[This article was first published on the StreamInsight blog.]

If you're just beginning to get familiar with StreamInsight, you may be looking for a way to get started. What are the basics? How can I get my first StreamInsight application running so I can see how it works? Where is the 'front door' that will get me going?

If that describes you, then this blog entry might be just what you need.

If you're already a StreamInsight wiz, keep reading anyway - you may find some helpful links here that you weren't aware of. But here's what we'd like from you experienced readers in particular: if you know of other good resources that we missed, please feel free to add them in the comments below. We appreciate you sharing your expertise.

On the other hand, if you're not necessarily a software developer, and you're looking for an overview of StreamInsight that avoids all the programming talk, you might try this article instead: StreamInsight for Non-Programmers.

The Book

The basic documentation for StreamInsight is located in the MSDN Library (Microsoft StreamInsight 2.1). You'll notice that previous versions of StreamInsight are still there (1.2 and 2.0), but if you're just getting started you can stick to the 2.1 section.

The documentation has been organized to function as reference material, which is fine after you're familiar with the technology. But if you're trying to learn the basics, you might want to take a different path instead of just starting at the top.

The following is one map you can use.

What Is StreamInsight?

Here is a sequence of topics that should give you a good overview of what StreamInsight is and how it works:

Getting an Example Running

Once you have this background, go ahead and install StreamInsight and get a basic example up and running:

That's it - you now have a real, functioning StreamInsight system!

Now that you have a handle on the basics, you might want to start digging deeper.

Digging Deeper

Here's a suggested path through the documentation to help you understand the next layer of StreamInsight technologies:

And Even Deeper

Finally, to get a handle on some of the more complex things you can do with StreamInsight, dig into these:

The StreamInsight Community

As you're designing and developing your StreamInsight solutions, you probably will find it helpful to see working examples or to learn tips and tricks from others. Or maybe you need a place to post a vexing question.

Here are some community resources that we have found useful. If you know of others, please add them in the comments below.

Code samples and tools

• Official StreamInsight code samples
• Introduction to LinqPad Driver for StreamInsight 2.1 - LinqPad is a very useful tool for developing queries

The following case studies are based on earlier versions of StreamInsight, but they still are useful examples:

• Microsoft Media Analytics - real-time monitoring and analytic
• Edgenet - responding to information from multiple source
• ICONICS - managing energy usage

Blogs

• Microsoft StreamInsight
• Ruminations of J.net
• Richard Seroter's Architecture Musings
• pluralsight

Forums

• MSDN StreamInsight Forum
• stackoverflow

Training

• Microsoft StreamInsight Fundamentals (“Introducing StreamInsight” is free) from pluralsight

Twitter

• @streaminsight

You’re a StreamInsight Expert

That should get you going. Please add any other resources you have found useful in the comments below.