Applications playing nice with Windows 7 will also be compatible with Windows 8, Microsoft has stressed on a number of occasions. While this is true, it doesn’t change the fact that exceptions exist to every rule.
This is why the software giant is providing developers getting ready for the next major iteration of Windows with a resource designed to help them ensure that their existing apps are compatible with Windows 8.
The Windows 8 app compatibility cookbook
can be downloaded from the Redmond company free of charge.
As the official label reveals, the “Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview Compatibility Cookbook” is designed for both the client and server flavors of Windows 8 Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3).
“This document shows you how to verify that your apps are compatible with the new operating system and provides an overview of the few known application incompatibility issues in Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview,” the company notes.
“In addition, Microsoft is investing in several new and enhanced features to help you build higher quality apps and to troubleshoot when apps do not function properly on Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview.”
Early adopters testing Windows 8 can take advantage of both general compatibility guidance from Microsoft and information on the new features and enhancements the OS sports to make it easier for apps to be tailored to it.
I suspect that the vast majority of developers have seen the “Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview Compatibility Cookbook” come a mile away, especially if they already used resources such as the “Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Application Compatibility Cookbook” or the “Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook” in the past.
In fact, taking advantage of the Windows 8 App Compatibility Cookbook should not be all that different.
“Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview introduce the latest operating system technology and software development platforms for use by app developers and enterprises worldwide. As part of further enhancing the security, reliability, performance, and user experience of Windows, Microsoft has introduced many new features, improved existing features, and removed others,” the software giant said.
“While the goal of Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview is to stay highly compatible with most of their respective apps written for previously released operating system, some compatibility breaks are inevitable due to innovations, tightened security, and increased reliability. Overall, the compatibility of Windows and Windows Server Developer Preview with existing apps is high.”
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.
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