On 18-Jul-01 Andrew Savory wrote:
Not quite accurate - and this is why most people are confused. Ignore the marketing - .NET is the new Windows API. It provides a platform for web services, yes, but that's only one aspect of it. MS are pushing the web stuff hard, because it's a pretty new feature for them, but the other stuff shouldn't be ignored.
Hmmm. Not convinced that's quite the way to put it. I'll not bother posting swathes of text to refute it, but take a look at http://www.ximian.com/tech/mono-index.php3 or http://www.microsoft.com/net/whatis.asp for more details. I think to say .NET is "the new Windows API" is a little too glib.
But not that inaccurate, C# is the new language of choice of M$ development, replaceing straight C and later C++, Com+ the architecture replacing DLL then COM, and indeed servers like orchestration server and the like exist for .NET but there is a totaly new set of GUI classes accessable from the new java like (In terms of garbigde collection not in style) GUI frame work beeing developed (little features like opacity are becoming standard widget properties, illistrates that this GUI kit may make enlightenment look low on eye candy) I guess M$ fears of VC++ developers moving to Qt in droves means the cludgy windows foundation classes need a complete replacement (after all the "standard is nearly 5 years old).
Yes my 2 cents worth from the UK .NET launch conferance.
Owen