Developers need new tools compatible with the current platform as early as possible; otherwise they can't write applications to showcase new features. But the tools themselves give away information about the platform.

With Longhorn due no sooner than 2005, Microsoft plans to stagger the unveiling with a two-phase release of Visual Studio. The two releases are code-named Whidbey and Orcas. Whidbey—with a projected release in 2004—will run on current .NET-enabled platforms and on Longhorn, as will programs it compiles. A new version of Microsoft SQL Server, code-named Yukon, will be released in parallel with Whidbey. Orcas, due for release along with Longhorn itself, will fully support all of Longhorn's new features.