Will XAML Replace Windows Forms and ASP.NET?

Now .NET 3.0 and XAML are being released and XAML and WPF being the language and library for the presentation layer for .NET applications, the obvious question is what happens to Windows Forms and ASP.NET? The same question I asked Microsoft team at MVP Summit and this is what I got in return.

This was my first question at MVP summit and this is what I got from Microsoft.

1. Definitely XAML and WPF is the future.
2. Microsoft is still heavily investing in Windows Forms and ASP.NET and development of both will continue until .NET 4.0
3. Both teams (Windows Forms and ASP.NET) are still adding new features to the libraries
4. Microsoft will probably support both of these technologies for at least 10 years

It is very frustrating for developers, who spend so much time learning new technologies and never know how long will it last. Most of the developers are still developing applications using .NET 1.1. .NET 2.0 has vast changes and it will take some time for developers to move to .NET 2.0. Now .NET 3.0 is already released and new version of Visual Studio is knocking the door, which will add XAML and WPF as presentation layer development.

So what is the future? I would have to say, XAML and WPF is the future. Windows Forms and ASP.NET will still be around for a long time but do not count on them after 10 years.

So if you are a developer planning to retire in 10 years, you don't have to worry but if you wish to continue your development career past next 10 years, you better get ready for XAML ;).

I've been doing lot of development on XAML and now have started more WPF. Check out my articles and tutorials on www.longhorncorner.com.

Cheers!