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What is "select friend packages"

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Posted on by DELDYN

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Hi,

When updating model parameters, there is a new tab called Select Friend packages.

What is that?

Based on what does model appear in it?

What happens if i tick one of the packages appearing in the friend packages?

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Mohit Rampal 12,565 Moderator on at

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Hi, I couldn't find much information on 'Select Friend packages' we have in Update model parameters in visual studio. There is this post which has provided some insights into it. It is used for accessing Internal objects and methods of module. In Descriptor file, All reference packages are grouped into ModuleReferences but the friend package has different node 'InternalsVisibleTo'.

www.linkedin.com/.../

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DELDYN 482 on at

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Hi Mohit,

So before this "friend package" we were able to see internal methods in models we reference but we weren't able to access them??

Also, i have other 2 questions:

i'll tell u this case that happened with me.

There is model A

Model B references model A and model X in addition to standard models

Model C references model A and model X in addition to standard models

Now Before, model X was only referencing standard models.

I clicked update model parameters, and in the friend packages i saw Model B and Model C in the list

1. Why did only Model B and C appear?

2. In general, Model X shouldn't be referencing Model B or C due to circular reference. So how come they appeared in friend packages? And how would i access their internal methods in the first place?

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GirishS 27,827 Moderator on at

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Let us assumes there is 2 packages Parent and Child. In child package update model parameters parent package is referred and in the friend package you will get custom child packages as friend package. Meaning you will get all the custom parent packages as friend packages.

If you tick parent package you will be able to access the parent package internal classes or methods from child packages.

There is no such Microsoft documentation or any blogs available, but this is the functionality.

Thanks,

Girish S.

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DELDYN 482 on at

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Hi Girish,

So you mean i will be able to see all custom packages in the system

as a friend packages regardless of which model i choose to update?

And what would happen in the case i mentioned? Which is if a i add a friend package that already references my model? Wouldn't that cause circular reference?

I mean i won't see the model to refer it because of circular reference but why i was able to see it as friend package

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GirishS 27,827 Moderator on at

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I think it won't create circular dependency. This is applicable only for accessing the internal methods or classes.

you can give it a try with this scenario you are saying and test it.

Thanks,

Girish S.

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Martin Dráb 237,904 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Saying that a package is allowed to access internal members isn't the same thing as adding a reference.

For example, if you say model A allows model B to see its internals, it doesn't mean that A can use objects defined in B.

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GirishS 27,827 Moderator on at

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For the example you said. Model X is child package of Model B and also Model C.

So, it appears in friend package selection.

Also referencing the model and selecting a friend package is two different things.

Thanks,

Girish S.

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Martin Dráb 237,904 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Saying that a package is allowed to access internal members isn't the same thing as adding a reference.

For example, if you say model A allows model B to see its internals, it doesn't mean that A can use objects defined in B.

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DELDYN 482 on at

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So as a conclusion

Friends Packages show all custom models in the system

Friends packages only allow us to view internal variables and internal methods -- without being able to call them by code

1. Correct?

2. So if we don't add a friend package, when we open a class thay has internal methods, they will be hidden?

3. And if don't add a friend package, what if there is a public method and inside it an internal method is called...will i see it?

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GirishS 27,827 Moderator on at

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It won't show all custom models. Only the reference models as I said earlier.

It is not about seeing the internal method in the models.

Suppose you created internal method say "test" in Model A. There is one more model Model B where you select friend package as Model A. Mostly the method that are declared as internal cannot be used outside of the model. It will be used only inside the model.

Since you selected Model A as Friend package in Model B you can use or call that internal method "test" created in Model A.

Thanks,

Girish S.

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