Microsoft`s long-awaited Visual Studio .Net has finally been launched to the public. It is the company`s first development environment release since 1998.
As a key component to Microsoft`s .Net strategy, Visual Studio .Net contains a strong Web services leaning, implementing XML, WSML (Web services meta language), UDDI (universal description, discovery and integration) and SOAP (simple object application protocol) features.
The system uses a Java-like just-in-time compiler, along with a language intermediary called IL (intermediate language), often likened to Java`s byte code, which allows developers to work in a choice of over 20 programming languages within the environment. The IL then runs on a common language infrastructure (CLI), which could potentially see .Net ported to non-Microsoft platforms.
Both the CLI and Microsoft`s primary development language developed for .Net, C#, have been submitted to the ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers` Association) standards body and accepted as open standards, in effect ending Microsoft`s control over both.
"Launching Visual Studio .Net and the .Net Framework today underscores Microsoft`s long-term commitment to developer success," says Neil Isserow, product marketing manager at Microsoft South Africa.
"We view Visual Studio .Net as the key to the next big wave of developer opportunity, creating the XML Web services that will soon become the basis for all major new software development."
Visual Studio .Net is available in three editions. Visual Studio .Net Enterprise Architect enables software architects and senior developers to build large-scale applications for infrastructure development. Enterprise Architect costs $2 499 for the full version or $1 799 for the upgrade.
Visual Studio .Net Enterprise Developer enables development teams to build enterprise applications for any Internet device and any platform, and will cost $1 799, or $1 079 for the upgrade.
Visual Studio .Net Professional enables developers to rapidly build XML Web services and next-generation applications for any Internet device, and costs $999 or $544 for the upgrade.
The MSDN Universal and MSDN Enterprise subscriptions will also include Visual Studio .Net.
The final portion of Microsoft`s .Net puzzle will be Windows XP Server, due out later this year.
Share
