.NET Framework Library source code released |
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By Brian Eastwood, Site Editor
17 Jan 2008 | SearchWinDevelopment.com |
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The .NET Framework Library source code is now available for viewing, Microsoft has announced.
Programmers can now browse the source code in six categories of .NET Framework 3.5 libraries -- .NET base class libraries, ASP.NET, WinForms, Windows Presentation Foundation, ADO.NET and XML. "We are in the process of adding additional framework libraries (including LINQ, WCF and Workflow)," Scott Guthrie wrote in .NET Framework Library Source Code now available.
As SearchWinDevelopment.com reported in October, the .NET Framework Library source code release is for viewing purposes only -- that is, the underlying code cannot be changed. The benefit in viewing the underlying code is that it aids the process of code debugging.
It should also be noted that the free Visual Studio 2008 Express editions do not support the source code release.
Shawn Burke has a lengthy blog post that explains Configuring Visual Studio to debug .NET Framework source code. In a nutshell, that process involves installing a Visual Studio 2008 Hotfix, which updates a debugger DLL, and changing several settings. (Note: You'll need a Microsoft Connect account to download the Hotfix.)
Burke's post includes a separate FAQ section, which addresses topics such as what assemblies are available, how to set break points in .NET Framework code and what will happen when Service Packs and Hotfixes are released. On that last point, Burke indicated, "We haven't made any firm decisions on how often we'll publish source and are open to customer feedback on those issues."
In addition to Burke's blog post, Microsoft's Channel 9 features a video in which Daniel Moth walks views through debugging in the .NET Framework. The video lasts roughly 15 minutes.
MSDN has also opened a Reference Source Server Discussion forum that caters to questions about configuration Visual Studio 2008 to use the .NET Framework Library source code.
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