The Microsoft Visual Studio development system is a suite of development tools designed to aid software developers--whether they are novices or seasoned professionals--face complex challenges and create innovative solutions. |
TodayÕs developers face the challenge of targeting a broad range of platforms and crafting applications that quickly deliver value to the business. Integrated designers and language features in Visual Studio allow developers to build the connected applications demanded by todayÕs businesses while taking advantage of the .NET Framework 3.5 to reduce development time.
Design high-performance applications
Connect to the data you need, regardless of its location, and build data driven applications using Language Integrated Query (LINQ).
Build great client applications
Develop compelling solutions that leverage the user experience and capabilities of the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Windows Vista.
Build powerful Web applications
Build rich, interactive applications using the ASP.NET AJAX interactive Web interfaces.
What's New in 2008
Feature Highlights
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| MSDN Subscriptions include a wide variety of software to help developers to design, develop, test, and demonstrate applications or solutions. Active subscribers have access to current, past, and pre-release future versions of virtually every Microsoft product or technology a development team could need. MSDN Professional Subscriptions can be purchased with Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition. MSDN Premium Subscriptions can be purchased with either Visual Studio Professional Edition or with Visual Studio Team System products. |
| Visual Studio 2008 Professional with MSDN Premium Includes: Development Tools
Servers
Operating Systems
2007 Microsoft Office System
Microsoft Dynamics
Other Tools, SDKs & DDKs
Additional Benefits
|
[1] Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Workgroup Edition is limited to five designated users. One Client Access License is provided for use of the full version of Team Foundation Server. [2] One copy of the indicated applications may be used on one device for any purpose. |
Write Code Faster
At the core of all software solutions is the code that developers write. Visual Studio 2008 helps developers write code faster through a wealth of productivity-enhancing features, such as IntelliSense technology, auto-completion, auto-colorization, method lookup, syntax and type checking, code refactoring, code-snippet management, and many more.
Avoid Memorizing Syntax
Introduced by Microsoft more than a decade ago, IntelliSense technology in Visual Studio is a form of automated completion that displays a list of the members that are available for that class or object after a developer types a class or object name and a period. It speeds coding by reducing the number of keystrokes required and the need to reference external documentation. IntelliSense in Visual Studio 2008 adds support for JavaScript to provide the same benefits to Web developers, including those who are using Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) programming techniques.
Write Less Code
Visual Studio includes prebuilt building blocks for native and managed code, such as Active Type Library, Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC), and the Microsoft .NET Framework. By taking advantage of these, developers can reduce the amount of low-level code they must write and instead focus on solving business problems. Visual Studio 2008 supports the .NET Framework version 3.5, which includes enhancements to the base class libraries, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, and Windows CardSpaceÑand delivers improved interoperability between native and managed code.
Handle Data More Productively
Programming against data sources has traditionally meant having to learn a new data access technology or paradigm for each data source. Language-Integrated Query (LINQ), a set of extensions to the C# and Visual Basic languages and the .NET Framework 3.5, enables developers to employ a consistent approach and write less code when querying and transforming object collections, ADO.NET, XML data, and relational data from Microsoft SQL Server-based databases. Developers using LINQ benefit from design-time assistance in Visual Studio 2008Ñsuch as statement completion, smart compile auto-correction, and IntelliSense technologyÑenabling them to invest less time in learning how to access the data through syntax for languages like T-SQL or XPATH and instead focus on what to do with the data.
Use Integrated Tools
Visual Studio 2008 also enhances developer productivity by providing an integrated set of tools for activities other than writing code. The Visual Studio project system makes all aspects of a project easy to manage, from writing the first line of code through packaging finished software for deployment. During development, visual designers, server and data explorers, debuggers, automated build tools, background compilation, integration with source code control, an integrated Help system, and a range of third-party extensions for Visual Studio all come together to help developers remain focused on business needs and deliver faster.
Program in Multiple Languages
Visual Studio supports several of the world's most popular programming languages, including Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual C++, and JavaScript, making it useful to a broad range of developers and for a broad range of applications. Solutions for Visual Studio from more than 200 other companies add support for additional languages and a multitude of other capabilities, enabling developers to continue using the same familiar tools as they learn new languages, grow their skills, address unique business needs, and switch between projects
Manage Project Files and Jump-Start New Projects
The Visual Studio 2008 project system enhances productivity by tying together the tools and files for a project. When developers select a prebuilt project template, the project system customizes the Visual Studio UI to support the task at hand. (For example, if a developer chooses to create an application for Windows, the project offers a Windows form item.) The Visual Studio project system is compatible with Microsoft Expression design software, enabling developers to collaborate with UI and Web designers.
