14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has made Service Pack 1 for .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows Server 2008 available for download. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is now live on the Microsoft Download Center. Weighing in at 2.8 MB, the service pack will offer a cumulative update to versions 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 of .NET Framework, not only delivering bug fixes but also introducing fresh features. On top of this, the cumulative release brings to the table servicing updates to the subcomponents of previous versions of .NET Framework.
With the availability of .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, Microsoft marks the delivery of ASP.NET Dynamic Data. In this regard developers will be able to take advantage of the new "rich scaffolding framework that enables rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support)," Microsoft revealed.
Additionally, the Redmond company ensured the evolution of the CLR (common language runtime), with the purpose of increasing the overall quality of .NET applications from improved layout of .NET Framework native images, to boosted startup performance, and even support for ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) if the proper Windows operating system is present. Better performance is also valid for WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation).
"ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web," the software giant added.
The Entity Framework features support for the recently released to manufacturing SQL Server 2008 and in this context, LINQ to SQL is also tailored to SQL Server 2008 with support for the date and file stream capabilities of the solution.
"Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications. The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008," Microsoft also revealed.
.NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is available for download here.