Microsoft Visual Studio

Visual Studio is a service offered by the Microsoft company, integrated development environment for various high-level languages ​​. The current version 12.0 ( " Visual Studio 2013 " ), Visual Basic. NET, C, C , C / CLI, C / CX, C #, F #, SQL Server, Typescript, and Python, as well as HTML, JavaScript and CSS for the development of Windows Store apps. J # is no longer included in Visual Studio 2008.

Visual Studio allows programmers to develop both traditional Windows programs or dynamic websites and web services for the Internet / Intranet and Windows apps, imposed by Windows 8 Windows Store. The main focus is therefore on Windows 8 on the creation of those same apps that are based on the newly introduced with this version runtime Windows Runtime. In all previous versions of Windows, the emphasis continues to be placed on applications for. NET Framework, developed by Microsoft, on the common language runtime -based software platform.

With Visual C , however, the development of native Win32/Win64-Programme is possible. These programs are run by the user later on, but may need to additional software components ("Microsoft Visual C 20xx Redistributable Package " ) will be installed.

From Visual Studio 2003 to Visual Studio 2008 with the. NET Compact Framework and the development of software for mobile devices, such as smartphones and PDAs are supported. For Visual Studio 2010 only support development for Windows Phone 7 is available, which is based on XNA and Silverlight.

• 3.1 Express Editions
• 3.2 Regular editions

History

Version 97

Before the appearance of Visual Studio 97 products for programming Microsoft were marketed separately. After Visual C had 4.0 obtained from the end of 1995 with the " Developer Studio " is already an integrated development environment (IDE ), which was also used by other languages ​​and tools (especially Fortran, Visual SourceSafe, Visual J and the MSDN Library), Microsoft offered from 1997 all the current products in addition to the package. Visual Studio 97 was released in two editions: In the " Professional " edition are Visual Basic 5.0, Visual C 5.0, Visual FoxPro 5.0, Visual J 1.1 and Visual InterDev 1.0 containing ( a new product for the development of web applications ), as well InstallShield ( in a reduced free edition ), and finally a set of SDK tools. In addition, the "Enterprise " version, the version control Visual SourceSafe, Microsoft SQL Server 6.5, Microsoft Transaction Server and other database tools on. " Fortran Power Station " is not part of Visual Studio, probably because Microsoft had discontinued the product recently and propagated the Fortran translator from another provider. The compiler included do not support 16 -bit code more. For Visual Studio 97 appeared three (cumulative ) service packs.

Version 6.0

The 1998 published Visual Studio 6.0 is broadly comparable with the previous version, it reappeared in two editions. The individual products here all have the version 6.0 ( which you have just skipped to the part version numbers ). Among many improvements, the collection of development tools and additional components is also abundant, especially in the "Enterprise " edition. However, just made ​​this extent at that time quite clear that Visual Studio basically no product " of a piece" was. While some programming languages ​​share an IDE, Visual Basic and Visual FoxPro are therefore continue with their own development environments. A number of tools have to be installed separately. In contrast, includes help and documentation, based on the MSDN Library now virtually all the products under one roof ( a fact which is not always simplifies the targeted information search). For Visual Studio 6.0, a total of six service packs released, it was cumulative SP 5, SP 6 related only to Visual Basic and Visual C .

Then ended up at Microsoft, the era of "classical" development tools. The following versions of Visual Studio are based on the. NET Framework and also have a significantly different composition. Visual J was discontinued after Sun prohibits the development (or the given Java license terminated ) had. Visual FoxPro still appeared in versions 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0, but only as a single product. Visual Basic 6.0 to this day continues a relatively large popularity because it is the last version to produce native Windows programs. Microsoft has released a support statement for the product as well as individual security updates.

NET. Version

Visual Studio was awarded the suffix ". NET" versions 7 ( "2002" ) and 7.1 ( "2003" ), since version 7 builds on Microsoft's. NET platform, so Microsoft Visual Studio. NET. Focus in this release was the introduction of. NET Frameworks 1.0.

Version 2005

The sequel to " Visual Studio 2005 " internally uses the version number 8 Here the suffix " NET. " Was dropped back to make it clear that the development of native applications with this product is also possible ( but only in C ). The development environment itself requires the framework, it provides the developer free, however, if the programs are to be based on it or not, depending on the programming language used. With VS 2005 programming for the. NET Framework 2.0 is accelerated. With Visual Studio Express for the first time is a free, not limited in its use version. Another plus point is the integration of so-called MDAs.

