2006-12-25 21:04:12 · 8 answers · asked by utlcutl 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
Software Development Kit.
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2006-12-25 21:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by jan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Short for software development kit, a programming package that enables a programmer to develop applications for a specific platform. Typically an SDK includes one or more APIs, programming tools, and documentation.
2006-12-26 05:10:44 · answer #2 · answered by tammer076 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A software development kit (SDK or "devkit") is typically a set of development tools that allows a software engineer to create applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system or similar.
It may be something as simple as an application programming interface in the form of some files to interface to a particular programming language, or include sophisticated hardware to communicate with a certain embedded system. Common tools include debugging aids such as an IDE and other utilities. SDKs also frequently include sample code and supporting technical notes or other supporting documentation to help clarify points from the primary reference material.
A software engineer typically receives the SDK from the target system developer. Often the SDK can be downloaded directly via the Internet. Many SDKs are provided for free to encourage developers to use the system or language. Sometimes this is used as a marketing tool. For example, Foo Products might provide the Widget SDK for free to encourage people to use it. In turn, more people will be encouraged to buy more of their widgets since they can program them for free.
SDKs may have attached licenses that make them unsuitable for building software intended to be developed under an incompatible license. For example a proprietary SDK will likely be incompatible with Free software development. And a GPL licensed SDK will likely be incompatible with proprietary software development. LGPL SDKs are typically safe for proprietary development.
An SDK for an operating system add-on (for instance, QuickTime for Mac OS) may include the add-on software itself, to be used for development purposes, if not necessarily for redistribution. An interesting situation arises here between platforms where it is possible to develop applications that can at least start up on a system configuration without the add-on installed, and use a Gestalt-style run-time environment query to determine if the add-on is present, and ones where the application will simply fail to start. In other words, it is possible to build a single binary that will run on configurations with and without the add-on present, albeit operating with reduced functionality in the latter situation.
Providers of SDKs for specific systems or subsystems may sometimes substitute a more specific term instead of software. For instance, both Microsoft and Apple Computer provide Driver Development Kits (DDK) for developing device drivers, and PalmSource brands its development kit as PalmOS Development Kit (PDK).
Examples
The DirectX SDK from Microsoft
The Java SDK from Sun Microsystems
The Net Yaroze from Sony Computer Entertainment
Id Software's SDKs which are used for the Doom 3 and Quake 4 engines
Valve Software's Source SDK which is used to make Half-Life 2 mods
Flex from Adobe
2006-12-26 05:16:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Software development kit
A software development kit (SDK or "devkit") is typically a set of development tools that allows a software engineer to create applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system or similar.
It may be something as simple as an application programming interface in the form of some files to interface to a particular programming language, or include sophisticated hardware to communicate with a certain embedded system. Common tools include debugging aids such as an IDE and other utilities. SDKs also frequently include sample code and supporting technical notes or other supporting documentation to help clarify points from the primary reference material.
A software engineer typically receives the SDK from the target system developer. Often the SDK can be downloaded directly via the Internet. Many SDKs are provided for free to encourage developers to use the system or language. Sometimes this is used as a marketing tool. For example, Foo Products might provide the Widget SDK for free to encourage people to use it. In turn, more people will be encouraged to buy more of their widgets since they can program them for free.
SDKs may have attached licenses that make them unsuitable for building software intended to be developed under an incompatible license. For example a proprietary SDK will likely be incompatible with Free software development. And a GPL licensed SDK will likely be incompatible with proprietary software development. LGPL SDKs are typically safe for proprietary development.
An SDK for an operating system add-on (for instance, QuickTime for Mac OS) may include the add-on software itself, to be used for development purposes, if not necessarily for redistribution. An interesting situation arises here between platforms where it is possible to develop applications that can at least start up on a system configuration without the add-on installed, and use a Gestalt-style run-time environment query to determine if the add-on is present, and ones where the application will simply fail to start. In other words, it is possible to build a single binary that will run on configurations with and without the add-on present, albeit operating with reduced functionality in the latter situation.
Providers of SDKs for specific systems or subsystems may sometimes substitute a more specific term instead of software. For instance, both Microsoft and Apple Computer provide Driver Development Kits (DDK) for developing device drivers, and PalmSource brands its development kit as PalmOS Development Kit (PDK).
2006-12-26 05:08:22 · answer #4 · answered by sweetraskels 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your working with computers, it is a "Software Development Kit"
2006-12-26 05:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by JAY S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
software development kit. the name says it all. it's for developers.
2006-12-26 05:24:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
SDK or JDK
2006-12-26 05:06:13 · answer #7 · answered by arveen paria arasuk 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is SERVER DEVELOPMENT KIT
2006-12-26 05:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by bmpvkm 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