That means XP is an important step not only for users, but for developers. Windows will simply install competing DLLs in different directories to keep them from one another's throats. Weird, but true. Even more weird, in initial beta 2 testing, I found this operating system to be at least as reliable as Windows 2000. Naturally, this strategy isn't all-encompassing, but it does mean a real step forward for Microsoft.
Assemblies encompass ground-floor functionality such as bindings, configurations and versions.
Similar to isolated versus open applications, developers can build private or shared assemblies with the former being visible only to a specific application, while the latter is available for use by multiple apps. The beauty part of an isolated application is that developers are no longer held hostage to either application updates from competing or related applications or, worse, those highly inconsistent system patches dealt out by Microsoft to fix operating-system bugs and other system patch bugs. In addition, Windows XP is supposed to be built from a single source tree covering both Win32 and Win64, which means it may eventually become the transitional platform for those struggling from 32 bits to 64. Now if only Intel can get that Itanium out of the basement, we could make some real strides. Click here for a complete listing of Windows Watch Columns.