Version 2008

Visual Studio 2008 ( internal version number 9 ) is aligned to the new opportunities. NET Framework versions 3.0 and 3.5 and provides, for example with LINQ new features. J # is no longer part of the package and is not available separately, as the development has been discontinued.

The service pack number 1 ( SP1 for short ) was published on 11 August 2008 for the German -speaking world. Also included is the Service Pack 1 for the. NET Framework version 3.5. This service pack addresses issues that have been identified by working with Microsoft customers and partners as well as internal testing. In addition, this service pack provide improvements to the responsiveness, stability and performance.

Version 2010

Visual Studio 2010 ( internal version number 10) has a comprehensively revised interface based on the Windows Presentation Foundation and supports multiple connected screens. F # is the first time comes with the Visual Studio. In addition, a new extension interface for the code editor has been introduced. Furthermore, VS2010 includes a new so-called retrospective debugger, runtime information can (eg variable contents ) of running code that is before a breakpoint, display. In addition, 64- bit compilers are available. As in the previous version, Visual Studio 2010, an integrated web server for development ready.

As the official release date for Visual Studio 2010 (along with the. NET Framework 4.0 ) had been named by Microsoft March 22, 2010, but because of unsatisfactory working speed of the beta versions of the release date has been postponed to April 12, 2010, which ultimately was respected. In early December 2010 started the beta test of the first service pack to Visual Studio 2010, which was released in March 2011.

With this version, Microsoft provides support for Windows 2000 as a target platform a. Program files that were generated with Microsoft Visual C 2010, use at least Windows XP requires Service Pack 2, as the build "Visual C 2010 " run-time libraries on Win32 API functions that were not available in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows. Visual Studio 2010, however, allows the " toolset " of Visual Studio 2008 to access (if this is also installed on the developer's system) to continue to support older versions of Windows as the target platform.

Version 2012

Along with the Windows 8 Developer Preview ( Developer Preview ) was introduced in late 2011, the beta of Visual Studio 11, which was later named as " Visual Studio 2012 ". Visual Studio 2012 has been optimized especially for the programming of so-called Metro style apps that can be programmed with HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3. Developers can directly publish the Windows Store then. It is also intended by fewer controls on the top and bottom and a more cautious design improve the effectiveness of programming.

With the native compiler of Visual Studio 2012, it was initially not possible to create in C programmed applications that are running on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It will only support newer operating systems. The compiler support for Windows XP and Server 2003 was upgraded as part of the first update for Visual Studio 2012, which is also an earlier version of the Windows SDK brings for this purpose (the current version of the Windows SDK that shipped with Visual Studio 2012, supports Windows XP still does not ). From the beginning, existed in Visual Studio 2012 is also a " multi- targeting " mechanism, which allows you to start the Visual Studio 2010 compiler from the Visual Studio 2012 environment out which support Windows XP and Server 2003.

2013 version

Visual Studio 2013 includes improved features of Visual Studio 2012, that is, increased support of the ISO C / C standards and improved C libraries and higher performance in the C area. In JavaScript, the range of new features were added. Likewise, F # has been improved and at the same time was also support for the. NET Framework 4.5.1 with Visual Studio 2013 added. In the debugger Just my code function (the System, Framework functions, etc. skips ) was installed and the Edit and Continue (change source code that runs on leave the program ) functionality for 64-bit was added. Furthermore, the new analysis capability of the main memory. NET Framework and improvements in unit testing.

Functions

Visual Studio is considered to be easy to use development with many features. The editor supports, for example, depending on the cursor position online help, the showing and hiding blocks of code, color highlighting of keywords, automatic syntax checking and IntelliSense, automatic methods and functional supplement while the Source input. Furthermore, the development environment provides graphical interfaces for the integration of web services, ActiveX and. NET libraries, a " Server Explorer " to access data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server, the Windows Messenger Service or WMI, and WYSIWYG editors to develop the user interface of Windows and Web applications for editing icons and XML documents.

Since Visual Studio. NET (2002) the scope of the supported languages ​​expanded greatly. This was primarily a certification program by Microsoft affects that allows third party to offer its own Visual Studio languages ​​as supplements. Examples are Delphi, Eiffel, F #, or Prolog. In Visual Studio 2008 support for Microsoft's Java version Visual J # was abandoned.

Visual Studio includes an integrated debugger. This includes the " Edit and Continue " feature and allows the subsequent attach to already running processes, both on the local computer or over the network.

For the development of ASP.NET applications, Visual Studio since version 2005 an integrated web server, so that no separate Internet Information Services installation is necessary. Also new in this version are functions for refactoring, which so far by the addition products (" add-ins " ) as ReSharper or Refactor! Pro had to be retrofitted.

