ASP.Net Framework 3.5 is Out !!!

[Rock]

Here's some good news for ASP.Net Developers

.NET Framework 3.5 builds incrementally on the new features added in .NET Framework 3.0. For example, feature sets in Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows CardSpace. In addition, .NET Framework 3.5 contains a number of new features in several technology areas which have been added as new assemblies to avoid breaking changes. They include the following:

* Deep integration of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness. This new feature will let you write code written in LINQ-enabled languages to filter, enumerate, and create projections of several types of SQL data, collections, XML, and DataSets by using the same syntax.
* ASP.NET AJAX lets you create more efficient, more interactive, and highly-personalized Web experiences that work across all the most popular browsers.
* New Web protocol support for building WCF services including AJAX, JSON, REST, POX, RSS, ATOM, and several new WS-* standards.
* Full tooling support in Visual Studio 2008 for WF, WCF, and WPF, including the new workflow-enabled services technology.
* New classes in .NET Framework 3.5 base class library (BCL) that address many common customer requests.

We'd be installing ASP.net 3.5 along with the current 1.1, 2.0 & 3.0 installed versions. That'd be an added plus-point feature in the Windows Server Hosting ...

[DPS Computing]

I've always wanted to have a play around with Windows hosting and the related programming language. I think I might open up a small shared account and see the potential benefits downsides. .

[flesso]

All I'm going to say is that Microsoft adding and changing parts of the .NET framework does no help for any of us. It just makes us loose precious time by making us go back and learn whats changed as well as the new stuff.

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by flesso

All I'm going to say is that Microsoft adding and changing parts of the .NET framework does no help for any of us. It just makes us loose precious time by making us go back and learn whats changed as well as the new stuff.

I can definitely agree and identify with this. I have gone through this with many other languages, both Microsoft and non-Microsoft based.

[eUK-Martin]

Yeah Josh, I too agree with you. Microsoft has made too many upgrades recently in a very short period of time and we are more to see with Server 2008.

If I was a developer I would really curse Microsoft for that.

[flesso]

Originally Posted by eUK-Martin

Yeah Josh, I too agree with you. Microsoft has made too many upgrades recently in a very short period of time and we are more to see with Server 2008.

If I was a developer I would really curse Microsoft for that.

I'm years behind - most of my work is still done in classic ASP because I know nothing is going to change with it.

[DPS Computing]

On a positive note, Windows Server 2008 is the best thing to come out of Microsoft since ever! A vast improvement!

[Rock]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

On a positive note, Windows Server 2008 is the best thing to come out of Microsoft since ever! A vast improvement!

Hopefully... I'm still waiting for it to get unleashed !

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by Rock

Hopefully... I'm still waiting for it to get unleashed !

Hehe, the joys of a technet subscription! - I've had it quite a while - 9/10 so far .

[jtyrrell]

Originally Posted by flesso

All I'm going to say is that Microsoft adding and changing parts of the .NET framework does no help for any of us. It just makes us loose precious time by making us go back and learn whats changed as well as the new stuff.

I do not understand the problem here.
All of the .NET Frameworks are mutually exclusive. You can have all of them installed on the server and use whichever one suits your needs.
So you can continue to host and develop for .NET 2.0 (or 1.1) at your leisure.
Microsoft have done a fantastic job by keeping up with modern trends in development and releasing a free upgrade to a free technology with a free IDE - Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition.
I for one am eagerly awaiting the 3.5 install on the servers.

[KellyJ]

Also, Visual Web Developer 2008 will allow you target whichever framework version you prefer to work with (e.g. 2.0, 3.x), and validate your code accordingly.

I agree with jtyrrell. There's no compulsion to 'upgrade' to the latest framework (though programmers probably will, to take advantage of new features). So, when I download Visual Web Developer 2008, I'll be able to continue developing my current projects for .Net 2.0 - very useful where you prefer to stay with that version, or where your host hasn't upgraded to 3.x yet - though Rock appears to indicate this will happen soon at eUKHost.

Rather than curse MS, ASP.Net developers are praising MS for continuing to make life easier with new features. But, as in all programming languages, there has to be some pain - the effort required to learn changes and new features.

Flesso will have an advantage in going from Classic ASP to ASP.Net - he can jump straight to the most recent version, without having to learn versions 1.x or 2.0!

James

[eUK-Martin]

Well James, your point is correct in one direction. But if you think in a situation where your client is asking to deploy 3.x in their codes and you work the best in 2.0.. If you are in position to upgrade that would not be a problem but if you are already working on several projects in 2.0.. you will start being annoyed by your client.

I am not a programmer and understand less when it comes to coding but too many upgrades in short period of time is not good. You make your self look stable/comfortable in some time after you upgrade and you come to know the new version is out again.

It looks good on paper but not practically.

Regarding the installation of 3.5 on eUK-Servers.. We might have it in new year.