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Longhorn is the code name of next version of Windows operating system added in the series of Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server. Longhorn marks a significant change not only in terms of how the operating system works, but also in the way in which applications are built. The Longhorn version of Windows includes a new storage system, natural search technology, and an increased emphasis on security and trustworthy computing. It is also the first operating system to support a natural search technology (Natural UI) that automatically resolves many of the ambiguities inherent in query text.

One of the most important changes in Longhorn is that this operating system makes it possible to write an application one time and use it in multiple deployment scenarios. To achieve this ambitious goal, Longhorn-based applications are completely object-oriented and based on a central Application object that provides all key services that are needed for running the application. 

WinFS: The Smart File System

WinFS is the codename for new file system used in Longhorn. Unlike previous file systems (FAT32 and NTFS), WinFS takes advantage of database and XML and stores files and their metadata in a database. WinFS not only stores files but also stores metadata about the files which is accessible to the users from the Windows interface as well as programmatically. By having control on the file system metadata, the users and developers have more control on files. For example, you can search for the files they were written by a particular user. Not only the author, you can also query based on dates, file types, title, size and so on.

Avalon: Way to write UI Applications for Longhorn

Under Longhorn programming model, the presentation layer development (client application development) that used to be Windows Forms is called Avalon. Besides the capabilities exists in Windows Forms, Avalon adds many new features to the system. A few of these features are addition of a new markup language, Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML), and support for both Windows and Web applications.

The class model of Avalon is totally different than Windows Forms. In the current version, the root namespace for Avalon development is MSAvalon and then sub namespace are like MSAvalon.Windows and MSAvalon.Windows.Controls. Again, Avalon is a part of Longhorn library which is common for all programming language that supports Longhorn. 

Trustworthy Computing and Security

"Longhorn" bases an application's security on the common language runtime code access security (CAS) model but with significant extensions.

·                      "Longhorn" recognizes that some applications are fully trusted and others have only partial trust. Applications that fully participate in the "Longhorn" security model will have full access to "Longhorn" features. Applications that only partially participate in the model will have some benefits, albeit with restrictions.

·                      "Longhorn" provides an ultrasecure, managed-code, runtime environment, called the Secure Execution Environment (SEE), that protects the user from "bad" application behavior.

·                      The Trust Manager provides a scoring system for "Longhorn" applications that determines a suggested level of trust that users could grant to the application.

·                      "Longhorn" provides a security Trust Center that allows a user to manage hot fixes and access Windows updates. In addition, a Security Advisor informs the user of security risks and violations.

·                      Digital Rights Management is a part of managed code, giving strong protection for intellectual property. This allows secure storage and transmission of previously vulnerable intellectual property in the "Longhorn" environment.

·                      "Longhorn" uniquely identifies users and computers using digital signatures. When combined with a signing authority for verification, "Longhorn" can securely and reliably identify individual users in computing scenarios.  

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