The next Windows client, code-named Longhorn, and its WinFX APIs will be the main subject of a Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Sept. 2005. Since the last PDC in Oct. 2003, Microsoft has changed its plans for Longhorn and WinFX significantly, eliminating some major features and announcing that other features will also run on Windows XP. Other conferences next year, including the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) and TechEd, will also provide glimpses of the new technology, but developers who want their applications to work with Longhorn technologies will get the real technical meat at the PDC.

(For a list of important Microsoft-sponsored events through Sept. 30, 2005, and a selection of industry events where the company and its partners have a significant presence, see the chart “Microsoft and Industry Conferences“.)

PDCs Matter

Microsoft uses PDCs to expose developers to major changes in the programming model and APIs of Windows. For example, at the last PDC, in Oct. 2003, Microsoft revealed to developers the overall vision of Longhorn and WinFX.

The next Windows client, code-named Longhorn, and the next version of SQL Server, code-named Yukon, will be the subject of a Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in Oct. 2003. The PDC should be of particular interest for developers who want to ensure that their existing applications will run on the new platforms and that existing and updated applications will exploit the new features and technologies. Other conferences this year, including the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) and TechEd will also provide glimpses of the new technology, but the real technical meat will be exposed at the PDC.

PDCs Matter

Microsoft uses PDCs to expose developers to major changes in the programming model and APIs of Windows. For example, at the last PDC, in Oct. 2001, Microsoft revealed to developers the internal workings of the .NET Framework, ASP.NET, and Visual Studio .NET. While Microsoft’s closest partners might get a preview of these technologies by participating in design reviews, the PDC will be the first real unveiling of the new APIs, features, and architectures of Longhorn and Yukon.