Microsoft Patterns & Practices released their first drop of the Prism Reference Implementation that embodies their thoughts on Windows Presentation Foundation ( WPF ) Guidance. Very similar to the Smart Client Software Factory and Web Client Software Factory, Prism is about building Composite WPF Clients and uses a number of design patterns that we have seen in other Microsoft Patterns & Practices Guidance Packages.
Microsoft Patterns & Practices is being very careful to mention that Prism is a reference implementation for Composite WPF Guidance and may not necessarily target your WPF Application Needs. It is difficult, dare I say impossible, to create a framework for Composite WPF Guidance that will meet the needs of everyone. After having been beaten up from various people on the complexity of the Smart Client Software Factory, one can certainly appreciate their sensitivity.
If you are interested in learning more about Microsoft Patterns & Practices thoughts on how to properly create a Composite WPF Application, make sure you download their sample. The WPF Sample Reference Implementation is very much in the early stages and mainly intended for feedback from the .NET Developer Community.
Learn more here.