Intent.Application.Dtos

What This Module Does

Generates Data Transfer Object (DTO) definitions and contract enums for application service operations. It applies configurable conventions (class vs record, setter accessibility, sealed modifier, static factory method) to produce consistent serialization-ready shapes.

Generated Artifacts

  • DTO classes/records for each mapped Service DTO model ([Name]Dto).
  • Contract enums for enumerated types referenced in service contracts.
  • Optional static factory method for easier creation when enabled.
  • Property accessibility adjusted (public/private/protected/internal/init) per settings.
  • Optional sealing of DTOs.

Settings (DTO Settings Group)

  • Type: class or record (records enable value-based equality and succinct initialization).
  • Property Setter Accessibility: Controls mutability; important when combined with mapping modules that may need internal setters.
  • Sealed: Adds sealed modifier for inheritance control.
  • Static Factory Method: Generates Create(...) or similar for fluent construction.

Design Considerations

  • DTOs serve as application boundary contracts; changes propagate to clients and mapping profiles.
  • Records recommended for immutable intent; use init setters for safe mutation during mapping.
  • Private/internal setters reduce accidental mutation post-construction.
  • When a DTO gets a constructor (non-public setters) or a static Create method (enabled and the DTO is not abstract), a field's default value is used only if every field after it also has one. This module adds a Services designer warning on any DTO whose fields are ordered otherwise.

Integration Points

  • Used by Service Contract interfaces (Intent.Application.Contracts).
  • Mapped by Intent.Application.Dtos.AutoMapper (and extended by DocumentDB cross-aggregate mapping module).
  • Consumed in Eventing / CQRS request/response patterns.

When To Use

  • Any application service layer requiring structured request/response models decoupled from domain entities.

When Not To Use

  • Extremely simple prototypes where direct domain entity exposure is acceptable (not recommended for production).
  • Intent.Application.Contracts
  • Intent.Application.Dtos.AutoMapper
  • Intent.DocumentDB.Dtos.AutoMapper