Codename ORCAS: Visual Studio .NET 2005
The Whidbey release of Visual Studio and the .NET Framework will represent a significant milestone in the Microsoft developer tools roadmap. Following the SQL Server Yukon and Visual Studio Whidbey wave of products, the next major platform update will be the Windows operating system release codenamed Longhorn. The Whidbey release of Visual Studio and the .NET Framework will run on this landmark operating system release, as will applications built with Visual Studio Whidbey.
In addition, the subsequent release to Whidbey, Visual Studio Orcas, will support the managed interfaces, enhanced UI features, and other new capabilities of the Longhorn operating system. These include the Longhorn trustworthy computing and security model, new application model, improved communication and collaboration, integrated data storage, and innovations in presentation and media. As more information about Longhorn and Orcas becomes available in the coming months, this document will be updated.

With the launch of Visual Studio .NET 2002 and the .NET Framework 1.0, Microsoft introduced a unified programming model, new and enhanced programming languages, and its most integrated and powerful developer toolset ever. One year later, Visual Studio .NET 2003 and version 1.1 of the .NET Framework build on the strength of the initial release and deliver unprecedented integration with the Windows Server 2003 operating system. Moving forward, Microsoft will continue this trend of integrating managed code support in major product releases – first with SQL Server Yukon and later in the Windows Longhorn operating system.
Over the course of this product roadmap, Microsoft plans a steady stream of innovation in both tools and framework, offering the businesses of today and tomorrow premier tools with which to meet their evolving business needs. Microsoft will continue its commitment to delivering productive tools that help customers take maximum advantage of the underlying platform and achieve success while building a wide range of software solutions.