All Good Things
Tue, 03 Sep 2019 10:00:00 GMT
They say all good things must come to an end. Now, after 33 years providing hands-on guidance to Microsoft developers, MSDN Magazine will be shutting down after its November issue.
The Feynman Technique
Thu, 01 Aug 2019 10:00:00 GMT
Ask MSDN Magazine authors why they write for the magazine, and they’ll tell you that it helps them master new technologies and concepts. It’s an approach reminiscent of the Feynman technique, which offers a simple trick for mastering complex topics: Try and teach it to a child.
Unification Theory
Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:00:00 GMT
.NET 5 unifies .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Xamarin and Mono into a single framework. What does .NET 5 mean for your development efforts going forward?
A Failure of Process
Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:00:00 GMT
One of the emerging lessons of the 737 MAX catastrophe is that a process is only as good as the people and the institutions that execute it.
Flight of Failure
Wed, 01 May 2019 10:00:00 GMT
Commercial aviation has become significantly—even remarkably—safer over the past 30 years, but when accidents do happen, it’s often at the intersection of automated systems and the pilots who command them. Now the investigation into the crash of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is producing hard questions and even harder lessons about the role of software and automation in flight.
Adapting to Machine Learning
Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:00:00 GMT
Geoffrey Hulten’s feature on machine learning patterns and practices addresses an important flank for developers increasingly engaged with machine learning and AI.
Naked Ambition
Fri, 01 Mar 2019 10:00:00 GMT
Ted Neward's ongoing exploration of the Naked Objects pattern offers a glimpse into object-oriented programming the way it was meant to be.
Six More Weeks of What?
Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:00:00 GMT
With magical, weather-prognosticating rodents once again seizing control of our climate, Michael Desmond returns with a few fresh predictions from the team of contributing editors at MSDN Magazine.
Advancing AI
Wed, 02 Jan 2019 10:00:00 GMT
The January issue of MSDN Magazine offers a focus on machine learning and artificial intelligence, and explores advancing toolsets like the PyTorch low-level neural network library and the .NET-friendly ML.NET framework.
December Is for Developers
Wed, 19 Dec 2018 10:00:00 GMT
The Connect(); conference is part of a larger conversation between Microsoft and its developer community. This special issue of MSDN Magazine explores the vision Microsoft has articulated and how it will impact developers.
End of an Era
Sat, 01 Dec 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Ted Neward started his tour of JavaScript development with the MEAN stack way back in 2015. Three years later he's closing the books on MongoDB, Angular and Node.js. Here's what he's learned.
Sensors in Sports: A Dive Into Applied Machine Learning
Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Back in April we published our first Sensors in Sports feature, recounting Microsoft’s work with the U.S. Olympic Ski Team to improve training using sensor telemetry and AI. Now our second article in the series look at Microsoft’s work with the U.S. Olympic Diving Team.
Open Soars
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Believe it or not, there was a time when Microsoft wasn’t entirely on board with this open source software thing. Crazy, right? But with nearly 2,000 projects on GitHub—including behemoths like .NET Framework and Xamarin—Microsoft has emerged as a leader in the open source space.
.NET in the Browser
Sat, 01 Sep 2018 10:00:00 GMT
The ASP.NET Blazor project aims to do what efforts like Silverlight could not—enable developers to write .NET-based Web apps for the browser without a plug-in.
Cover of the Rolling Stone
Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:00:00 GMT
MSDN Magazine offers talented developers a platform to share their hard-won insights with the community. Do you have an innovative solution or approach that can help developers in their jobs? We'd love to hear about it.
Mastering Blockchain
Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Our coverage of blockchain technology continues, with Stefano Tempesta's look at Azure Blockchain as a Service.
Our Intelligent Future
Fri, 01 Jun 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Artificial Intelligence was front and center at last month's Build conference. What's behind Microsoft's effort to turn every developer into an AI developer?
Improving UWP
Tue, 01 May 2018 10:00:00 GMT
Andrew Whitechapel's lead feature in this month's issue offers insight into important changes made to the Universal Windows Platform, and provides a glimpse at Microsoft's plans for UWP going forward.
