Windows Integrity Application Development Environments

2
Introduction
High-performance transaction-processing and scientific applications have long run on 64-bit servers
based on proprietary processor architectures and specialized operating systems. Only recently has
64-bit computing come to Windows-compatible servers based on open processor architectures such
as IA64. Today, with 2000 applications already available, the software ecosystem around Windows
on IA64 has taken root and is beginning to sprout.
Many Windows applications are now created for x86 and then ported to the IA64 architecture. For
such applications, software developers often build on x86, cross-compiling to the IA64 target, while
others compile their code natively on Itanium-based systems. Developers also show a preference for
either a GUI-based Integrated Development Environment or the command line. The development
environment that suits you best depends on your project goals (synchronous or separate software
releases on 32-bit and 64-bit) and environment preference (IDE or command-line).
Intel and Microsoft support both types of development efforts by offering compilers, development kits,
and performance optimization utilities for developers who prefer the command-line and a selection of
VisualStudio editions for those who prefer to build within an IDE. HP, Microsoft, and Intel also offer
training at developer workshops with hands-on labs on HP Integrity servers.
As you plan the deployment of a Windows or SQL application on Itanium, note that Visual Studio
2005 does not run natively on Itanium-based systems. This technical brief provides a quick overview
of the development environments that are available for porting Windows and SQL applications to
Itanium-based systems.
Cross-compile Native-compile
IDE
VisualStudio 2005 Team VisualStudio 2005 Pro, DDK/SDK, WinDbg
Command-line
Editor, DDK, WinDbg Editor, DDK/SDK/Intel C++, WinDbg
This matrix essentially translates to one of the following tool chains:
Code Compile Debug
VS2005 Team
on x86
VS2005 Team
x-Compile
DDK or SDK
on IA64
WinDbg
on IA64
VS2005 Pro
or Std on x86
Intel C++
on IA64
WinDbg
on IA64
Any Editor on
IA64
VS2005 Team
from x86
Transfer files
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The development environment that is easiest to set up involves using Visual Studio Team Edition on
any supported platform (x86, x64) to cross-compile for IA64. You can transfer the executable to the
Integrity server for testing. You can debug remotely using the remote debugger included in VS2005
Team Edition.
Alternatively, you can code in any IDE, such as VS2005 Professional or Standard Edition, on any
supported platform (x86 or x64). You can then build for IA64 from the command line using SDK or