e. using this Constructor.

  2. Map how the data from the Element to the Constructor, this can be done in several ways:

    • Double-click the Constructor again, this map all the Constructor parameters to the corresponding Element properties, adding missing ones where required.
    • Double-click an Constructor attribute or Element property to automatically map (or create and map) them.
    • Drag an an Constructor attribute or Element property to it's counter part*, to map them.

Create Entity Action Mapping

Tip

If no mappable property exists, you can define an expression (e.g., true, 0, "") in the text box next to the attribute.

Create Entity Action

Tip

To revisit the mapping screen, right-click on the Create Entity Action or the association linking the Element and Entity, and select Map Entity Creation.

Update Entity Action

This action models updates to a domain Entity (Class) using its Attributes or an entity Operation.
It applies to a Command, a service Operation, or a Domain Event Handler Association (referred to as the Element below).

Updating a Domain Entity Using Its Properties

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to update.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Update Entity.
  3. Connect the Element to the Entity by left-clicking the Entity.

This opens the Update Entity Mapping dialog, where you can:

  1. Map data from the Element to the Entity:
    • Select Entity attributes, drag them to the background of the left-hand side, mapping the Entity attributes to the corresponding Element properties.
    • Double-click an Entity attribute or Element property to automatically map (or create and map) them.
    • Drag an individual Element property onto a Entity attribute, this will map the two elements. Update Entity Action Mapping
  2. Click Map Entity Query to define how the Entity should be retrieved:
    • Map the primary key of the Entity to corresponding Element properties.

Update Entity Action

Tip

Revisit the mapping screen by right-clicking the Update Entity Action or the association and selecting Map Entity Update.

Updating a Domain Entity using a Domain Entity Operation

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to create.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Update Entity.
  3. Connect Element to an Operation on the Entity by left-clicking the Operation.

This opens the Update Entity Mapping dialog, where you can:

  1. Map how the Operation will be invoked :
    1. Double-click the Operation in right hand panel. This will add purple line between the Element and the Operation, this represents the invocation of the Operation.
    2. Map data from the Element to the Operation:
    • Double-click the Operation again, this map all the Operation parameters to the corresponding Element properties, adding missing ones where required.
    • Double-click an Operation parameter or Element property to automatically map (or create and map) them.
    • Drag an individual Element property onto a Operation parameter, this will map the two elements. Update Entity Action Operation Mapping
  2. Click Map Entity Query to define how the Entity should be retrieved:
    • Map the primary key of the Entity to corresponding Element properties.

Update Entity Action using an Operation

Tip

Revisit the mapping screen by right-clicking the Update Entity Action or the association and selecting Map Entity Update.

Delete Entity Action

This action allows you to model the deletion of a domain Entity (Class).
It can be applied to a Command, a service Operation, or a Domain Event Handler Association (referred to as the Element below).

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to delete.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Delete Entity.
  3. Connect the Element to the Entity by left-clicking the Entity.

Delete Entity Action

Note

For Domain Event Handler you will need to configure how the Domain Entity is queries, simply right-click on the Delete Entity Action (Connecting Association) and select Map Entity Filter and map the domain Entitys primary key.

Query Entity Action

This action allows you to model the querying of a domain Entity (Class).
It can be applied to a Query, Command, service Operation, or Domain Event Handler Association (referred to as the Element below).

How to Query a single Entity

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to query.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Query Entity.
  3. Connect the Element to the Entity by left-clicking the Entity.
  4. Select the Association you just created (Query Entity Action).
  5. Right-click and select Map Entity Query. This opens the Query Entity Mapping dialog, where you model the criteria for Entity Select:
  6. Map the filter criteria for querying your Entity, here are a few ways you could do this
    • Double-click the primary key of the Entity.
    • Map the primary key of the Entity to corresponding Element properties.
    • Map one or more Entity attributes, which uniquely identify the Entity, to corresponding Element properties.
  7. Click Done to complete the mapping (even if no filter criteria are applied).

Query Entity Action

How to Query a Collection of Entities

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose the domain Entity you want to query.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Query Entity.
  3. Connect the Element to the Entity by left-clicking the Entity.
  4. Select the Association you just created (Query Entity Action).
  5. In the Properties pane, check Is Collection (shortcut: Alt + C). You can also rename the Name entity to "entities" or similar (this will be the name of the variable the query results are assigned to).
  6. Right-click the association and select Map Entity Query. This opens the Query Entity Mapping dialog, where you model the criteria for Entity Select:
  7. Optionally Map Filter criteria for the Entity selection.
  8. Click Done to complete the mapping (even if no filter criteria are applied).

Query Entity Action Collection

How to apply mapped filters to a Query

  1. On a Query that has a field used for filtering, right click on the Query action and select Map Entity Query. This opens the Query Entity Mapping dialog.
  2. Map one or more Entity attributes, which uniquely identify the Entity, to corresponding Query properties. You can double-click on an Entity attribute to create a corresponding field on the Query element that is also mapped.
  3. Click Done to complete the mapping.

Mapping Field for Query

Note

Currently, filter criteria mapping only supports "==" conditions. More complex filters must be implemented in code.

Service Returns and Query Entity Actions

Query Entity Action is designed specifically for modeling the querying of data and is not directly tied to the Return Type of the Element it is modeled on.

Suppose you are modeling a Query named GetCustomersQuery. This query would likely return a collection of CustomerDtos. The implementation of the GetCustomersQueryHandler would involve the following steps:

  1. Query the database to get a list of Customers.
  2. Transform the Customers to CustomerDtos and return the DTOs.

The Query Entity Action focuses solely on step 1 — querying the database. It is unrelated to step 2, which involves transforming the data into a different return type.

When using Query Entity Action alongside our CRUD modules, these modules employ heuristic algorithms to handle the wiring for step 2 automatically.

This mapping can be established using the Map From Domain context menu option on the DTO. This ensures that the transformation from the queried type (Customer) to the return type (CustomerDto) is recognized and automated. The return type and query type must also share the same value for Is Collection. If the query retrieves a collection of entities, the return type should also be a collection. Similarly, if the query retrieves a single entity, the return type should not be a collection.

Call Service Operation Action

The Call Service Operation Action allows you to model the invocation of Service or Domain Service operations.
It can be applied to a Command, Query, service Operation, or Domain Event Handler Association (collectively referred to as the Element below).

  1. On a diagram, select Add to Diagram and choose a Service or Domain Service you want to invoke.
  2. Right-click on the Element and select Call Service Operation.
  3. Connect the Element to the Operation you want to invoke, by left-clicking the Operation.

This opens the Service Operation Mapping dialog, where you can:

  1. Map data from the Element to the Operation invocation:
    • Double-click the Operation again, this map all the Operation parameters to the corresponding Element properties, adding missing ones where required.
    • Double-click an Operation attribute or Element property to automatically map (or create and map) them.
    • Drag an an Operation attribute or Element property to it's counter part, to map them. Service Operation Call Mapping

Service Operation Call

Processing Actions

Warning

This is an experimental feature and likely to change in the future

Add Processing Action allows you configure additional implementation details through additional mappings. These mappings are able to link any existing actions together.

Here are a few examples of what is possible.

  • Invoke an Operation on a Domain Entity you are updating.
  • Map data from the result of a Service Operation Call onto an entity.