Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook

When developers target a new platform, they often face the challenge of targeting the “what’s new” or “what’s different” when building applications. The reason for this is simple: things change. Often, features are added or improved and – in some cases – certain features removed entirely. It is the way platforms evolve over time and it’s up to us as developers to ensure that our applications account for these changes. Of course, platform vendors do their best to account for these changes by documenting them but sometimes, it’s not until after many applications have been built and used that these nuances become well-known amongst those in the broader developer community. The good news is that the Internet enables developers to share what they’ve learned about a new platform through mediums such as blogs, wikis and/or social networks. What’s better is when this documentation is formalized into a single location. Recently, we published v1.10 of the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook , providing developers with guidance on application compatibility, reliability, and performance. From the documentation:

This document provides you with the means to become familiar with how to verify the compatibility of your applications with the new operating system and provides an overview of the few known application incompatibility issues in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. More than that, it also points out differences in performance, reliability, and usability, and provides links to detailed white papers and other developer guidance.

The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook is great for developers wanting to get a quick reference on the impact, manifestation, solution and tests of changes introduced in these operating systems. This 94-page document lists 12 general compatibility topics, 12 topics on new features and enhancements, and 14 topics covering tools, best practices and guidance. It’s the last section (“Tools, Best Practices, and Guidance”) that’s particularly useful for developers. Here’s a list of what’s covered in this section:

• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5
• Compatibility Administrator
• Standard User Analyzer (SUA) Tool and Standard User Analyzer Wizard (SUA Wizard)
• Application Verifier
• Best Practices for On/Off Performance
• Preventing Memory Leaks in Windows Applications
• Preventing Hangs in Windows Applications
• Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)
• Windows Troubleshooting
• Windows Error Reporting Problem Steps Recorder
• Best Practices for Energy Efficiency
• Best Practices for Minimizing Unresponsive Services
• Windows 7 Client Software Logo Program
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo Program for Software

These topics provide an excellent overview for developers and should be classified under the “things-you-should-care-about” section of your mental to-do’s when building applications for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition to providing a detailed description, a list of best practices is covered with supporting links and resources for further reading.

For developers building applications for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, I would strongly recommend that you check out the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook. It’s excellent.

And don’t forget: We’ll be in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Montreal for the Building Awesome Apps for Windows 7 Community Tour:

If you can’t attend, make sure to check out the Building Awesome Apps for Windows 7 Simulcast with Kate Gregory on November 24th!

Register today!