VSX: External prototype of a new Managed Package Framework

Bravo to the VSX team for inviting István Novák who articulately speaks to the importance of the developer experience and the limitations of the current Managed Package Framework.

• Small coverage of Core IDE services
• Requires a lot of plumbing code (2,500 lines for custom editor)
• Does not use modern .NET features like generics or LINQ
• Tasks in common with other parts of the .NET FX are not consistent with it (e.g., WinForms)

He's started a remarkably-complete OM called "VSXtra" that wraps MPF and other parts of the Core IDE. http://www.codeplex.com/VSXtra

The OM is _so_ much better. It terrifically cuts down on the busywork/busycode of defining an extension (and the horribly frustrating process of finding/fixing many of the magic bits). I can pick nits with it, but that might distract from how important and valuable it would be to have a modern framework like this.

One of his goals is to influence the Microsoft team to build a modern MPF. I really, really hope he's successful.

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Project/Download/FileDownload.aspx?ProjectName=vsxconf&DownloadId=3172