Microsoft’s WebMatrix too little too late?
Microsoft introduced a new development environment yesterday aimed towards new or lazy web developers called WebMatrix (beta).
The serious .Net developer may overlook this dummed-down version of Studio, but I wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Microsoft is wrapping this new package with some nice tools that will help even the more serious developers write some nifty code in a short amount of time.
Some of the features include a new version SQL Compact 4.0 which allows for multiple connections and a localized database file (you copy the assembly into your bin folder or the GAC and voila’) along with tools to edit the files and tables.
Also included is the “new” Razor view engine for its MVC style architecture paradigm (missing in VS as of right now). I’m not too familiar with Razor yet, but it seems like a pretty straight-forward script-only view engine which is all making more and more sense to me since I’ve been programming iPhone apps (makes you wonder who’s keeping up with whom).
Anyway, I stay away from ASP.Net for a couple of months and it seems like it’s all going the way of the Dodo. I need to get on MVC and keep an eye on WebMatrix’s tools making their way to Visual Studio.
