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CoApp: MS finally gets on board with Open Source

MSOS 150x150 CoApp: MS finally gets on board with Open SourceStraight from MSDN, Microsoft is working on a new platform to allow Open Source developers to build open source apps that can fully take advantage of Windows tools and capabilities.

According to the blog post, CoApp will provide the following features:

  • Provide a distributed, community driven package management system for open source applications on the Windows Platform
  • Handle multiple versions of binaries using WinSxS (I know, even the mention of side-by-side components evokes fear, anger and the desire to go off-diet, but bear with me, I think we’ve got a solution), including multiple copies of the same version of the same library, compiled with different compilers.
  • Support 64 bit and 32 bit systems, without hassle or collisions.
  • Place binaries, libraries and header files in a logical and consistent location.
  • Have tools and methods for handling dependencies.
  • Create reliable installer packages (MSIs) for installing open source software.
  • Facilitate sharing of components and allow multiple projects to easily both participate and consume them.
  • Allow for upgrades and patching of both libraries and applications.
  • Be Windows developer friendly. No forcing of building using ‘make’, but rather taking advantage of the nifty IDEs we already have.
  • Also be Windows admin friendly. Even if it’s open source, you shouldn’t have to be a developer to put Open Source applications on Windows.
  • Use advanced optimization techniques like Profile Guided Optimization to produce optimized binaries.
  • Support future technologies as they come along.
  • Aid in the adoption of Windows Error Reporting (WinQual) to assist in making software run better on Windows.
  • End the eternal struggle between Green and Purple. Unless of course you’re a Drazi and are conducting elections.

In a nutshell, CoApp seeks to standardize Open Source application building on Windows and provide a new level of end user features such as installable MSI’s. This is pretty big news, especially given the fact that Microsoft has fought tooth and nail against Open Source for the better part of the last decade. It’s also pretty evident that this is picking up steam pretty quickly, on the developer page you can already find a pretty healthy list of contributors.

For more information, visit the blog, the project page or the wiki.

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