With earlier SDKs, each Netduino mainboard had its own "New Project" template, its own HardwareProvider DLL, etc. While we had strong code reusability, we can do even better (and simplify things a bit in the process).
New Universal Netduino Applications
In the new Netduino 4.3.2 SDK, there is exactly one project template for Netduino. This single universal template creates a project for any modern Netduino mainboard (Netduino 3, Netduino Plus 2, Netduino 2 or Netduino Go).
Universal Netduino Apps using GoBus modules are completely portable between Netduino Go and Netduino 3 too. Once we add Shield Base virtual I/O support to the Netduino Go 4.3 firmware, you will even be able to seamlessly move an app using "Arduino headers/shields" from a Netduino 3 mainboard to a Netduino Go mainboard (with Shield Base) simply by redeploying.
Backwards-compatibile with existing code
We designed the new universal templates with full backwards compatibility in mind. Existing Netduino applications do not need to be rewritten. We have added intelligence to the 4.3.2.1 firmware so that all modern Netduino mainboards maintain strong backwards compatibility with existing code.
Legacy Netduino Templates (optional SDK add-on, for gen1 boards)
While the new universal Netduino Application template does not support the older gen1 boards, we want to make sure that makers can continue getting use out of their gen1 boards for many years. So we have added a "Legacy Templates" installer on the downloads page directly under the Netduino SDK.
Here is what the "New Project" templates look like with the legacy templates add-on installed.
The Universal Future
At //build/ 2015, Microsoft showed off Netduino 3 Wi-Fi mainboards running new Universal Windows Platform (UWP)-derived APIs. As we move into the NETMF 4.4 timeframe, the new Universal Netduino Application template will be the foundation upon which new UWP-enabled apps are built as well. There is so much more to come as we innovate with Microsoft this year. Stay tuned!
Summary
The new universal Netduino Application project template makes it insanely simple for developers to use Netduino Apps on any mainboard. Start with Netduino 2. Switch to Netduino Go. Switch to Netduino 3. Simply redeploy.
Please let us know your experiences with the new universal template,
Chris
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