100
Sun, 01 Apr 2018 10:00:00 GMT
April in the US is known most for two things: taxes and April Fool’s Day. So it’s appropriate that this month would mark the one-hundredth column by esteemed columnist and serial instigator David Platt.
Chain of Demand
Thu, 01 Mar 2018 10:00:00 GMT
The blockchain technologies behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin hold immense promise for activities like digital transactions and asset verification. But developers face challenges in a fast-moving sector.
Groundhog Day
Thu, 01 Feb 2018 10:00:00 GMT
February may be the shortest month, but it’s the best time of the year for weather-predicting rodents. Columnists at MSDN Magazine decide to join the fun with some mid-winter predictions of their own.
Going to Graph
Mon, 01 Jan 2018 10:00:00 GMT
It's been a challenge since forever. How do you unlock the data created in and captured by productivity applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and OneNote? And how do you link up and imbue that data with context, so it can be interpreted, leveraged and consumed? It's a question Microsoft has answered in the form of Microsoft Graph.
Coming Up Connect();
Fri, 15 Dec 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Artificial intelligence, DevOps, and cross-platform development were all on display at the Microsoft Connect(); 2017 event in November. This special issue of MSDN Magazine explores the tools, technologies and techniques highlighted at the conference.
Hamburger Helper
Fri, 01 Dec 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Jerry Nixon's feature this month on the new XAML NavigationView control opens the door to a larger discussion--the future of XAML as Microsoft works to unify its UX markup language.
Get Smart
Wed, 01 Nov 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Frank La Vigne's new Artificially Intelligent column explores the fast-moving arena of machine learning and AI.
Misprint
Sun, 01 Oct 2017 10:00:00 GMT
To quote musician Paul Simon, we live in an age of miracle and wonder. And yet, I can't make my printer behave.
Hard Core: Focus on .NET Core 2.0 and .NET Standard 2.0
Fri, 01 Sep 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Version 2.0 of Microsoft's cross-platform ,NET pivot changes everything. Join us as we explore .NET Core 2.0, ASP.NET Core 2.0, and .NET Standard 2.0.
MEAN Machine
Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:00:00 GMT
The Working Programmer column has been exploring the MongoDB, Express, Angular and Node.js (MEAN) stack since August 2015. Ted Neward talks about his two years with MEAN and what to expect next.
Machine Learning Goes Mainstream
Sat, 01 Jul 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Machine learning isn't just for researchers and data scientists anymore. The July issue of MSDN Magazine highlights the tooling and platforms that are bringing machine learning to the masses.
Grokking Git
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Git is a powerful, decentralized version control system and repo, but developers face a learning curve if they want to take full advantage of its capabilities.
Build Quality
Mon, 01 May 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Build 2017 promises to set the agenda for Microsoft's development efforts for the next year and beyond. What can we expect from the event?
The Things We Leave Behind
Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:00:00 GMT
The Internet of Things has a burgeoning ownership lifecycle problem, and once again the auto industry is helping lead the way.
Betting on Bots
Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft has been pushing hard on bots and what it calls 'conversation as a platform.' What does it mean for developers?
Our Serverless Future
Wed, 01 Feb 2017 10:00:00 GMT
The march toward a services-dominated future continues, as serverless approaches change the way applications are written and deployed.
Outside In: How Kenny Kerr Brought C++/WinRT to Microsoft
Sun, 01 Jan 2017 10:00:00 GMT
This month Kenny Kerr writes about C++/WinRT, the standard C++ language projection for Windows Runtime that he created outside of Microsoft and now works on internally as part of the Windows team.
The Internet of Pwned Things
Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Some of the worst fears about securing the Internet of Things were realized in October, when millions of compromised devices mounted the largest DDOS attack in history.
Reconnect
Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:00:00 GMT
It's been two years since the first Microsoft Connect(); conference, which plotted a course toward cross-platform, open source, mobile and cloud. This year's Connect(); event sees Microsoft redoubling its efforts.
