View source for Software:Visual Studio

{{Short description|Code editor and IDE}}
{{Infobox software
| logo = Visual Studio Icon 2022.svg
| logo size = 150px
| screenshot = Visual Studio 2013 EN.png
| caption = Screenshot of Visual Studio 2013, editing the source code of a [[C++]] program
| developer = [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]
| programming language = {{hlist|[[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]|[[C++]]}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Copsey|first1=Reed Jr.|date=December 13, 2011|title=Which language is Visual Studio developed in?|url=https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/a109279a-8fc0-4f4c-9887-41a73a7ab679/which-language-is-visual-studio-developed-in?forum=vseditor|website=Microsoft Developer Network|language=en-US|access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref>
| operating system = {{Plainlist|
*[[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] and later
*[[Software:Windows Server 2016|Windows Server 2016]] and later<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2022 Product Family System Requirements|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2022/system-requirements|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Software:MacOS|macOS]] (until 2024)}}
| language = Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish and Turkish<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Language Pack|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48157 |publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=August 29, 2016|archive-date=September 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912030323/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48157|url-status=live}}</ref>
| language count = 13
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q134067|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q134067|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q134067|P348|P548=Q3295609}}
| latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q134067|P348|P548=Q3295609|P577}}
| genre = [[Integrated development environment]]
| license = [[Finance:Freemium|Freemium]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visual Studio Downloads|url=https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/|work=Visual Studio|language=en-US|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=November 23, 2013|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226042854/https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| website = {{url|https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/}}
}}

'''Visual Studio''' is an [[Integrated development environment|integrated development environment]] (IDE) from [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]. It is used to develop [[Computer program|computer program]]s including websites, web apps, web services and [[Mobile app|mobile app]]s. Visual Studio uses Microsoft software development platforms such as [[Software:Windows API|Windows API]], [[Software:Windows Forms|Windows Forms]], [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|Windows Presentation Foundation]], [[Software:Windows Store|Windows Store]] and [[Software:Microsoft Silverlight|Microsoft Silverlight]]. It can produce both [[Machine code|native code]] and managed code.

Visual Studio includes a code editor supporting IntelliSense (the code completion component) as well as [[Code refactoring|code refactoring]]. The integrated debugger works as both a source-level debugger and as a machine-level debugger. Other built-in tools include a [[Profiling (computer programming)|code profiler]], designer for building GUI applications, web designer, class designer, and [[Database schema|database schema]] designer. It accepts plug-ins that expand the functionality at almost every level—including adding support for source control systems (like Subversion and [[Software:Git|Git]]) and adding new toolsets like editors and visual designers for [[Domain-specific language|domain-specific language]]s or toolsets for other aspects of the software development lifecycle (like the [[Software:Azure DevOps Server|Azure DevOps]] client: Team Explorer).

Visual Studio supports 36 different [[Programming language|programming language]]s {{Citation needed|reason=would be nice to list them|date=July 2023}} and allows the code editor and debugger to support (to varying degrees) nearly any programming language, provided a language-specific service exists. Built-in languages include [[C (programming language)|C]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brenner|first1=Pat|date=July 19, 2013|title=C99 library support in Visual Studio 2013|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/c99-library-support-in-visual-studio-2013/|website=Visual C++ Team Blog|publisher=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=August 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805062548/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2013/07/19/c99-library-support-in-visual-studio-2013.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> [[C++]], C++/CLI, [[Visual Basic (.NET)|Visual Basic .NET]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[F Sharp (programming language)|F#]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/f-at-microsoft-research/|title=F# at Microsoft Research|website=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401163549/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/f-at-microsoft-research/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[JavaScript]], [[TypeScript]], [[XML]], [[XSLT]], [[HTML]], and [[CSS]]. Support for other languages such as [[Python (programming language)|Python]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Python IDE For Python Programming|url=http://www.pythonicquest.com/article/best-python-ide/|website=Pythonic Quest|date=January 13, 2017|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118054009/http://www.pythonicquest.com/article/best-python-ide/|archive-date=January 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]], [[Software:Node.js|Node.js]], and [[MUMPS|M]] among others is available via [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]]. [[Java (programming language)|Java]] (and [[J Sharp|J#]]) were supported in the past.