Target Multiple Versions of the .NET Framework
With previous versions of Visual Studio, developers could build applications that ran on only one version of the .NET Framework. Visual Studio 2008 provides the ability to target versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 of the .NET Framework from within a single environment, with the editor, designers, and debugger intelligently adapting to the specified version. With this capability, developers can upgrade to Visual Studio 2008 and begin taking advantage of the new benefits it provides without having to upgrade their projects or have multiple versions of Visual Studio installed.
Build Higher-Quality Applications
With the trend toward test-driven development and the importance of quality and security in distributed applications, unit testing is now an integral part of many developers' tasks. Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition includes integrated support for unit testing, which was previously available only in Visual Studio Team System products.
Build Software for Windows
Developers can use Visual Studio 2008 to program against core Windows APIs, Microsoft Foundation Classes, the .NET Framework, or any of several software development kits (SDKs), enabling them to use a single tool set to build system services, device drivers, utilities, games, desktop software, line-of-business applications, and more. Regardless of the type of software, Visual Studio helps developers deliver rich user experiences, connect applications and business processes, and accelerate solution delivery.
Deliver Rich User Experiences
Visual designers in Visual Studio 2008 enable developers to create rich, engaging applications based on Windows Presentation Foundation, the graphical subsystem in the .NET Framework 3.5 for taking advantage of today's modern graphics hardware. Developers also can build applications that take advantage of the more than 8,000 new native APIs in Windows Vista, and can take advantage of enhancements in MFC and Visual C++ to easily move applications to the new Windows Vista look and feel.
Build Connected Solutions and Streamline Business Processes
Developers can use the graphical designer and debugger for Windows Communication Foundation in Visual Studio 2008 to easily connect systems or applications, programming to a common API regardless of the underlying transports and protocols used. Similarly, tools for Windows Workflow Foundation enable developers to model real-world business processes in software by providing the means to easily visualize, create, edit, and debug both human and machine-based workflows.
Collaborate with UI Designers
Support for Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) in Visual Studio 2008 enables developers to collaborate and share design assets with designers who use Microsoft Expression Blend design software. The ability to transfer user interface design elements between the developer and the designer means that edits to either the code or UI can be made simultaneously without affecting layout or code adversely. The developer and designer work on their respective tasks without any dependency on each other, and their efforts are then integrated by simply sharing source files.
Build Specialized Software
Visual Studio 2008 supports more than just the development of ÒmainstreamÓ applications for Windows. When developing Windows drivers to support new hardware or targeting platforms such as the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, hardware vendors, software vendors, and others can program directly against the Win32 APIs and take advantage of Microsoft-provided device driver and game development kits to ensure compatibility and accelerate solution delivery.
Build Software for the Web
Most companies that employ Internet technology for public Web sites and/or internal business applications are looking for ways to accelerate solution delivery, enhance the end-user experience, and improve integration. Visual Studio 2008 and ASP.NET 3.5 (part of the .NET Framework 3.5) provide a versatile tool set for building stunning Web sites or for connecting distributed systems using Web services.
Build Rich, Responsive Web Sites
Support for AJAX in Visual Studio 2008 enables developers to deliver richer, more responsive Web applicationsÑand a more interactive user experienceÑby eliminating the need to reload an entire Web page when a user makes a change. Developers using AJAX can take advantage of IntelliSense technology to discover variables, objects, and their methods, and can debug JavaScript code by setting breakpoints inside Visual StudioÑa capability that works with the most popular Web browsers. Developers also benefit from improved designers and editors.
Web developers will also benefit from enhancements in ASP.NET 3.5. The new ListView control provides unprecedented flexibility in how data is displayed (with complete control over the HTML markup generated), and the new DataPager control handles the work of allowing users to page through large numbers of records. The LinqDataSource control makes it easy to create data-driven Web sites by enabling developers to use LINQ to retrieve, filter, order, and group data that can then be declaratively bound to data visualization controls.
Connect Systems and Applications Using Web Services
Developers can use Windows Communication Foundation in the .NET Framework 3.5 to build Web services that are exposed using any number of Internet-standard protocols, such as SOAP, RSS, JSON, POX, and more. Whether developers are building an AJAX application that uses JSON, syndicating data via RSS, or building a standard SOAP Web service, Windows Communication Foundation makes it easy to create service endpoints. Plus, Windows Communication Foundation now supports building Web services in partial-trust situations like a typical shared-hosting environment.
Collaborate with Web Designers
Developers can easily collaborate with designers who use Microsoft Expression Web through the use of cascading style sheets and shared project files. Designers can use Expression Web to design a UI and then turn it over to developers with confidence that the UI design and subsequently developed business logic code will both remain intact.