We Come from the Future
Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Maybe the future ain't what it used to be. But with Microsoft HoloLens, Bot Framework and Cognitive Services, it promises to be something else.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Sat, 01 Oct 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Monty Python and the Holy Grail may be the funniest movie ever made. It also offers surprising wisdom for developers.
Our Virtual Future
Thu, 01 Sep 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Depending on who you ask, Pokemon Go is either destroying civilization or heralding its progression. Either way, the game is revealing the challenge facing virtual, augmented and mixed reality applications.
DevOps Directive
Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Writing good software is hard. Managing the process of writing, maintaining and delivering good software is even harder. Which is why DevOps is such a hot topic at Microsoft right now.
Bad Medicine
Fri, 01 Jul 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Over 18 months from 1985 to 1987, the Therac-25 radiation therapy system overdosed six patients, killing at least two. And poor software design was directly at fault.
Cognitive Bias
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Author Upton Sinclair perhaps said it best when he wrote: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
Going Solid
Sun, 01 May 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Old habits die hard, and old training even harder. Hidden among the lessons of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident was the role that received wisdom from another domain had in the meltdown of the reactor.
Build's Bold Direction
Fri, 01 Apr 2016 10:00:00 GMT
Cross-platform development is top of mind this year at the annual Build conference, with .NET Core, Visual Studio Tools for Cordova, and the Xamarin purchase announcement all hot topics at the event.
Chasing Fogbank
Tue, 01 Mar 2016 10:00:00 GMT
What happens when technical knowledge is lost? The United States government found out when it realized that it had lost the formula to a critical component for its nuclear stockpile. Are there lessons here for the software world?
MEAN Streak
Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:00:00 GMT
For the past several months, Working Programmer columnist Ted Neward has been writing about MongoDB, Express, AngularJS and Node.js—collectively known as the MEAN stack. Is it time for your development to get MEAN?
Go Big or Go Home
Fri, 01 Jan 2016 10:00:00 GMT
MSDN Magazine kicks off the new year with a deep-dive into the powerful new platforms, languages and tools enabling Big Data development.
Goodbye, Kenny
Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:00:00 GMT
Long-time Windows with C++ columnist Kenny Kerr is leaving our pages to join the Windows engineering team with Microsoft, where he will be working on C++ and the Windows Runtime.
Welcome Essential .NET
Sun, 01 Nov 2015 10:00:00 GMT
Mark Michaelis has written two of the most widely-read articles published by MSDN Magazine over the past five years. Now he joins the publication as author of the new Essential .NET column.
Chain of Disaster
Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:00:00 GMT
Fraught with high stakes and increasing complexity over time, the discipline of computer security has more than a little in common with airline flight safety.
The Road from 3.0
Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:00:00 GMT
A quarter century ago, Microsoft released Windows 3.0 and changed the direction of the PC industry. Might Windows 10, the third iteration of Microsoft's new-look OS, do the same?
The Internet of Car Wrecks
Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:00:00 GMT
A pair of hackers recently demonstrated how they could remotely hijack--via cellular links--the controls of a new Jeep Cherokee using Chrysler's UConnect infotainment system. How is stuff like this even happening?
The Importance of Play
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 10:00:00 GMT
From back-end development in Azure to cross-platform development in Unity and Cordova, game developers are facing—and solving—many of the same challenges that vex their business-minded counterparts.
MSDN Magazine Reader Survey: Who We Are
Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:00:00 GMT
The bi-annual MSDN Magazine reader survey offers an opportunity to explore the changing face of our developer readership.
Defragmenting Windows
Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft has unveiled a bold new vision for developers, in the form of the Unified Windows Platform, that presents a common set of APIs for Windows apps running on all manner of devices.
Editor's Note - Introducing Upstart
Fri, 01 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT
The times they are a-changin', and Microsoft understands that it needs to change with them, too. The challenge: Capture the attention and loyalty of young developers who best know Windows as that operating system their parents use at work.
Editor's Note - Fished Out
Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:00:00 GMT
The Lenovo Superfish fiasco is a cautionary tale about a trusted enterprise computing company that should have known better.
Editor's Note - Not Your Father’s .NET Framework
Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:00:00 GMT
This month, MSDN Magazine dives into key innovations in the .NET Framework, including an exploration of the latest version of ASP.NET.
