Professional Developers Conference

Steven_Sinofsky_and_Julie_Larson-Green_at_Microsoft_PDC_2008,_day_two_(3009002418)

== Professional Developers Conference ==

The Professional Developers Conference (PDC) was a series of conferences held by Microsoft for software developers. The PDC was first held in 1992 and was typically used by Microsoft to announce major new developments in the company's software and platform technologies. The conference was known for its in-depth technical sessions and the opportunity for developers to interact directly with Microsoft engineers.

History

The first PDC took place in 1992, and it quickly became a key event for developers working with Microsoft technologies. Over the years, the PDC has been the venue for several significant announcements, including the introduction of .NET Framework, Windows Presentation Foundation, and Windows Communication Foundation.

Notable Conferences

• PDC 1992: The inaugural PDC focused on the upcoming Windows NT operating system.
• PDC 2000: This conference introduced the .NET Framework, a major shift in Microsoft's development strategy.
• PDC 2003: Microsoft unveiled Longhorn, the codename for what would eventually become Windows Vista.
• PDC 2008: The conference featured the first public demonstration of Windows Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform.

Key Announcements

• .NET Framework: Introduced at PDC 2000, the .NET Framework is a software development platform developed by Microsoft.
• Windows Azure: Announced at PDC 2008, Windows Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
• Windows Vista: Initially codenamed Longhorn, Windows Vista was introduced at PDC 2003 and released to the public in 2006.

Sessions and Content

The PDC was known for its technical depth, offering sessions that covered a wide range of topics, from core programming languages and tools to advanced development techniques. Sessions were often led by the engineers who were directly involved in the development of the technologies being discussed.

Legacy

The PDC was eventually replaced by the Microsoft Build conference, which continues to serve as the primary event for developers working with Microsoft technologies. The legacy of the PDC lives on in the form of the deep technical content and community engagement that it fostered.

See Also

• Microsoft Build
• Microsoft TechEd
• Microsoft Ignite
• .NET Framework
• Windows Azure
• Windows Vista