SharePoint 2010 Reference: Software Development Kit

Updated: April 22, 2011. The Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Software Development Kit (SDK) includes documentation and code samples for Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010; for Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, which builds upon the SharePoint Foundation 2010 infrastructure; and--new in the MAR2011 update--for Microsoft SharePoint Online. The documentation includes detailed descriptions of the technologies that SharePoint Foundation 2010, SharePoint Server 2010, and SharePoint Online provide for developers, reference documentation for the server and client object models, and step-by-step procedures for using these technologies and object models and programming with them. This SDK also includes best practices and setup guidance to help you get started with your own custom applications that build on and extend SharePoint Foundation 2010, SharePoint Server 2010, and SharePoint Online.

The MAR2011 update of the SharePoint 2010 SDK contains new code samples, updated IntelliSense XML files, and updated documentation based on customer feedback. Read the following topics on MSDN for a complete list of updates: What's New in the SDK for SharePoint Foundation 2010 and What's New in the SDK for SharePoint Server 2010.

For additional information, you can visit the SharePoint Developer Center on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN): http://msdn.microsoft.com/sharepoint. Visit frequently to learn about recently published content; to view essential getting-started content; to view rich media content such as videos and screencasts; to get connected to instructor-led training and other learning resources; to learn more about product features and scenarios in our MSDN Resource Centers; and to find community resources such as MSDN forums, newsgroups, MVP blogs, and much more.

The SDK also includes many code samples that address common customization scenarios and solution building blocks. You can find a full list of code samples on MSDN Code Gallery, and you can also check MSDN Code Gallery for other SharePoint solutions and code samples.

Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows XP

• The SDK does not require additional applications to install the files. However, to use the code samples, we recommend that you also install the following applications on the same computer where the package is installed:
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, or Visual Studio 2005 to open and compile the sample projects
  • Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010
  • Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Redistributable Package
• For more information and detailed setup instructions for developing with SharePoint 2010 products, read Setting Up the Development Environment for SharePoint 2010 in the SharePoint 2010 SDK.