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For those who can't wait to get their hands on SQL Server 2008, you can download this new patch for VS 2005. Can't wait for the team to get VS 2008 support out, I'm sure it will be soon ^_^

Download details: Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008

The latest architecture guidance for building Software+Services applications (consuming and running S+S applications will be part of further guidance) has been released!

This release extends LitwareHR, the reference S+S application, and provide guidance on the full spectrum of S+S (Client, Server, Service) as shown in the picture below:

Based on frequent requests, also included in the release is a new Multi-Tenant Database Performance Guide, which provides tests results and guidance to compare the performance and scalability of different extensibility patterns in multi-tenant SQL 2005 databases (extension tables vs. XML data types vs. fixed columns).

Architecture Challenges Demonstrated

· Designing a “back-end as a service”:

o Multi-tenancy vs. Isolation

o Application customization: metadata driven application for tenant extensions at the UI, business logic and data access layers.

o Performance and scalability of extensible, multi-tenant applications.

o Service Layer design: functional web services and meta-data web services to enable different consumption experiences (multi-head application)

o Claims based authorization

o Tenant resource provisioning

· Designing “front ends” for SaaS applications:

o Designing extensible web clients

o Smart Client with tenant customization, offline operations, claims based authorization and integration with local resources (Desktop search)

· Taking advantage of “Cloud Services”:

o Integration with Silverlight streaming from the UI (Web and Smart Client) and services layer (programmatic access).

· Performance assessment of database extensibility methods

o Using XML data types vs. fixed columns vs. extension tables with different loads, concurrent users and usage patterns (select vs. update vs. insert)

Release highlights

· LitwareHR enhancements highlights:

1. Platform upgrade. Updated LitwareHR v2.0 to run on Windows Sever 2008 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (Beta 2). This included leveraging new technologies like Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (ADSLDS), new management APIs and IIS7.

2. Data access performance improvement. Based on the results of the Multi-Tenant Database Performance test (see below) updated LitwareHR data access code and tables design.

3. Services Enhancements. Created new services leveraging Windows Communication Foundation 3.5 features to enable RSS & REST interfaces.

4. Silverlight Streaming mash-up.  Augmented LitwareHR services with Silverlight Streaming Services. Demonstrated in the “Submit Video Resume” feature.

5. Smart Client Application. Updated the original WPF based Smart Client showing consumption of LitwareHR functional and meta-data services even with offline support

6. Vista Gadget. Extended LitwareHR UX a Vista Gadgets consuming REST interfaces.

7. Improved guidance deployment. Moved from the old document  + readme + bunch of scripts approach to a 100% automated one, including dependencies checking and configuration.

· Multi-tenant Database Performance Guide:

1. Database extensibility patterns comparison: performance test results for common database extension methods: XML data types vs. Fixed columns vs. Extension tables.

2. Test Tools, Scripts and Documentation. In addition to the results of our own testing, we are shipping the tools, scripts and instructions for anybody to repro this tests in their own environments and conditions.

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The Web Service Software Factory: Modeling Edition (also known as the Service Factory) is an integrated collection of resources designed to help our customers quickly and consistently build WCF and ASMX Web services that adhere to well-known architecture and design patterns. These resources consist of models with code generation in the form of tools integrated with Visual Studio and patterns and architecture topics in the form of written guidance.
The Service Factory contains automation and guidance integrated into Visual Studio for building services. The core of the automation components is a Web services domain model. This domain model contains elements such as service contracts, operations, messages, and data contracts. This domain model manifests itself in the form of three integrated domain-specific languages (DSLs) that are used to model services: Service Contract Model, Data Contract Model, and the Host Model. The Service Contract Model is illustrated in the following screenshot.

Resources

• MSDN site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/servicefactory

This contains more high level information about the Service Factory: Modeling Edition.

• Community site: http://www.codeplex.com/servicefactory

The community site contains hands-on labs for both using and extending the Service Factory, discussion forums, known issues, and a more details on the roadmap. In the near future the site will include presentations, demonstration videos, and community contributions.

Information on patterns & practices

• Visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices/ to see the full line of existing patterns & practices and http://www.amazon.com/practices/ to order available hard copies.

Visual Studio 2008 enables customers to rapidly create connected applications on the latest platforms, including Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, the 2007 Office System, and the Web with the highest quality user experience for the each member of the development teams as well as the end user.

Visual Studio 2008 provides over 200 new features, including…

• Productivity: Improved language and data features that help developers gain greater productivity in creating modern software
• Collaboration: Expanded and improved offerings for software development teams, including tools for database professionals and greater collaboration between development organizations and graphic designers
• Platforms: Tools that speed creation of software and services on the latest platforms, including the Web, Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Windows Server 2008

The .NET Framework 3.5, based on proven technology, adds new features in several major technology areas including:

· Deep integration of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness throughout the runtime, compiler, and class libraries. This new feature will let code written in LINQ-enabled languages to filter, enumerate, and create projections of several types of collections using the same syntax.

· Integrated support for Web 2.0 AJAX style applications and services in ASP.NET and Windows Communication Foundation. Providing customers with direct support of REST/POX and JSON support within in their ASP.NET applications.

· New workflow-enabled services technology provides customers with improved and long-running services by adding new Windows Workflow Foundation and Windows Communication Foundation tools to simplify building workflow-enabled services.

· Additions to the base class library (BCL) to address some of the most common customer needs, including integration with Event Tracking for Windows and new add in hosting model for extensibility.

Visual Studio 2008 is designed to help developers and development teams to breakthrough their development challenges.  Learn more here http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/default.aspx.

Fresh from MS Corp...  Link to the white paper on MSDN here.

I came across this interesting article “Building Distributed Applications - A Comparison of the Top Four Enterprise-Architecture Methodologies” http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb466232.aspx. Take a look if you are into enterprise architecture....