Application program interface for network software platform

1. A computer-implemented method having instructions executable by a processor, comprising:

receiving one or more application program interface (API) calls from one or more remote devices over a network to an application program interface (API), wherein the API includes a set of base classes and types that are used in substantially all applications executing on the one or more remote devices, wherein the set of base classes and types comprises:

an AsyncCallback delegate supplied to an application, wherein the AsyncCallback delegate references a callback method to be called when a corresponding asynchronous operation is completed; and

an IAsyncResult interface that enables a determination of a status of an asynchronous operation, wherein the IAsyncResult interface includes:

an AsyncState property that returns an object that was provided as a last parameter as part of a Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation;

an AsyncWaitHandle property that returns a WaitHandle that can be used to allow the application to wait for a call to be completed without needing to poll;

a CompletedSynchronously property that is set to true if the Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation completed synchronously; and

an IsCompleted property that is set to true after processing if the asynchronous operation is complete; and

performing a function requested in each of the one or more calls.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the application program interface further comprises a collections namespace that includes a plurality of classes and interfaces for in-memory data storage and manipulation.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the application program interface further comprises a net namespace that includes a plurality of classes that enables use of Internet resources without details of one or more protocols used to access the Internet resources.

4. A software architecture for a distributed computing system, comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory;

an application executable by the processor to receive one or more application program interface (API) calls from one or more remote devices over a network to an application program interface (API), wherein the API includes a set of base classes and types that are used in substantially all applications executing on the one or more remote devices, wherein the set of base classes and types comprises:

an AsyncCallback delegate supplied to an application executed on a remote device, wherein the AsyncCallback delegate references a callback method to be called when a corresponding asynchronous operation is completed; and

an IAsyncResult interface that enables a determination of a status of an asynchronous operation, wherein the IAsyncResult interface includes:

an AsyncState property that returns an object that was provided as a last parameter as part of a Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation;

an AsyncWaitHandle property that returns a WaitHandle that can be used to allow the application to wait for a call to be completed without needing to poll;

a CompletedSynchronously property that is set to true if the Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation completed synchronously; and

an IsCompleted property that is set to true after processing if the asynchronous operation is complete; and

the application configured to perform a function requested in each of the one or more calls.

5. A software architecture as recited in claim 4 , wherein the API further comprises a collections namespace that includes a plurality of classes and interfaces for in-memory data storage and manipulation.

6. A software architecture as recited in claim 4 , wherein the API further comprises a net namespace that includes a plurality of classes that enables use of Internet resources without details of one or more protocols used to access the Internet resources.

7. A computer-readable storage media containing instructions for an application in a software architecture in a distributed computing system, the instructions being executable by a computer to perform actions comprising:

receiving one or more application program interface (API) calls from one or more remote devices over a network to an application program interface (API), wherein the API includes a set of base classes and types that are used in substantially all applications executing on the one or more remote devices, wherein the set of base classes and types comprises:

an AsyncCallback delegate supplied to an application executing on a remote device, wherein the AsyncCallback delegate references a callback method to be called when a corresponding asynchronous operation is completed; and

an IAsyncResult interface that enables a determination of a status of an asynchronous operation, wherein the IAsyncResult interface includes:

an AsyncState property that returns an object that was provided as a last parameter as part of a Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation;

an AsyncWaitHandle property that returns a WaitHandle that can be used to allow the application to wait for a call to be completed without needing to poll;

a CompletedSynchronously property that is set to true if the Begin call corresponding to the asynchronous operation completed synchronously; and

an IsCompleted property that is set to true after processing if the asynchronous operation is complete; and performing a function requested in each of the one or more calls.

8. A computer readable storage media as recited in claim 7 , wherein the API further comprises a collections namespace that includes a plurality of classes and interfaces for in-memory data storage and manipulation.

9. A computer readable storage media as recited in claim 7 , wherein the API further comprises a net namespace that includes a plurality of classes that enables use of Internet resources without details of one or more protocols used to access the Internet resources.