Question

Have you ever tried working with a XAML file which contains thousand tons of line of code. (More specifically Drawing Brushes for whole application in my case). This file is of 20+ MB size. Whenever i try to add/edit anything in this, Visual Studio 2008 crashes (7/10 times).
Then if i’m able to do my changes and try to save change then VS crashes (most of the times).
It is so difficult to work with such a big file in VS (same happens in Blend too but with few occurences)
I know having such a big file doesn’t come under Good Coding standards. But what should we do if somehow we come in such scenario???

The only thing I finally found was KXAML : which proved quite good. Any other suggestions ??

UPDATED I dont want to change structure of that file or go for any other approach. I’m curious to know how to work / with such file. (other editors may be)

ADD seeing the answers – I would say i’m not stuck at this point i want to know if someone got stuck then is it better way to edit such thing ?? (separating this file would be the v.first thought to avoid this problem not solution)

ADD1 Alright !! My bad, i got too optimistic regarding this thought. Considering canvass, I would ask for the best practice to split this huge file.

Answer 1

I might suggest you take the pro-active approach and see if you can’t segment it appropriately.

Define separate ResourceDictionary files to encapsulate reused resources and suchlike; similarly, do this for other sections of the file which can be stripped out and simply referenced.

This way you can have a file containing your Brushes, a file per Style and/or ControlTemplate, and so on and so forth.

EDIT:

As per your update stating quite definitively that you don’t want to actually change the file, then I can only reply to the question of ‘How to work with such a large file?‘ with these words:

With great difficulty, pangs of irritated senses and a lot of wasted time.