Ars Technica notes that Microsoft has finally given up on WinFS (for now). The piece does a good job explaining the history behind WinFS and why it has been abandoned as a stand-alone product. What interests me more is the implication that this is a sign that the operating system is becoming less relevant.

This may seem like a stretch at first, so let me explain. For many years Microsoft has been cramming features into the Windows API in order to lure developers to the platform. This was in large part what .NET was about. WinFS was yet another feature being crammed into the OS in order to entice developers. However, for a variety of reasons Microsoft has been unable to deliver. The response seems to be general indifference on the part of the developers.

Why are the developers indifferent? Modern development platforms like .NET and Java provide a rich environment on top of the OS allowing developers to accomplish much more on their own than was feasible when they were working with C or C++. They just don’t need all of the features crammed down into the OS to build compelling desktop software. The elephant in the room that I haven’t mentioned yet is the explosive growth of the web as a development platform. Technologies like AJAX and frameworks like Ruby on Rails go even further towards making the operating system irrelevant.

If I have spotted the trend correctly, it can only be a good thing. In the end this is a small event and there are probably much better indicators of this paradigm shift.

Update: The Register has more information on the WinFS developments and Raganwald considers whether WinFS and other cancelled features were meant to throw the competition off track.

Update 2: InfoQ has a story about the demise of WinFS.

Update 3: Microsoft has responded with some positive spin, but not everyone is convinced.

Update 4: Microsoft has officially confirmed the death of WinFS in a typically non-commital way.

Tags: microsoft, vista, windows, winfs