Microsoft recently launched their latest version of their mobile OS, Windows Phone 8, and now they have made their new Windows Phone 8 SDK (software development kit) available to download.
The Windows Phone 8 SDK is designed to help developers build applications for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 platform, and it also includes the tools to build apps for Windows Phone 7.5.
The Windows Phone SDK 8.0 is a full-featured development environment to use for building apps and games for Windows Phone 8.0 and Windows Phone 7.5. The Windows Phone SDK provides a stand-alone Visual Studio Express 2012 edition for Windows Phone or works as an add-in to Visual Studio 2012 Professional, Premium or Ultimate editions. With the SDK, you can use your existing programming skills and code to build managed or native code apps. In addition, the SDK includes multiple emulators and additional tools for profiling and testing your Windows Phone app under real-world conditions.
Key Features of Windows Phone 8 SDK
The Windows Phone 8 SDK is packed with a variety of features that make it a powerful tool for developers. One of the standout features is the inclusion of multiple emulators. These emulators allow developers to test their applications on different virtual devices, ensuring compatibility across various hardware configurations. This is particularly useful for identifying and fixing bugs that may only appear on specific devices.
Another significant feature is the profiling tools. These tools help developers analyze the performance of their applications, identifying bottlenecks and optimizing code for better performance. This is crucial for creating smooth and responsive apps that provide a good user experience.
The SDK also supports both managed and native code development. This flexibility allows developers to use their existing programming skills, whether they are more comfortable with C# or C++. The ability to reuse code from other projects can significantly speed up the development process.
Integration with Visual Studio
The Windows Phone 8 SDK integrates seamlessly with Visual Studio 2012. Developers can choose to use the stand-alone Visual Studio Express 2012 edition for Windows Phone, or they can add the SDK to their existing Visual Studio 2012 Professional, Premium, or Ultimate editions. This integration provides a familiar development environment for those who are already using Visual Studio, making it easier to get started with Windows Phone app development.
In addition to the core development tools, the SDK includes a range of templates and sample projects. These resources can help developers quickly get up to speed with the Windows Phone platform, providing a solid foundation on which to build their own applications. The templates cover a variety of common app types, from simple utilities to complex games, demonstrating best practices and showcasing the capabilities of the platform.
The SDK also includes comprehensive documentation and access to a vibrant developer community. Microsoft’s developer forums and support channels provide a wealth of information and assistance, helping developers overcome any challenges they may encounter during the development process.
You can find out more details about the Windows Phone 8 SDK over at Microsoft, and the kit is also available to download now for developers.
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