REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 22, 2003 — Converging on Los Angeles from around the world, a record-breaking number of software developers are expected for the 10th Microsoft® Professional Developers Conference (PDC) next week. The conference provides an inside track on the latest Microsoft software platform technologies. Attendees will receive early code and the opportunity to learn about forthcoming product releases such as the next version of Visual Studio® , code-named “Whidbey”; the upcoming version of SQL Server (TM) , code-named “Yukon”; and the next major release of Microsoft Windows®
, code-named “Longhorn.”
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates and executives Jim Allchin, Eric Rudder, Gordon Mangione and Rick Rashid are among those scheduled to deliver keynote presentations discussing topics such as Microsoft’s vision for the next wave of computing and the latest platform innovations for developers.
The conference will offer developers more than 140 sessions designed to provide in-depth information on developments in areas such as Web services, language and tools enhancements, infrastructure advancements, security, mobile applications, tools, and smart client applications. The technical sessions will allow developers to gain deep insight into Microsoft’s next wave of platform technology and tools, and give them access to the Microsoft engineers building these key elements of the platform, as well as access to early previews of the code.
In addition, Microsoft also will hold symposia on both security and enterprise architecture. The security symposium will discuss secure coding practices and give developers insight into Microsoft’s ongoing security investments, with speakers including Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business Unit at Microsoft, and Michael Howard, director of Corporate Security at Microsoft and co-author of “Writing Secure Code.” The architecture symposium will discuss challenges and opportunities for architects building applications in the next wave of computing, and address topics such as Web services and service-oriented architectures.
PDC pre-event buzz already is receiving extensive attention in weblogs, with some 200 bloggers participating through PDC Bloggers ( http://pdcbloggers.net/ ), a clearinghouse for bloggers interested in PDC and associated technologies. PDC Bloggers serves as a place where bloggers can connect, whether or not they are attending PDC in person. Widespread blogger coverage is expected throughout PDC, as well as on MSDN®
.
In addition, Microsoft recognized Borland Software Corp., HP and Intel Corp for participating as Platinum-level sponsors of the 2003 Microsoft PDC.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Visual Studio, Windows and MSDN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .