Microsoft unveils .Net micro development kit

By Robert Jaques on Sep 28, 2006 10:23 AM
Filed under Software

Big things in small packages.

Microsoft has released a beta developer kit for the .Net Micro Framework, a new development platform for use with devices that are typically constrained by cost, memory, processor and power consumption.

The beta promises to extend the advantages of .Net and the Visual Studio toolset into a class of the smallest of devices.

The Framework grew out of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative at Microsoft for use on very small devices.

"The .Net Micro Framework is a natural extension of Microsoft's embedded offerings and provides a compelling, easy-to-use solution for developers," said Colin Miller, director of the .Net Micro Framework at Microsoft.

"We have utilised this platform with several projects at Microsoft and are excited to provide this kit to developers so they can use Microsoft tools to extend their skills to a set of smaller devices."

The managed code environment and Visual Studio integration promises to help increase efficiency and reliability in the embedded space, as well as providing PC emulation capabilities and on-device debugging within the Visual Studio IDE.