Definition

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) is Microsoft's development tool for Web applications and rich client applications. With WPF, developers can use XAML, the Extensible Application Markup Language, to create custom controls, graphics, 3D images and animations that are not available in traditional HTML implementations.

WPF is one of the four main products in Microsoft's.NET Framework 3.0, previously known as WinFX. The other two are the Windows Communication Foundation, or WcF, the Windows Workflow Foundation, abbreviated as either WF or WinWF, and the Windows CardSpace. The .NET 3.0 suite is due to be released around the same time as Windows Vista, Microsoft's upcoming update to its Windows operating system. .NET 3.0 can also be used with Windows XP and the Windows 2003 Server.

Many developers still refer to Windows Presentation Foundation by its code name, Avalon.

This was last updated in August 2006
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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