Request free Code Samples from Microsoft and the Community

Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework is providing a code sample request function.  This is a proactive way for our Developer community to obtain code samples for certain programming tasks directly from Microsoft.

The service was hosted on CodePlex.  Today, we migrate the service to the MSDN Samples Gallery platform.  Developers are encouraged to submit code sample requests dealing with any Microsoft development technologies and any programming languages to the MSDN Sample Request Forum (https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/site/requests).  At the same time, Developers can vote for newly submitted or existing code sample topics. Here’s the exciting part!  In this active Developer community, your code request may be quickly resolved by the strong MVPs and other community members.  Microsoft engineers will also pick the requests with high number of votes and provide the code samples, free of charge.
 

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We have a few suggestions for you in order that your request can be served at the earliest.

1. Before you open a new request, we suggest that you quickly search among existing code sample requests and vote them up.  

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In addition, the MSDN Samples Gallery has provided over 5000 code samples.  A quick search in this big sample repository may give you surprises.

2. Please be specific about what the code sample is going to demonstrate.  Here is an example of a good sample request: 

"I want a code sample that demonstrates how to crop images in Windows Store apps”.

General sample requests such as “I want more code samples for Windows 8” will require more back-and-forth clarification before our engineer can understand the actual sample requirement and start to produce samples.

3. If possible, please provide some proof that this sample is needed by many developers.  The team prioritizes to produce samples that can benefit more people.  You may share the business impact of the code sample, or share the forum threads that are discussing the topic.  For example,

"I want a code sample that demonstrates how to crop images in Windows Store apps.  Many people are asking how to do this in the MSDN forum.  For example, https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winappswithcsharp/thread/f4c64fcc-137c-48a1-8ccf-edefb80486fb, https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winappswithcsharp/thread/490b9c01-db4b-434f-8aff-d5c495e67e55 and https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winappswithcsharp/thread/1d9c0fc8-65a2-442f-acf3-f75ed776bcfe".

 

How are you prioritizing the sample requests?

The higher the sample request is voted, the higher priority will the team offer to handle, write and publish the code sample.

Besides the Sample Request Service, Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework is also featured by creating samples for frequently asked programming tasks in MSDN forums and Microsoft support calls.  The team prioritizes to handle your code sample requests over the sample topics collected from forums, in order to give you a better and faster service experience.

Meanwhile, with the launch of many new Microsoft products such as Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Office 2013, etc, we prioritize to handle requests for these new products.

 

What happens after I submit a sample request?

Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework Team is monitoring the sample request forum everyday.  Meanwhile, we have a very active and strong Developer community in MSDN.  MVPs and community members may share their samples to help you.

If the sample request gets more than 2 votes, and no code sample is posted to resolve the sample request, Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework engineers will start to handle the request.  They will first clarify the request with you when necessary, and research to see if any existing samples can answer your requirement.  If none of the existing samples can help, the team will submit the sample topic to the field experts at Microsoft and triage the sample topic:

  • Is the sample going to demonstrate recommended practices from Microsoft?  (We will surely not demonstrate any hacking solutions Smile)
  • Can the request be resolved with less than 50 lines of code?  If the request can be resolved with a few lines of code, we will post the lines of code directly in your sample request, instead of creating a complete, downloadable code sample package.
  • Does the sample topic involve any 3rd party solutions?  If the solution requires the use of 3rd party components, please understand that it will be hard for us to make the demonstration.
  • Is the sample topic too sophisticated and more like a product feature or control/component request?  We can help to route it to the relevant product team.

The field experts are Microsoft Escalation Engineers and the Product Group members.  If the sample request is declined by the field experts, we will share the reason of the decision, and expect your understanding.

Next, Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework engineers will start to produce the code sample.  We will not keep you waiting for the complete sample.  You will receive “code snippets” from our engineers for your instant needs.  The code sample will be tested by our testers, and reviewed by the field experts before publishing.

Throughout the process, the Microsoft All-In-One Code Framework engineers will keep you updated about the request status every few days.  If you have any feedback, please email onecode@microsoft.com.

 

Acknowledgement

By taking this opportunity, the All-In-One Code Framework team wants to thank Don Totten and his MSDN Samples Gallery team for creating the Sample Request Forum, and making it possible for us to launch the Sample Request Service program.