New Windows Azure SDK CTP Available for Download

On the first day of MIX09, Microsoft announced the evolution of its Cloud operating system. Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president, .NET Developer Platform, pointed out that Windows Azure developers testing the OS would be able to take advantage of new features including FastCGI, NET Full Trust and Geo-location, all of which would be added by the end of this week. At the same time, the Redmond company refreshed the tools designed to allow Windows Azure testers to build applications and services for Microsoft's Cloud. New versions of Windows Azure development resources are now available for download including the Windows Azure Software Development Kit (March 2009 CTP) and the Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio March 2009 CTP.

The March 2009 Customer technology preview for Windows Azure SDK is designed as a collection of APIs, tools, documentation, and samples set up to permit developers to build not just Internet-scale applications but also web services for Windows Azure.

“New in March 2009 CTP - Support for developing managed full trust applications. This includes support for calling native code via Platform Invocation Services (P/Invoke) and for spawning native processes. Support for developing FastCGI applications. Support for rewrite rules via IIS 7.0 URL Rewrite Module,” Microsoft revealed.

On top of the new Windows Azure SDK, the Redmond company is also offering developers the Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio March 2009 CTP, with a strong focus on catalyzing the creation of scalable services for Windows Azure. The Windows Azure Tools in fact include the Windows Azure SDK, the software giant informed. “New for the March 2009 CTP: combined installer includes the Windows Azure SDK, addressed top customer bugs, Native Debugging of Cloud Service Roles, FastCGI Project Template and Update Notifications of future releases,” Microsoft revealed.

Windows Azure Software Development Kit (March 2009 CTP) is available for download here.

Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio March 2009 CTP is available for download here.