14 DAY TRIAL // The installation of an application programing interface will help developers speed up Visual Studio 2010, according to Microsoft.
The Redmond company noted that the on computers with the Windows Automation API 3.0 installed, the latest iteration of its development platform will run faster, simply because of the API’s presence.
However, this is only valid for older releases of Windows. Both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 include the Windows Automation API 3.0 by default.
Still, this is good news for devs running earlier releases of Windows, such as Windows Vista or Windows XP, which can easily squeeze extra performance out of Visual Studio 2010.
“Applications that use Windows Automation APIs can significantly decrease Microsoft Visual Studio IntelliSense performance if Windows Automation API 3.0 is not installed,” Microsoft explained.
“For example, the Windows pen and touch services can significantly decrease Visual Studio IntelliSense performance if Windows Automation API 3.0 is not installed.
“This update is available as a stand-alone download for 32-bit editions of Windows XP and for Windows Server 2003. This update is not available for 64-bit editions of Windows XP.
“The Windows Automation API is a component of the platform update for Windows Vista and of the platform update for Windows Server 2008,” the company noted.
Microsoft is providing the Windows Automation API library to enable developers to build a range of accessibility tools, but also to test automations, and pen services in relation to the standard user interface in various Windows versions.
As far as Windows XP SP2 is concerned, users will first need to make the jump to Service Pack 3 before they will be able to install the API.
“If you're running Vista or Windows Server 2008 you may already have the upgrade, since it's part of the automatic updates,” noted David Berg, the head of Microsoft's Developer Division Performance Engineering team.
“The problem is that earlier versions of the Windows Automation API try to read the entire contents of list boxes that we post to the screen, which blocks us from virualizing them,” he explained.
“This is particularly a problem with intellisense as the number of items in an intellisense list is HUGE and it pops up on every character you type.”
Berg explained that the application programming interface is automatically activated in the context in which users connect accessibility devices, but also pen / tablet computers, touch devices, and even devices such as iPhone that require synchronization.
Windows Automation API 3.0 download links:
Download the Update for Windows Server 2003 for x86-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows Server 2003 for x64-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 for x86-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 for x64-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows Vista for x86-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows Vista for x64-based systems package now.
Download the Update for Windows XP for x86-based systems package now.
Visual Studio 2010 Premium is available for download here.
Visual Studio 2010 Professional is available for download here.
Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate is available for download here.
Visual Studio Test Professional 2010 is available for download here.
.NET Framework 4 RTM is available for download here.