Build (developer conference)

Build (developer conference). Build is an annual developer conference organized by Microsoft, focused on software and web development using the company's platforms and services. First held in 2011, it serves as a primary venue for announcing new tools, frameworks, and strategic directions for the Microsoft developer ecosystem. The event typically features keynote presentations, technical sessions, and hands-on labs led by Microsoft engineers and industry experts.

History

The inaugural Build conference was held in September 2011 in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center, emerging as a successor to earlier Microsoft developer events like the Professional Developers Conference (PDC). This first event was notably centered on the unveiling of Windows 8 and the introduction of the Windows Runtime application architecture. Subsequent editions have been held in various locations, including San Francisco, Seattle, and virtually, reflecting shifts in the company's focus from solely Windows to a broader cloud computing and cross-platform strategy. The conference was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moving to a digital format, which influenced its structure in following years.

Format and content

The format of Build typically spans several days, combining large-scale keynote addresses from Microsoft executives like Satya Nadella and Scott Guthrie with hundreds of breakout technical sessions and workshops. Content is heavily geared towards practitioners working with Microsoft Azure, Visual Studio, .NET, Windows 11, and Microsoft 365 platforms. A significant portion of the agenda is dedicated to artificial intelligence and machine learning services, such as Azure OpenAI Service, and development tools like GitHub Copilot. The event also facilitates direct interaction between attendees and the Microsoft development team through ask-the-expert zones and networking events.

Notable announcements

Build has been the launchpad for many major Microsoft technologies and initiatives. In 2012, the conference revealed the Surface tablet line and provided deep dives into Windows Phone 8. The 2014 event emphasized the "Mobile first, cloud first" strategy and showcased the .NET Foundation. A pivotal moment came in 2015 with the announcement of Windows Subsystem for Linux and the open-sourcing of the .NET core framework. More recent conferences have highlighted the integration of AI across products, including the Azure AI platform, updates to Power Platform, and the introduction of Microsoft Fabric at Build 2023.

Reception and impact

The conference is generally well-received by the developer community for its technical depth and as a bellwether for Microsoft's direction. Analysts from firms like Forrester Research and Gartner often cover its announcements to gauge trends in enterprise software and cloud services. Build's emphasis on open source contributions, particularly around .NET and Visual Studio Code, has been credited with improving Microsoft's perception among developers. The event's shift to a more digital-forward model has increased its global accessibility, significantly expanding its reach compared to the in-person-only early years.

Related events

Build exists within a larger ecosystem of technology conferences. Microsoft also organizes Ignite for IT professionals and Microsoft Inspire for its partner network. In the broader developer industry, similar events include Google I/O for Google platforms, Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) for Apple ecosystems, and AWS re:Invent for Amazon Web Services. Other notable gatherings for software engineers include Facebook's F8 and the open-source-focused Open Source Summit.

Category:Computer conferences Category:Microsoft Category:Software development