Microsoft frees source code

Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., plans to allow 150 integrators access to the source code for its Windows operating system.

Called the Systems Integrator Source Licensing Program, the initiative will allow favored integrators to analyze Windows' source code. Source code is the original programmer-readable code that
later gets compiled into executing software.

The availability of the source code will permit developers to gain in-depth knowledge of the Windows platform, perform deeper security analysis and privacy verification and build customized software solutions that can interact more smoothly with Windows, the company said. It will also allow resellers to better handle technical support issues.

Microsoft's licensing program will be available for free to integrators who participate in the company's premier support agreement. The program is part of Microsoft's larger Shared Source Initiative, which was introduced in May 2001 to allow developers closer scrutiny of Microsoft software.