Build Software for Microsoft Office System
The user interfaces of line-of-business applications can be difficult to learn, respond sluggishly to user input, and require people to be connected to the corporate intranet. Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition provides a powerful tool set for building Office Business Applications (OBAs), which extend the data in line-of-business systems to end users through familiar Microsoft Office programs. Through such an approach, developers can integrate the front office and back office, making the information in ERP, CRM, and other enterprise systems directly accessible from within everyday business processes.
Develop Applications for Microsoft Office Using Existing Skills
Visual Studio Tools for Office is a fully integrated component of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, giving developers everything they need to target the more than 500 million users of Microsoft Office using the same managed-code development skills that they use to write applications for Windows or ASP.NET applications. Applications built on Microsoft Office are first-class projects in Visual Studio, which includes project templates, designers, and debugging tools to help developers rapidly build solutions based on current and earlier versions of Microsoft Office desktop products, as well as Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.
Take Advantage of the UI in the 2007 Office Release
With Visual Studio 2008, developers can take advantage of familiar Microsoft Office UI elements to provide users with access to new types of information. Developers can extend the Microsoft Office Fluent interface to add buttons to the Ribbon. Outlook Form Regions and Custom Task Panes provide a convenient way to let users view and edit data in back-end systems, and Windows Communication Foundation provides a convenient way to connect OBAs to back-end systems. Developers also can build native C++ applications that use UI elements of the 2007 Office release, such as the Ribbon Bar, Ribbon Status Bar, and Mini toolbar.
Easily Deploy and Update Applications
Companies can easily deploy applications for the Microsoft Office system built with Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition by using the same ClickOnce deployment method used for other applications for Windows. Development groups can simply copy a new version of an application to a directory on a Web server and send users a link to the application in an e mail message.
Build Software for Mobile Devices
Mobile employees are often forced to work inefficiently, such as spending additional time in the office transferring paper-based records to a line-of-business application. Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition makes it easy to extend the information in existing systems and applications to Windows Mobile powered devices, enabling mobile users to work more productively by putting the capabilities and information that mobile workers need at their fingertips when it is most usefulÑwhile they are on the move.
Develop Mobile Applications Using Existing Skills
Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition makes it easy to extend the information in line-of-business systems to mobile workers. A project template for Windows Mobile-based applications provides a workspace with familiar tools, while the .NET Compact Framework lets developers use existing skills and familiar technologies, such as Windows Forms, Windows Communication Foundation, and LINQ. Enhanced mobile Windows Forms controls make it easy to modify and optimize mobile applications' screens to support the smaller displays of mobile devices.
Easily Test and Deploy Mobile Applications
New device emulators automate testing scenarios, allowing developers to simulate real-world changes in device state, such as signal drop-off or a battery running out of power. Unit-testing support lets developers reuse some of the same unit tests that have been developed for a desktop version of a mobile application, or write new ones where needed. A security-aware IDE makes it easy to understand and manage custom security settings, and to view, add, remove, and manage security certificates on the device.
Manage and Synchronize Data
Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition provides integrated support for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition, a free, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005 that makes an ideal, high-performance local data store for mobile applications. Developers can keep local data synchronized using the Microsoft Sync Framework, which enables collaboration and offline access for applications, services, and devices, including technologies and tools that enable roaming, sharing, and taking data offline.
Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition and Standard Edition share the following features in the Integrated Development Environment (IDE):
Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition and Standard Edition differ as follows:
Feature | Standard Edition | Professional Edition |
Build applications for the Microsoft Office system | No | Yes2 |
Build software for mobile devices | No | Yes |
Software Assurance-Eligible | No | Yes3 |
User experience | Simplified menus and defaults | Full |
Documentation | Online4 | Online and Offline |
Class Designer and Object Test Bench | No | Yes5 |
Crystal Reports | No | Yes |
Server Explorer | No | Yes |
Unit Testing | No | Yes6 |
Additional Tools Included | SQL Server 2005 Express Edition | SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition |
Notes:
Microsoft BizTalk Server - automating business processes by interconnecting different IT systems across one or multiple organizations using BizTalk Server. For instance, an e-retailer is a prime example of how implementing Microsoft BizTalk can make ordering products from your site a breeze. Except for physically packing the order - the entire process, from the customer clicking submit to the product leaving your warehouse goes on behind the scenes...
BizTalk 2006 - understanding the basics of message flow in Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006. Or in layman's terms, how the BizTalk server processes business requests between different applications. It's important for managers and IT staff to understand the basics of how the various systems are tied together...
Utilizing Microsoft BizTalk Server - Existing business software applications integrate to provide seamless information sharing and process automation. Software applications are instrumental for most businesses today to operate and grow no matter if they're large or small. Chances are, those applications were developed at different times using diverse platforms and technologies and present a big challenge to maintaining and building efficiency within the organization...
Nonprofit Website Design Tips - Invite donors and volunteers to your organization with these tips and tools for creating a successful nonprofit website.
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