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Windows 7 Developer Guide Is Now Available

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With Windows 7 unveiled during PDC Day 2 keynote, we also released Windows 7 Developer Guide. This is relatively a short guide outlining some of Windows 7’s main features as well highlighting the solid foundations Windows 7 is build upon. The goal of this document is to help developers plan for the near future by providing developers a clear picture of Windows 7’s new capabilities, and the scenarios developers can target in order to enhance their end users experiences for Windows 7 applications. For example, Scenic Ribbon (view at PDC ), Multi-Touch (view at PDC ), Libraries (view at PDC ), and Sensors and Locations (view at PDC ) are just few of Windows 7’s features developers can use to enhance their end users experiences. Please note, this document is not a full blown detailed description of the new APIs in Windows 7. In fact, this document does not contain any API references or code examples. All that good stuff will arrive sometime in the near future in future posts.

As you read through the developer guide you’ll notice three main parts: Solid Foundation, Richer Application Experiences, and The Best of Windows and the Web. Following that path while developing applications for Windows 7 is a very good practice, as Windows 7 leverages Windows Vista’s features and concepts. Next you can enhance your end user experiences with Ribbon, Multi-Touch, or integrating with Windows 7 new Taskbar (or any of other Windows 7 features). Finally, providing new services or leveraging exciting services that interact with your application add a whole new set of experiences for your end users.

Solid Foundation

Windows 7 provides a highly productive developer platform and tools that deliver on core operating system fundamentals. Windows 7 builds upon the Windows Vista platform, giving developers the power to build applications that are compatible with both platforms while limiting application compatibility issues. Windows 7 dramatically improves performance and power management so that you can create applications that optimize the mobile experience. As a result, your applications will be more visually appealing, easier to create, and support a wider range of international standards. Advances have also been made in global support, accessibility, and application deployment…. (Read more in the Windows 7 Developer Guide)

Richer Application Experiences

Windows 7 enables developers to create distinctive and intuitive applications that significantly enhance discoverability, usability, and sheer enjoyment. New methods of desktop integration put application functionality right at the user’s fingertips, and Windows Explorer and Libraries provide easy access to high-value information. The Scenic Ribbon control and animation framework make it easier to build interactive and appealing user interfaces. New touch APIs enable natural interactions through multi-touch and finger-panning, and manipulation and inertia APIs enable impressive visual effects… (Read more in the Windows 7 Developer Guide)

The Best of Windows and the Web

With Windows 7, it’s easy to get connected and stay connected. Windows networking offers developers options for better caching and sharing of data to improve network performance. Network diagnostics in Windows 7 give developers relevant information for monitoring network issues. Whether the goal is to connect devices, connect to a network, or simply understand the status of your connection, Windows 7 provides an enhanced platform… (Read more in the Windows 7 Developer Guide)

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    October 29, 2008
    If Windows 7 is now API complete, does this mean the APIs stated in the current revision of the developer guide is all of the new APIs?

  • Anonymous
    October 29, 2008
    My latest in a series of the weekly, or more often, summary of interesting links I come across related to Visual Studio. The Web Developer Team announced that the official IntelliSence documentation file, which provides Rich IntelliSense for jQuery ,

  • Anonymous
    November 01, 2008
    Thanks for releasing this, I've been reading it this morning and I'm very interested in the handwriting recognition possibilities - the maths example is beyond what I expected (but a very welcome addition for developers).