The most basic edition of Visual Studio, the Community edition, is available free of charge. The slogan for Visual Studio Community edition is "Free, fully-featured IDE for students, open-source and individual developers". {{As of|2023|01|10|df=US}}, Visual Studio 2022 is a current production-ready version. Visual Studio 2013, 2015 and 2017 are on Extended Support, while 2019 is on Mainstream Support.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Visual Studio Product Lifecycle and Servicing |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/productinfo/vs-servicing |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=Microsoft Docs |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Architecture==
Visual Studio does not support any programming language, solution or tool intrinsically; instead, it allows the plugging of functionality coded as a VSPackage. When installed, the functionality is available as a ''Service''. The [[Integrated development environment|IDE]] provides three services: SVsSolution, which provides the ability to enumerate projects and solutions; SVsUIShell, which provides windowing and UI functionality (including tabs, toolbars, and tool windows); and SVsShell, which deals with registration of VSPackages. In addition, the IDE is also responsible for coordinating and enabling communication between services.<ref name="vsenviron">{{cite web|title=Visual Studio Development Environment Model|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165114(VS.80).aspx|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=October 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019173446/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165114(VS.80).aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> All editors, designers, project types and other tools are implemented as VSPackages. Visual Studio uses [[Component Object Model|COM]] to access the VSPackages. The Visual Studio [[Software development kit|SDK]] also includes the ''Managed Package Framework'' (''MPF''), which is a set of managed wrappers around the COM-interfaces that allow the Packages to be written in any [[List of CLI languages|CLI compliant language]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VSPackages and Managed Package Framework (MPF)|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166554(VS.80).aspx|url-status=dead|website=Microsoft|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=January 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113011526/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166554(VS.80).aspx}}</ref> However, MPF does not provide all the functionality exposed by the Visual Studio COM interfaces.<ref name="extpage1"/>
The services can then be consumed for creation of other packages, which add functionality to the Visual Studio IDE.

Support for programming languages is added by using a specific VSPackage called a ''Language Service''. A language service defines various interfaces which the VSPackage implementation can implement to add support for various functionalities.<ref name="langserv">{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166391(VS.80).aspx|title=Language Service Essentials|access-date=January 1, 2008|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|work=MSDN|archive-date=January 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112050427/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166391(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Functionalities that can be added this way include syntax coloring, statement completion, brace matching, parameter information tooltips, member lists, and error markers for background compilation.<ref name="langserv"/> If the interface is implemented, the functionality will be available for the language. Language services are implemented on a per-language basis. The implementations can reuse code from the parser or the compiler for the language.<ref name="langserv"/> Language services can be implemented either in native code or managed code. For native code, either the native COM interfaces or the Babel Framework (part of Visual Studio SDK) can be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165670(VS.80).aspx|title=Babel Package Overview|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|work=MSDN|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=January 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112161704/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165670(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> For managed code, the MPF includes wrappers for writing managed language services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166360(VS.80).aspx|title=Managed Language Services overview|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|work=MSDN|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=January 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112123045/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166360(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio does not include any source control support built in but it defines two alternative ways for source control systems to integrate with the IDE.<ref name="scci">{{cite web|title=Source Control Integration Essentials|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165370.aspx|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-date=February 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215121300/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165370.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> A Source Control VSPackage can provide its own customised user interface. In contrast, a source control plugin using the ''MSSCCI'' (Microsoft Source Code Control Interface) provides a set of functions that are used to implement various source control functionality, with a standard Visual Studio user interface.<ref>{{cite web|title=Source Control Plug-ins|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166170.aspx|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-date=September 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926223425/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb166170.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="alan">{{cite web|last=Constantin|first=Alin|title=Microsoft Source Code Control Interface|url=http://alinconstantin.dtdns.net/webdocs/scc/MSSCCI.htm|website=Alin Constantin|access-date=January 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218111934/http://alinconstantin.dtdns.net/webdocs/scc/MSSCCI.htm|archive-date=February 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> MSSCCI was first used to integrate Visual SourceSafe with Visual Studio 6.0 but was later opened up via the Visual Studio SDK. Visual Studio .NET 2002 used MSSCCI 1.1, and Visual Studio .NET 2003 used MSSCCI 1.2. Visual Studio 2005, 2008, and 2010 use MSSCCI Version 1.3, which adds support for rename and delete propagation, as well as asynchronous opening.<ref name="alan"/>

