Drilling Down on the .Net 1.1 Connection

When Microsoft officially releases Windows Server 2003 Thursday, it will do so with .Net Framework 1.1 embedded in the operating system.

When Microsoft Corp. officially releases Windows Server 2003 Thursday, it will do so with .Net Framework 1.1 embedded in the operating system. But what does that give developers? According to some, very little. Thats because .Net Framework 1.1 does nothing in relation to the operating system code, they say. "There is a difference between a product that ships with the Common Language Runtime—which is the essence of .Net—and one that actually uses it," said one developer who requested anonymity. "Windows Server 2003 ships with .Net 1.1 but doesnt actually run any of its OS code within it."

Others say advantages exist, albeit subtle ones. They are "subtle but important," said Andrew Brust, president of New York-based Progressive Systems Consulting Inc. Not only is the step of having to install Framework eliminated, but the move "signals further institutionalization of the .Net Framework for Windows Server-based development," Brust said.

Barry Goffe, group manager of server platform marketing for Microsofts Windows Server System products, said, "Its not just about embedding the .Net Framework. We also have UDDI [the Universal Description, Discovery and Integration standard], plus the .Net Framework, plus additional management tools. Were adding on XML Web services into the product. Our message to customers is Windows 2003 is a world-class platform to build, deploy and manage Web services."

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