The Commercial Technology Preview extends Visual Studio's ASP.Net 2.0 server controls to client-side libraries.Microsoft announced March 20 the latest release of the company's Asynchronous JavaScript and XML style development tool, code-named Atlas.
With this latest Consumer Technology Preview, or CTP, Microsoft is saying Atlas is good enough for production for early adopters.
"This is not the final code change and things can still shift in the code libraries we are building as we move to a beta later in the year," said Brian Goldfarb, Microsoft's production manager for Atlas and ASP.Net 2.0.
Microsoft says Atlas will integrate with Visual Studio to address the challenge of managing large and complex JavaScript libraries in AJAX solutions.
Atlas extends the ASP.Net 2.0 server controls available today in Visual Studio to JavaScript client-side libraries. The libraries can be used with the major Web browsers, according to the company.
"You can use Atlas as a full AJAX solution," said Goldfarb, "or you can use just the client controls. You do not need to use ASP.Net 2 on the server if you do not want to."
Some of the new features in the March CTP of Atlas include support for Globalization, error handling, enhanced security support and more documentation.
Time for Developers to Play
The Atlas CTP should allow seasoned developers to get involved with Atlas more quickly by providing more documentation and tools.
"[There's been very little in the way of samples to teach us how to use it [Atlas]," said Scott Standfield, CEO of Vertigo Software. "I would like to see more in the way of tools, especially for debugging, and sample apps."
The Atlas CTP will include increased support for Data and Web Parts. The new Data features allow for client-side sorting, pagination and incremental rendering of list views with no page refresh needed. The Web Parts enhancements will be useful for companies building extensions for Atlas.
Microsoft is betting on the strength of the .Net platform in hoping developers will use the Atlas JavaScript library in lieu of custom-built AJAX controls.
The CTP includes a new set of controls called Gadgets that allow developers to connect directly with many of the Live.com Web services.
The Gadgets are currently buggy, according to company sources, but are expected to improve in the coming months.
Is it time to go live with Atlas?
Microsoft is slapping a "Go Live" sticker on Atlas but keeping it in a pre-beta CTP. Early adopters should tread with care, say some developers.
"We've been using the bits that work, as they work," said Rocky Lhotka, technology evangelist for .Net development firm Magenic Technologies.
The Atlas CTP is probably best used for experimentation, developers say. Because it is still a CTP, features can change and technologies can drop off the radar. For example, the code for the TargetElement parameter available in early Atlas CTP releases no longer works.
Microsoft plans to fully release Atlas in the next release of Visual Studio, code-named Orcas, which is expected in the first quarter of 2007.
Orcas will also allow developers to access Windows Presentation Foundation, or WPF. This will be important as the customer demand for an "Internet experience" continues to evolve.
"Even with Atlas, the browser simply can't provide full Windows-like capabilities for users—and users do want that richness," said Lhotka. "I think Atlas will fill an important niche between simple HTML and the more powerful WPF technology."
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