Dynamic Silverlight 1.1 Alpha Samples

Dynamic Silverlight 1.1 Alpha Samples

WinFX Runtime Components Beta 2

"Windows Presentation Foundation", "Windows Communication Foundation", and "Windows Workflow Foundation" are the names for three strategic developer technologies that Microsoft plans to ship in 2006 as part of the Windows Vista operating system. In addition, Microsoft is making these technologies available on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The WinFX Runtime Components Beta 2 enables developers to continue experimenting with early builds of these technologies, get acquainted with the development experience, and provide Microsoft with feedback. More details about these technologies are below.

Please note that the License Agreement in this pre-release version of WinFX Runtime Components does not allow usage in a live operating environment. Information about Go-Live possibilities for WinFX Runtime Components can be found here.

Note: This is a beta release. Therefore, do not install these builds on machines you depend on. If you have a previous version of Avalon ("Windows Presentation Foundation"), Indigo ("Windows Communication Foundation"), or pre-released versions of .NET Framework 2.0 installed you must read this before download.

"Windows Communication Foundation" is the name for Microsoft’s unified programming model for building connected systems, formerly known as code-name "Indigo". It extends the .NET Framework 2.0 with additional APIs for building secure, reliable, transacted Web services that interoperate with non-Microsoft platforms and integrate with existing investments. By combining the functionality of existing Microsoft distributed application technologies (ASMX, .NET Remoting, .NET Enterprise Services, Web Services Enhancements, and System.Messaging), Indigo delivers a single development framework that improves developer productivity and reduces organizations’ time to market.

"Windows Presentation Foundation" is the name for Microsoft's unified presentation subsystem for Windows, formerly known as "Avalon". It consists of a display engine and a managed-code framework. "Windows Presentation Foundation" unifies how Windows creates, displays, and manipulates documents, media, and user interface. This enables developers and designers to create visually-stunning, differentiated user experiences that improve customer connection. When delivered, "Windows Presentation Foundation" will become Microsoft's strategic user interface (UI) technology.

"Windows Workflow Foundation" is the name for Microsoft's strategic programming model for building workflow enabled applications. It consists of a managed-code framework and designers for Visual Studio .NET. Windows Workflow Foundation includes both system workflow and human workflow. It supports a wide range of scenarios including: workflow within line of business applications, page-flow, document-centric workflow, workflow for service oriented applications and workflow for systems management. The Windows Workflow Foundation developer experience is consistent with existing WinFX technologies and includes support for VB and C#, debugging, a graphical workflow designer and the ability to write your workflow completely in code. Windows Workflow Foundation also provides an extensible model and designer to build custom activities which encapsulate workflow functionality for end-users or for re-use across multiple projects. Windows Workflow Foundation will be used across many future Microsoft products including Office “12”, BizTalk Server and the Microsoft Business Solutions. Most applications can benefit from the asynchronous state management features of the workflow model, the rapid development features of the designer, the potential for end-user flexibility, and the increased visibility into run-time code execution.

To start the installation process, you will need to run the download file; this will initiate the installation of the WinFX Runtime Components Beta 2; If you have troubles with the download manager, you can download the entire package for x86 or for x64 which are both .EXE files.

This Beta release supports Visual Studio 2005 RTM and the .NET Framework 2.0 RTM.  The Microsoft® WinFX® SDK contains documentation, samples, and tools designed to help you develop managed applications and libraries using WinFX. You can install the SDK that corresponds to this release here.