A '''Software development kit''' is a set of tools that allows a [[software engineer]] to create [[software|applications]] for a particular [[Computer system|system]] or with a particular [[Programming language|language]]. Common [[Software development tools|tools]] include debugging aids and other [[Utility program|utilities]]. A common acronym for a software development kit is ''SDK''.
A software engineer typically receives the ''SDK'' from the developer. Often times, the ''SDK'' can be downloaded directly via the [[Internet]]. Many ''SDK''s are provdided 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.
Some widely used ''SDK''s are:
* The [[DirectX|DirectX SDK]] from [[Microsoft]]
* The [[Java 2 Software Development Kit|Java SDK]] from [[Sun Microsystems]]
