Microsoft has announced plans to allow wider access to its source
code for selected users and developers in a bid to help
applications run more efficiently on Windows operating systems and
.net technologies.
Under the global initiative, licensed companies will be able to
view specific areas of Microsoft's source code - the blueprint for
all software - for Windows 2000, Windows CE and .net technologies.
One aim is to help to speed up the process by which users iron out
glitches in applications running on Windows operating systems by
helping them to understand the source code.
The opening up of Microsoft's source code could also help to
improve the performance of a wide range of hardware and handheld
devices that run on Microsoft operating systems.
Phil Cross, Microsoft UK's developer marketing manager, said, "[The
new source code access] allows developers to see the code but does
not allow them to change and distribute it.
"Our aim is to make as much of the source code available as
necessary to help the developers make their applications work
better with Windows."
By allowing some application developers and original equipment
manufacturers to scrutinise the source code, Microsoft hopes the
hardware will be tied more tightly to the operating system.
In the case of Windows CE such access is essential because the
microprocessor varies more widely than in the Intel-dominated
desktop and notebook market. For PocketPCs, there is an obvious
benefit in harmonising the operating system and the chip to ensure
that the maximum performance can be achieved from the limited
resources available.
The latest source code announcement builds on an ongoing trial in
the US for enterprise customers as well as a limited pilot scheme
in Europe.
However Microsoft is not joining the Linux-driven open source
movement where all source code is freely available to anyone.
To qualify for the privilege of seeing Microsoft code, a company
must make a case for why it needs to see the code and Microsoft
will judge each case on its merits.
Sanctioned companies will then be issued with a non-disclosure
agreement and, on signing up, will be sent the relevant code.
Some parts of Windows will not be made available because they are
based on licences from other companies which supply code for
Windows or because they are subject to US government constraints on
revealing details of encryption systems.
Analysts were unimpressed by the Microsoft announcement and argued
that only a limited number of companies would have the necessary IT
skills and resources to benefit from the offer.
"Most people who take up the offer will get little benefit because
of the high expertise required," said Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's
vice-president for systems software research.
Microsoft UK is setting up the channels to handle requests for code
access.
Eric Doyle and Daniel Thomas
eric.doyle@rbi.co.uk