Microsoft Visual Studio has been popular as a user friendly and easy to use IDE (Integrated Development Environment). It features simplified interface and offers many help as well as comprehensive documentation for programmers to learn. Now in the current release (previously codenamed "Orcas" or Visual Studio 9.0), it's designed to built applications rapidly and even easier than the previous versions.
Equipped with .NET Framework 3.5, it now supports Windows Vista like interface and the development of Office 2007 as well as Office 2003 add-ins. For dynamic websites development, Visual Studio 2008 now supports AJAX. Moreover, it now also supports application development for Windows Mobile 6 based devices (Smartphones or PDAs). The main languages used in VS2008 are C#, Visual Basic, and C++. J# is no longer supported in this version.
There are several versions of Visual Studio 2008. Just like VS2005, Microsoft provides free version of Visual Studio suite which is called Express edition. Comprises of basic functions of the IDE, it gives access to beginner programmers to learn and build basic applications ranging from Windows applications, 3D Games, web applications, and even hardware development. Visual Studio Express also has complete support to MSDN Library, samples, and many plugins (like Facebook development plugin and P2P toolkit) which makes learning to code even faster and fun.
The second version is Standard Edition. It has all the features of Express edition with many additions (like more controls and tools, Language Integrated Query support, refactoring, reverse-engineering protection, and much more) enabling developers to build complex applications quickly.
The third version is Professional Edition. It is basically a Standard Edition with more complete features including smart device application development support, Microsoft Office add-ins development, ASP.NET with AJAX and many more.
The last version which is the most complete is Team System Edition. It is divided to five version: Architecture Edition, Database Design, Development Team, Test Edition and Team Suite. Team System basically is an integrated Application Life Cycle Management solution which allows all members of the development team to work efficiently together. From all of Team System versions, the most complete one is Team Suite that includes all of the other four versions capability.
For complete Visual Studio 2008 versions comparison, please download this data sheet: http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/e/5feb6914-bcdf-432f-81c7-e386812b086a/VisualStudio2008-ProductComparison-v1.07.pdf
Visual Studio 2008 clean interface
Looking at VS2008 interface, it still looks very similar to VS2005. Therefore users of the previous versions of Visual Studio should face no difficulty in learning VS2008. Personally, I like the MSDN supports which helps me a lot in coding and learning Windows API. Also, I would say that VS2008 has the most excellent debugging system I've ever found compared to other IDEs. I also like how IntelliSense code automation works, it really saves my time when developing applications. Moreover, now with The Game Creators SDK and XNA Game Studio Express, you can develop 3D games for Windows and XBOX360 easily.
Try Visual Studio 2008 now by yourself to see how easy to develop program!
Link for Express Edition (All-in-one including C#, Visual Basic, C++, and Web Development): http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/B/5/8B5804AD-4990-40D0-A6AA-CE894CBBB3DC/VS2008ExpressENUX1397868.iso
Link for Professional Edition 90-day trial (3.3GB): http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7701859
Link for Team Suite 90-day trial (3.82GB): http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7701860
Serial for Professional / Team Suite Edition:
PYHYP-WXB3B-B2CCM-V9DX9-VDY8T*
* Use the serial by going to Add or Remove Programs in XP or Programs and Features in Vista > Select Visual Studio 2008 > Uninstall/Change > In maintenance mode enter the serial above and click Upgrade
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