Opening Story:
This post will detail one example of how I have used code generation to advance my career. While working for a large government contractor the team was looking for a software solution for tracking server configurations. We wanted to know what what applications were installed on the servers and what versions of the applications were installed. We also wanted information on some applications that were xcopy deployed on the servers. We also needed information about the patches installed on Oracle instances. After listing to a vendor’s presentation about their solution to our problem on a Friday afternoon I realized That I could build a 90% solution over the weekend.
My Solution
Retrieve the Server Configuration Information
I started with a database schema to hold the data I needed to produce the reports that are required. I wrote a .Net console application that queried Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to get a list of installed programs. From the .Net program I was able to call OPatch to get the info I needed from Oracle. I just checked for the existence of files to verify that our xcopy deployed tools were present. I now had all of the info I needed to put in the database and the database schema.
Generate a Web Application to View Server Configuration Information
At this point in my career I had created a database driven code generator that I used to generate code for me when working on database projects. I used to sell a code generator commercially. Depending on where I was working at the time I would use the one I used to sell or I would create one to use at work. In this case I created one to use at work and I had templates that would generate a CRUD application using ASP.Net. The next step was to point my code generator at my new schema and had a working application that would display data for my new database. I used the business and data tiers from the generated code in my console application to write the queried information to the database.
Modify the Generated Web Application
With the data in the database I needed to provide the users a way to see the information in the format they wanted. They needed more than data entry pages and views of single records. I added a few pages to the web app to allow users to view server configuration information over time by server and report on it. I packaged up the console app to make it easy to deploy. The application was installed by copying it to a server, updating a json config file and setting up a scheduled task to run the program. The scheduled task would fire off the program, the program would get the server configuration information and write it to the database and users could view the information from the web application.
The following Monday I demoed the application and it was very well received. We deployed it and used it for years.
From Manual to Automated
Code generation is a game-changer because it replaces repetitive, error-prone manual work with automation. Before I embraced it, I spent countless hours writing boilerplate code for APIs, data models, and configuration files. Each line had to be carefully crafted, tested, and maintained. And despite my best efforts, human error was inevitable.
With code generation, those days are behind me. Instead of writing the same code repeatedly, I create templates and scripts that generate it automatically. Not only does this save an incredible amount of time, but it also ensures consistency and reduces the likelihood of bugs. For example, instead of manually writing API backends for different services, I now use code generation to generate the CRUD endpoints in seconds. I also generate the units tests for the generated code. The team can now focus their time on business rules and adding business value
Automation also frees up developers to focus on more valuable work—solving complex problems, designing better architectures, and improving performance. The more we automate, the more we can shift our efforts toward innovation rather than repetition.
The Career Boost
Mastering code generation doesn’t just save time—it makes you invaluable to your team and organization. When I introduced automated code generation to my workflow, I quickly became the go-to person for improving development efficiency. My team started relying on me to find ways to streamline our processes, and before long, my reputation as a productivity booster spread.
Employers and managers love developers who can deliver results faster and more reliably. Code generation skills set you apart as someone who thinks critically about efficiency and scalability. It’s not just about writing code—it’s about writing less code while achieving more.
Because of my expertise in automation, I’ve had opportunities to work on high-impact projects, lead process improvements, and even mentor others in adopting these techniques. This has led to promotions, salary increases, and a stronger professional network. The ability to automate tedious tasks is a superpower in the software development world.
Quick Wins
The best way to start with code generation is by tackling small, practical projects. Here are a few simple ways to get quick wins:
- Generate Configuration Files: Writing JSON, YAML, or XML configuration files by hand is tedious. Use templates to generate them dynamically based on input parameters.
- Automate Boilerplate Code: If you frequently write similar classes, functions, or API endpoints, create a script to generate them from a template.
- Use OpenAPI for API Clients: Many modern APIs provide OpenAPI specifications. Tools like Swagger Codegen or OpenAPI Generator can create API clients for various programming languages automatically.
- Scaffold Projects: Instead of setting up a new project manually every time, create a project generator that initializes everything with best practices already in place.
- Leverage ORM Code Generators: Many ORMs (Object-Relational Mappers) support generating models from database schemas, reducing the need to write tedious data models by hand.
- Leverage a code generator like Monstarillo to generate code from you database or ORM model.
Each of these projects builds confidence and demonstrates immediate value. Once you see the power of automation, you’ll start looking for opportunities to apply it everywhere.
Conclusion
Automation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a career accelerator. By mastering code generation, you can eliminate repetitive work, reduce errors, and become an indispensable asset to any team. Whether you start with simple tasks like generating configuration files or build full-fledged automation tools, the impact is undeniable.
Looking back, that weekend project wasn’t just about saving time—it was about transforming my approach to software development. Today, I write less code while achieving more, and my career has taken off because of it. If you’re a developer looking to level up, start exploring code generation. It might just be your secret weapon for success.
