What's New in .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for Windows Client Development

The .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 Beta delivers more controls, a streamlined setup, improved start-up performance, and powerful new graphics features for WPF development. This release includes numerous bug fixes and the following feature areas:

• New and improved graphics capabilities for both 2D and 3D
• New controls and extensibility
• Performance improvements for startup and runtime, as well as streamlined setup
• Interop with HTML (DOM) as well as DirectX

SP1 also delivers significant fixes to Windows Forms based on customer feedback and improvements such as IME support for the WPF Interoperability controls. Many Windows Forms applications will also see performance gains.

This document answers the following questions:

• What are the new improvements?
• Where can I download .NET 3.5 SP1?
• Where can I ask questions and discuss these features?
• Where can I learn more?

What are the new improvements?

Deployment and Performance

• Smaller, faster redistribution with a download of ~26 MB for client applications
• Faster application start time, up to 20-45% depending on the application
• Brandable deployment experience
• Setup is now faster with NGEN optimization while downloading
• New, smaller deployment and bootstrapper

User Experience

The complete application plus framework and other components can be packaged into a single, integrated installer for a streamlined install experience.

• Immediate Responsiveness: Bootstrapper is small (200K) to enable the fastest possible response. After the security prompts, the user immediately is presented with the EULA.
• 3 Clicks: One for the application, installing certificates, and the EULA. For ClickOnce, the user clicks accept on the EULA and the application automatically launches once setup is complete.
• Integrated, Custom/Branded UI encompassing the application, framework, and additional components for a seamless install experience.
• Size and Speed: With a typical broadband connection, setup will take approximately 6 minutes or less.
• Faster launch time: The user will experience faster start times depending on the application.

Graphics Enhancements

• Smoother animations (with Vista SP1)
• Improved performance of BitmapEffects (Blur, DropShadow) with hardware acceleration support
• New extensible Pixel Shader effects: Application authors can run their own custom pixel shaders on WPF content in real time with hardware acceleration
• Text Rendering speed improvements, especially for VisualBrush and 3D scenes
• Improved WriteableBitmap that enables real-time bitmap updates from a software surface
• Improved performance of Layered Windows (with Vista SP1)
• D3DImage: Direct 3D Interop (DirectX), including alpha blending support
• Improved "Nearest-Neighbor" image sampling
• Improved Tier APIs for detecting graphics capabilities
• Multiple 2d performance improvements. Specifically perf improvements to Z-index scenarios.

Controls

• Improved ListView and ListBox scroll performance (opt-in)
• Virtualized TreeView control – Allows TreeView to contain many elements without significant memory usage

Data Improvements

• Business object validation – leverages existing validation model
• .NET 3.0 (ASMX) and 3.5 (WCF) Web Service support in XBAPs
• ADO.NET Data Services Client library simplifies the process of querying, updating and interacting with online data through LINQ.
• System.Xml and LINQ to XML: Query over XML is simplified and becomes more approachable, providing developers with considerable productivity gains.
• DataSet and LINQ to DataSet: Query over the data stored in DataSets has been simplified providing developers with a significant increase in productivity
• Better fundamentals for DataGrid control. Specifically
  • MultiSelector – to allow multi-selection and bulk selection
  • IEditableCollectionView - to enable editing/adding/removing items in a transactional way
  • StringFormat – provide shortcut to display data bound number as formatted text
  • Alternating Rows- Enables setting alternating properties on rows of ItemsControl (Ex. Alternating blue and white rows in DataGrid)
  • Conversions for Null Values – to enable app author to designate any value as equivalent to "null"
  • Item-Level Validation – Enables validation rules to an entire item

Other

• Improved working set specifically during startup
• Improved NGEN & JIT throughput
• Support for Add-ins
• Visual Studio WPF Designer includes a new Event Tab in the Property Browser, Refactoring of XAML, debugging BAML runtime errors, and various bug fixes
• Firefox browser support for XBAPs

Where can I Download .NET Framework 3.5 SP1?

You can download the .NET 3.5 SP1 here.

Where can I ask Questions and Provide Feedback?

Use the following resources:

• Windows Presentation Foundation Forum for feedback and questions regarding this release of WPF.
• Visual Studio WPF Designer Forum for feedback and questions related to WPF features in Visual Studio 2008.
• Expression Studio Forum for questions and discussions related to WPF features in Expression Blend.

Where can I Learn More?

Use the following resources:

• Scott Guthrie's blog post covering the new changes in .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
• See Brad Abrams' blog post on the Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Beta and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Beta Web Development features.
• Visit the "Learn" center at WindowsClient.net for videos, Hands on Labs and more.
• Channel9 videos