Windows Development Fragments as Software Developers Delay on Writing Apps for Vista Until 2009

Business Wire, May 14, 2008

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Only eight percent of North American software developers are currently writing applications to run on Microsoft's Vista operating system, while half are still writing programs for XP, according to Evans Data's Spring 2008, North American Development Survey. These same developers forecast a fragmented Windows market in 2009 with only 24 percent expecting to target Vista and 29% expecting to continue with XP.

"Developers have taken a wait and see approach to Vista," said John Andrews, Evans Data's President and CEO. "The new operating system has had more than its share of problems and the desire to move from XP on the Windows platform is still lagging - that coupled with interest in alternative operating systems is suppressing development activity and that in turn will further erode Vista's acceptance."

Other versions of Windows, including 2003 and Windows server 2008, when added to the above numbers bring the total forecast for Windows development in North America to just over 67% expecting to target some form of Windows in 2009. Over 15% expect to target Linux.

Other highlights from this in-depth survey of software developers in North America conducted April 2008 include:

* More than half of North American developers use agile development techniques today and among those doing corporate enterprise development this is expected to increase to two-thirds by next year.

* Microsoft Visual Sourcesafe continues to be the most used application lifecycle management software in a still immature and fragmented market - while adoption of Visual Studio Team System languishes with usage rates behind both Subversion and IBM's Rational Suite.

* Two-thirds of North American developers address security issues during the first planning and design stages of a project.

About Evans Data Corporation

Evans Data Corporation provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects.

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