Editor's Note - Analyze This
Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:00:00 GMT
The new .NET Compiler Platform (aka 'Roslyn') technology that is part of the Visual Studio 2015 Preview is already doing some pretty cool things. This month, we dive into Live Code Analyzers.
Editor's Note - Back to Basic
Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:00:00 GMT
Lucian Wischik's '14 Top Improvements to Visual Basic 14' leads off this month's issue, and for good reason. Microsoft has performed a ground up rework of the #2 .NET programming language, and the improvements are striking.
Editor's Note - Building on Connect();
Fri, 02 Jan 2015 10:00:00 GMT
The Visual Studio 2015 and Microsoft Azure special issue of MSDN Magazine offers a glimpse at the broad and deep innovation unveiled at the Microsoft Connect(); event in New York City.
Editor's Note - The Greatest Game of All Time
Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:00:00 GMT
The future was on full display in 1978, when a little game called Mattel Electronics Football revolutionized personal, portable game play, and foretold the grip that handheld devices like smartphones would eventually have on our lives.
Editor's Note - Putting Async to the Test
Mon, 03 Nov 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Unit testing asynchronous code poses a variety of challenges, which may trip up unsuspecting developers. This month’s issue can get you up to speed.
Editor's Note - Arrivals and Departures
Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Charles Petzold is stepping down as a columnist at MSDN Magazine to work at Xamarin.
Editor's Note - Six Degrees of Live! 360
Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:00:00 GMT
From editors to authors, MSDN Magazine has plenty of ties to the Visual Studio Live! and Live! 360 developer conference events.
Editor's Note - Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Bloom County
Fri, 01 Aug 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Back in March, Michael Desmond wrote about the lessons the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes has to offer working developers. This month, Desmond seeks wisdom in Berkely Breathed's comic strip, Bloom County.
Editor's Note - Introducing Azure Web Sites Services
Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft has been very busy of late improving the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This issue of MSDN Magazine explores how developers can leverage the improved capabilities of Azure Web Sites.
Editor's Note - Bleeding Heart
Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:00:00 GMT
The Heart Bleed vulnerability in OpenSSL makes clear an inescapable truth: Software is only as good as the people who write and review it.
Editor's Note - Building Bridges
Thu, 01 May 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Last month's Build Conference set the agenda for Microsoft developers for years to come.
Editor's Note - Survey Says
Tue, 01 Apr 2014 10:00:00 GMT
The 2013 MSDN Magazine Reader Survey offers an insightful snapshot of our readership and provides a glimpse of the trends shaping the dev space during a time of transition for Microsoft.
Editor's Note - Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Calvin and Hobbes
Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:00:00 GMT
The Calvin and Hobbes comic strip offers surprising wisdom for software developers, from the elegant genius of the Transmogrifier to the convoluted security around the clubhouse tree fort.
Editor's Note - Conference Calling
Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft will hold its Build conference for developers again in San Francisco, April 2-4. Michael Desmond expects developers will get a lot out of the show--even if they can't manage to get in.
Editor's Note - Conference Calling
Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft will hold its Build conference for developers again in San Francisco, April 2-4. Michael Desmond expects developers will get a lot out of the show--even if they can't manage to get in.
Editor's Note - WinJS Takes the Next Step
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 10:00:00 GMT
This month Eric Schmidt explores error handling in the Windows Library for JavaScript, also known as WinJS.
Editor's Note - In Praise of Entity Framework 6
Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Julie Lerman's feature on Entity Framework 6 reveals that developers have a lot to be excited about with the latest version of Microsoft's object-relational mapping framework.
Editor's Note - Standing on Principle
Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:00:00 GMT
MSDN Magazine contributor Jason Bock says about half of the developers he polls during presentations fail to employ unit testing or other core development principles in their projects.
Editor's Note - Whiskey, Keys and Software
Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:00:00 GMT
P.J. O'Rourke famously compared government to teenage boys. Could the Digital Government Strategy be a sign that the teenagers are growing up?
