Jan 25

Written by:
2009/01/25 11:44 AM 

There is a lot of hype about the benefits of open source tools out there. Tools such as PHP, MySQL, and the cost of ownership. Traditionally these have been in the hands of many young aspiring developers, looking to make their mark in the world of computing and programming, but lack the funds to pay for professional tools.

Microsoft has generally taken much flack for its expensive tools. It matters not if the tools are far superior, what matters is if you can afford those great tools. A great tools only works if you can use it. Tools like MSSQL and Visual Studio have been and still are very expensive. So many have in the past chosen to go to the free tools such as PHP and MySQL.

Microsoft has learnt that the best way to make sure that people will keep buying products is to get them into the hands of young people. These are the people who probably could not afford such tools. This means offering the Express versions of its Visual Studio and SQL Server tools free to developers.

This shows Microsoft’s acknowledgement that people are not willing to invest their time learning a product that they will eventually have to pay more for then they have funds available or earmarked, especially young people.

"Software has the potential to transform everyday lives," said S. "Soma" Somasegar, corporate vice president of the Developer Division at Microsoft. By making the Visual Studio Express editions available free of charge, we're putting the power of code into the hands of an exploding community of recreational programmers. This community has asked for it, and we are excited to provide it."

The Express versions are:

• Visual Basic Express

• C# Express

• C++ Express

• Visual Web Developer Express.

• MS SQL Express

You can find these for download at the Microsoft Site.

Microsoft also have some great tutorials and lessons on programming with these Free tools. Don't be mistaken, these tools have great functionality, and you can create some fantastic apps using these tools. In actual fact you probably could make money using the free Express editions of VS.

Also a noted mention goes to Microsoft's, XNA Game Studio. Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express is a revolutionary new tool set and technology which makes creating great video games for Windows-based PC’s and the Xbox 360 console (with an active XNA Creators Club subscription) easier than ever. XNA Game Studio Express enables hobbyists, academics, and small, independent game developers to easily create video games for Windows and the Xbox 360 console using optimized cross-platform gaming libraries based on .NET. You can

Download the XNA Game Studio Express here and XNA Game Studio 3.0 here. You can also visit the XNA Creators Club Online website for more info about games. ALso check out the Express Editions Beginner Developer Learning center.

Don't let the excuse of cost now hamper your development. Don't say that the only reason you choose PHP over C# is because Microsoft costs to much. It is now available to you, all for free. Now you choice has to be Quality of Product, Superior Functionality, Rapid Application Development, Good Community, Reputation, Marketability, and all that. Now you can learn to be a great C#, VB or web developer with very little if any cost to you.

What are you waiting for?

Also on my site, I have started putting together some Webdev beginner tutorials on using the WebDev Express to develop website. Check it out..

Have you used any of the Express editions? What do you think? Let me know, drop us a comment.

 

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