On Scott Guthrie's Blog there is a post about source code for parts of the .NET Framework being made available at the same time that Visual Studio 2008 is released. You will be able to set up your debugging to allow you to download the latest version of the source code and symbols so you can debug into the framework code. This will be much more useful than running relfector to see what is going on as the locals window and breakpoints will work so you will be able to see exactly what your code is doing in relation to the base class libraries.

The source code is released as part of the Microsoft Reference License so you will be able to look at, but don't touch, the source code to make modifications or try to build your own framework with the code. I really love that Microsoft is trying to be more open about their code and what is happening while at the same time providing a framework that protects the IP (Intellectual Property) and trademarks in their code. I see that as being a somewhat (note I don't say ideal) happy medium between the completely closed source model and the completely open source model.

I can't wait to be able to debug down into the BCL and see what I am doing that doesn't work with what Microsoft is doing. I can't help but think that will give us better, more stable code on the .NET Framework.

Read the complete post at http://www.grokdev.com/Blogs/scott/2007/10/03/SourceCodeForPartsOfTheNETFrameworkToBeMadeAvailable.aspx