By Michael McIntyre

mikemc@getdotnetcode.com

Be prepared. “Technology Radar Screen” articles help you prepare for new Microsoft technologies that will affect you in the near to not-too-distant future.  If you are a professional developer, the technologies covered by these articles should be on your ‘radar screen - they WILL affect the way you develop applications.

This installment introduces Windows Code Named Longhorn, the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Buckle up and bring your seat to the full upright position. The next generation of Windows brings big changes that will affect every Windows developer and user.

Information in this article is based on the best sources available as of September 20, 2004. Release dates and some technology details included here are subject to change and will be the subject of future “Technology Radar Screen” articles.

Windows  Code Named Longhorn

·         DESCRIPTION

o        This is the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system. This generation will change the way applications are built - not something that happens everyday. Longhorn is based on managed code (.NET Framework). Longhorn-based applications are completely object oriented. All of this adds up to fundamental changes that will affect all Windows developers.

o        STATUS

§         MAY 2004 - Community Preview (WinHec build)

o        ESTIMATED RELEASE DATE

§         2006

o        BEST BET RESOURCES

§         Longhorn Developer Center

o        DEVELOPER RECOMMENDATIONS

§         May 2004

§         1. Get the .NET Framework prerequisite out of the way now. If you are not using .NET yet, jump in now. Longhorn is based on the managed code model. Developers working with the .NET Framework have a good head start. Developers that are not yet using .NET should begin to catch up now.

§         2. If you are not an early adopter work through the resources at Understanding Longhorn over the next 60 days.

§         3. If you are an early adopter you should already be working through the entire Longhorn Developer Center and you should be working with the WinHec build of the Longhorn community preview.

o        FUNDAMENTALS (The Pillars of Longhorn)

§         Code Name Avalon

§         This is Longhorn's presentation subsystem, an environment where programming and a markup language intricately mesh to provide powerful new capabilities to Windows programmers. Avalon introduces the Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) which is much like HTML but for Windows forms. With Avalon you can still program Windows forms using .NET languages as you do today but with the added benefit of including XAML to achieve visual effects that are totally unheard of in Windows forms today. Click here to learn more.

§         Code Name Indigo

§         Indigo is a collection of new programming frameworks that marry the best features of .NET Remoting, ASMX, and .NET Enterprise services into a unified programming and administration model. Indigo provides deep support for standard protocols, including HTTP, XML, and SOAP. Indigo makes it easier to integrate applications and services without sacrificing security or reliability. Click here to learn more.

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