Microsoft is gearing up to start building the next generation of the software development kit for the Windows platform. In July 2008, Sarah Maurer, program manager on the Windows SDK Team, introduced two official surveys designed to tap the developers making use of the tools but also samples, header files, documentation and libraries collectively referred to as the software development kit, as to the new and existing features they would want, or want to see improved. With the prior pair of surveys still live and opened to all contributors, Microsoft has debuted yet another initiative designed to gather feedback on the Windows SDK.

"The purpose of this survey is to gather information about who our Windows SDK customers are. This information will help us to improve the current SDK and create new features for future SDKs. We would like to ask you to share about how you use the Windows SDK by taking part in this survey. It should take about 10 minutes to complete," reads a fragment from the introductory message of the survey.

Obviously, the Redmond company is looking to advance the SDK with the main focus on the Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, and the future Windows 7 and Windows 7 Server operating systems. This is not to say that previous Windows releases such as Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are ignored. However, out of all the Windows/Platform SDKs, as Vista and Windows Server 2008 adoption continues to increase, emphasis is bound to fall on the Windows SDK for Server 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 and the Windows SDK for Windows Vista and .NET Framework 3.0.

"Please spend 5 minutes to help us understand how you use the Windows SDK. This NEW survey is 15 multiple choice questions about how you use the Windows SDK," Maurer added. As far as the existing centralized input is concerned, Microsoft revealed that Windows SDK users are indicating the need for enhanced documentation and improved samples. However, the need for evolution is also felt in respect to the setup process and the tools offered as an integral part of the SDK.

When permitted to provide feedback on the new features that need to be integrated into future versions of the Windows SDK, developers still chose documentation over anything else, but also stressed the need for new tools, samples, a PowerShell build environment, and integration with non-Microsoft developing solutions and environments.

Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 can be downloaded from here.
Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Update for Windows Vista 6.0 is available for download here.