Visual C# Features

Microsoft Visual C# 2008 is the comprehensive toolset for creating XML Web services and Microsoft .NET—connected applications for Microsoft Windows® and the Web. This robust development package, which uses the component-oriented C# development language, offers beginning and intermediate developers with C++ or Java experience a modern language and environment for creating next-generation software. Visual C# 2008 delivers superior functionality for streamlining business processes, including:

• Rapid design, development, and deployment support for creating and consuming Web services.
• Form designers and visual controls for creating rich Windows-based applications.
• Authoring tools and services for building powerful Microsoft .NET server-based solutions.
• Migration tools for converting Java-based projects to the Microsoft .NET development environment.
• With Visual C# 2008, developers can build solutions for the broadest range of clients, including Windows, the Web, and mobile or embedded devices. Using this elegant programming language and tool, developers can leverage their existing C++ and Java-language skills and knowledge to be successful in the .NET environment.

A Flexible, Intuitive Language with an Active Community

Intuitive C++-based Language

Use a language modeled on C++ syntax, immediately familiar to C++ and Java developers, as well as intuitive new language constructs that greatly simplify development tasks.

Reliable Interoperability

Employ "unsafe" code to call native Windows APIs, use pre-built COM components, and leverage existing ActiveX controls to seamlessly integrate existing applications and components.

Modern, Component-Oriented Language

Take advantage of inherent support for properties, indexers, delegates, single and multidimensional arrays, advanced inheritance, attributes, versioning, and XML comments.

A Fast-Growing Developer Community

Learn from the rapidly growing community of C# developers and leverage skills across multiple computing environments by using an interoperable, standards-based language.

Powerful Productivity-Enhancing Environment

Complete Windows-based Application Development Environment

With visual inheritance, developers can greatly simplify the creation of Windows-based applications by centralizing in parent forms the common logic and user interface for their entire solution. Using control anchoring and docking, programmers can build resizable forms automatically, while the in-place menu editor enables developers to visually author menus directly from within the Forms Designer.

The Ultimate Developer Toolset

Use Visual Studio .NET productivity features, including the Start Page, improved IntelliSense technology, Toolbox, Task List, and new custom build rules, to quickly build powerful solutions and leverage an active and vibrant developer community.

Powerful Debugging and Testing Tools

Visual C# 2008 includes a powerful remote and multi-language debugger, enabling developers to test applications and build reliable multi-tier solutions that span process boundaries and are written in multiple programming languages. Note: Remote debugging is available only in Visual Studio .NET Professional Edition and higher.

Innovative Language for Quickly Learning Microsoft .NET

Microsoft .NET

Incorporate next-generation technology for resource management, unified types, and remoting to construct reliable, scalable solutions by using a unified type system and data from applications written in any of the more than 20 languages that support .NET. Migrate Java-based projects to Microsoft .NET using the Java Language Conversion Assistant (JLCA).

.NET Framework Class Library

Gain mature and powerful, built-in functionality, including a rich set of collection classes, networking support, multithreading support, string and regular expression classes, and broad support for XML, XML schemas, XML namespaces, XSLT, XPath, and SOAP.

Robust Web Development Environment

Create Web-based solutions in C# using the shared Web Forms Designer and XML Designer. Developers can also use IntelliSense features and tag completion or choose the WYSIWYG editor for drag-and-drop authoring to build interactive Web applications.

Mobile Web Application Development

Available as part of Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, native device support enables developers to construct solutions for a wide variety of mobile devices, including Pocket PCs, Tablet PCs, and mobile phones. Become immediately successful by using the same programming model and techniques for building mobile applications as desktop and Web-based applications.