Editions

Express Editions

The Express Editions are free, but limited in functionality descendants ( stripped-down versions) of Visual Studio 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 (with the exception of Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows Desktop ) on a single programming language or on Web applications are reduced. You should initially be available for advertising purposes for a limited period free, but rapidly developed into a modern programming tool for students and others who can do without the services of full versions and would have otherwise concerned an illegal copy for occasional use. Ultimately, Microsoft was able to increase the market penetration by the continued availability of the Express versions, reducing the demand for black copies and alternative competitive products and improve its image without disturbing the sales of full versions.

At Microsoft, are in German language only the latest versions of Visual Studio Express for download, in English the previous version (2008) is also available. You can initially be used for 30 days, after a free registration at Microsoft is required for further use.

They are available in four specialized versions: C #, C , Visual Basic and Web Developer, which allows the development of web applications in C # and Visual Basic. The Express Editions are missing capabilities such as remote debugging, team spirit and connection to a source control system or the MFC. Also, no applications for mobile devices can be designed. Next missing auxiliary tools such as the Resource Editor or the 64 -bit compiler. Projects that incorporate the afxres.h file, but can be compiled, if you instead integrates the " windows.h " file at this point.

With Visual Studio 2010 Express versions of the range was expanded to include a new version: Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone. This version is part of the free Windows Phone Developer Tools and helps developers create applications for the Windows Phone 7 platform.

The Express Editions may be used also for commercial projects, and thus created programs and work, in which you hold the copyright themselves, may also be used, sold or published for commercial purposes. So Microsoft does not restrict the use of the Express Editions one of the legal provisions of the Copyright Act for selling software addition, although this is permissible with free software discharged and would not be surprising.

Liability for damages and commercial distribution is, however, excluded in the license conditions. In addition, they require the user to " harmless Microsoft from any claims and defend against all claims, including attorney's fees, related to the distribution or use of your programs ." In the license conditions, a " Consent for Internet- based services " "is included without separate notice ."

After the launch (April 2010) Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express Editions to replace the obsolete versions and are available (May 2010) in German language available for download.

The Express editions of Visual Studio 2012 are no longer divided by language, but according to the target platform. Microsoft now provides the following Visual Studio Express 2012 products: Express for Web Express for Windows 8, Express for Windows Desktop, Express for Windows Phone and Team Foundation Server Express. The products of the Express Edition 2010 are parallel still available.

Regular editions

• Standard Edition

• The Professional Edition includes additional integration with the Microsoft SQL Server, a remote debugger and the possibility of programs for mobile devices, and Microsoft Office applications ( using Visual Studio Tools for Office ) to develop. This variant is available in an Academic Edition, is the licensing laws comparable to the SSL versions of Microsoft Office.

• For Team System is a collection of several different, tailored to specific developer roles editions: Architecture Edition, Database Edition, Development Edition, Test Edition. Team System is used for the entire management of the application life cycle for software teams. The backend is the Microsoft Team Foundation Server. The Team System editions are thus aligned for professional development and use are mainly found in medium and large software companies.

Regular editions of Visual Studio 2010

With the release of Visual Studio 2010 ( 12 April 2010 ) the division into different has been changed " editions": Available are Visual Studio 2010 Professional, Visual Studio 2010 Premium, Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate and Visual Studio 2010 Test Professional.

• Visual Studio Professional has the core functions to develop for Windows, Web, SharePoint, Cloud, and other platforms.

• Visual Studio Premium has all the features of Visual Studio Professional. There are also functions for database development and quality assurance.

• Visual Studio Ultimate takes the place of Visual Studio Team System and covers the entire application lifecycle management.

• Visual Studio Test Professional is a test solution that is integrated with the Team Foundation Server.

Editors

For the development of applications, Visual Studio provides a variety of editors. Some important are:

• Code editors for programming languages ​​mentioned above ( textually )
• Editors for graphical user interfaces ( graphical)
• Datenbank-/Datenbankschema-Editoren (graphic, partly in text )
• Editors for HTML web pages (graphical and textual )
• Editors for XML, XSLT, stylesheets and various XML-based configuration files ( in text )
• Editor for XSD (graphical and textual )
• Graphics editors (icons and bitmaps )
• Editors for binary files ( semi- graphical)
• Editors for creating installers for applications ( graphical)
• Editor Class Diagram (graphic, from Visual Studio 2005)
• Editor for sequence diagrams (graphic, from Visual Studio 2010 )

All text editors support syntax check ( correctness of the source code ), syntax highlighting, IntelliSense ( automatic suggestion of elements ) and Auto Complete ( auto-completion for elements).