Editor's Note - Microsoft Swings Its Web Sword
Tue, 01 Oct 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft's Katana project aims to turn framework-based model of application development on its ear. Howard Dierking offers insight into what developers can expect from Microsoft's OWIN-based effort.
Editor's Note - Standing Down
Mon, 02 Sep 2013 10:00:00 GMT
A year after moving to a standing desk, Michael Desmond is back in the chair. And he's not happy about it.
Editor's Note - A Better Windows 8
Thu, 01 Aug 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft has a long history of investing in strategic technologies, even in the face of early struggles. Which is why the Windows 8.1 Preview release at the Build 2013 conference was so very important.
Editor's Note - Dev/Test in the Cloud
Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Why Microsoft thinks Azure is poised to win over developers with its flexible solutions for supporting dev and test in the cloud.
Editor's Note - Unbridled Expectations
Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:00:00 GMT
The world is amazing and nobody is happy. Why comedian Louis C.K.'s observation on human nature applies so strongly to software development.
Editor's Note - Design Matters
Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT
In the era of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, developers can't afford to ignore the importance of design anymore
Editor's Note - Patterns in Practice
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Check out the new Patterns in Practice on the MSDN Magazine Web site.
Editor's Note - Developing Apps for Office
Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT
The Apps for Office platform represents an important change in the way apps are developed for the Office suite.
Editor's Note - Inside Modern Apps
Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Rachel Appel's new Modern Apps column will guide developers into building compelling Windows Store apps.
Editor's Note - The X Factor
Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:00:00 GMT
Charles Petzold rebrands his ongoing column to explore DirectX and the world of native development in Windows Runtime.
Editor's Note - Welcome Azure Insider
Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Editor's Note - Standing Up
Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Michael Desmond continues to document his move to a standing desk at work.
Editor's Note - All Eyes on Windows 8
Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Welcome to the Windows 8 special edition of MSDN Magazine.
Editor's Note - Cutting Edge
Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Dino Esposito has been writing for MSDN Magazine and its predecessors since 1996. Michael Desmond talks with the popular Cutting Edge columnist.
Editor's Note - Visual Studio 2012: The Next Big Thing
Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Visual Studio 2012 is another important update of the Microsoft flagship IDE.
Editor's Note - On Point with Julie Lerman
Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Michael Desmond profiles Data Points columnist Julie Lerman.
Editor's Note - The Long Test Run
Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Over the years, McCaffrey has proposed, written and reviewed innumerable article concepts. And, no surprise, he has some pointed thoughts on what makes an idea worthy of publication.
Editor's Note - Old Soldiers Never Die
Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft has announced that it has extended support for the Visual Basic 6 runtime to Windows 8. What makes classic VB such a compelling development platform?
Editor's Note - MSDN Magazine Welcomes ScriptJunkie
Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT
MSDN Magazine has added Microsoft's popular Script Junkie site for cross-browser Web development to its growing online portfolio.
Editor's Note - More of What You Came For
Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT
MSDN Magazine's expanded Web coverage includes in-depth tutorials and monthly columns like Rachel Appel's Web Dev Report and Bruno Terkaly's Azure Insider.
Editor's Note - What You Want
Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT
It's a serious challenge, balancing coverage of important new tools and technologies with those developers rely on every day.
Editor's Note - Calling out the Client
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT
John Papa returns to MSDN Magazine with his new column on the fast-changing arena of rich client development technologies and platforms.
Editor's Note - A Quarter Century and Counting
Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT
For 25 years, Charles Petzold has been writing about software development in the pages of MSDN Magazine, going back to the very first issue of Microsoft Systems Journal.
Editor's Note - 31 Days of Mango
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT
Editor's Note - A Game of Risk
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:00 GMT
Microsoft's Windows Runtime announced at the BUILD Conference in September aims to broaden the definition of the Windows developer.
Editor's Note - Thinkin' About Async
Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT
The addition of asynchronous programming support to C# and Visual Basic marks the latest in a series of important evolutionary steps for Microsoft's flagship managed programming languages.
Editor's Note - 'Mango': Innovation from the Inside Out
Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT
Michael Desmond's first Editor's Note looks to the broad implications of the Windows Phone 7 'Mango' update.