Visual Studio supports running multiple instances of the environment (each with its own set of VSPackages). The instances use different [[Software:Windows Registry|registry hives]] (see MSDN's [https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms724877(VS.85).aspx definition] of the term "registry '''hive'''" in the sense used here) to store their configuration state and are differentiated by their AppId (Application ID). The instances are launched by an AppId-specific .exe that selects the AppId, sets the root hive, and launches the IDE. VSPackages registered for one AppId are integrated with other VSPackages for that AppId. The various product editions of Visual Studio are created using the different AppIds. The Visual Studio Express edition products are installed with their own AppIds, but the Standard, Professional, and Team Suite products share the same AppId. Consequently, one can install the Express editions side-by-side with other editions, unlike the other editions which update the same installation. The professional edition includes a superset of the VSPackages in the standard edition, and the team suite includes a superset of the VSPackages in both other editions. The AppId system is leveraged by the Visual Studio Shell in Visual Studio 2008.<ref name="codefocus">{{cite web|title=Visual Studio Extensibility|url=http://www.code-magazine.com/focus/vsx/|website=CoDe Magazine|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222092117/http://www.code-magazine.com/focus/vsx/|archive-date=February 22, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Features==
===Code editor===
Visual Studio includes a code editor that supports [[Syntax highlighting|syntax highlighting]] and [[Engineering:Autocomplete|code completion]] using IntelliSense for variables, [[Subroutine|functions]], methods, loops, and LINQ queries.<ref name="vs2008editor"/> IntelliSense is supported for the included languages, as well as for [[XML]], [[Cascading Style Sheets]], and [[JavaScript]] when developing web sites and [[Web application|web application]]s.<ref name="vs2008js">{{cite web|last=Guthrie|first=Scott|date=June 22, 2007|title=VS 2008 JavaScript IntelliSense|url=http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/06/21/vs-2008-javascript-intellisense.aspx|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=December 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201231857/http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/06/21/vs-2008-javascript-intellisense.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vs2008css">{{cite web|last=Guthrie|first=Scott|author-link=Scott Guthrie|date=July 25, 2007|title=VS 2008 Web Designer and CSS Support|url=http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/07/25/vs-2008-web-designer-and-css-support.aspx|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=January 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123223227/http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/07/25/vs-2008-web-designer-and-css-support.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Autocomplete suggestions appear in a modeless [[List box|list box]] over the code editor window, in proximity of the editing cursor. In Visual Studio 2008 onwards, it can be made temporarily semi-transparent to see the code obstructed by it.<ref name="vs2008editor">{{cite web|last=Guthrie|first=Scott|author-link=Scott Guthrie|date=July 28, 2007|title=Nice VS 2008 Code Editing Improvements|url=http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/07/28/nice-vs-2008-code-editing-improvements.aspx|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=June 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610060925/http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/07/28/nice-vs-2008-code-editing-improvements.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The code editor is used for all supported languages.

The code editor in Visual Studio also supports setting bookmarks in code for quick navigation. Other navigational aids include [[Code folding|collapsing code blocks]] and [[Incremental search|incremental search]], in addition to normal text search and [[Regular expression|regex]] search.<ref name="feat">{{cite web|title=Visual Studio .NET - Top 10 Code Editor Tips and Tricks|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdntv/transcripts/20030327VSNETABTranscript.aspx|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=March 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323061920/http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdntv/transcripts/20030327VSNETABTranscript.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The code editor also includes a multi-item [[Software:Clipboard (computing)|clipboard]] and a task list.<ref name="feat"/> The code editor supports code snippets, which are saved templates for repetitive code and can be inserted into code and customized for the project being worked on. A management tool for code snippets is built in as well. These tools are surfaced as floating windows which can be set to automatically hide when unused or docked to the side of the screen. The code editor in Visual Studio also supports [[Code refactoring|code refactoring]] including parameter reordering, variable and method renaming, [[Interface (computing)|interface]] extraction, and encapsulation of class members inside properties, among others.

===Debugger===
Visual Studio includes a [[Debugger|debugger]] that works both as a source-level debugger and as a machine-level debugger. It works with both managed code as well as native code and can be used for debugging applications written in any language supported by Visual Studio. In addition, it can also attach to running processes, monitor, and debug those processes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Attaching to Running Processes|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3s68z0b3(VS.80).aspx|publisher=MSDN|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=April 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430070838/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3s68z0b3(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> If source code for the running process is available, it displays the code as it is being run. If source code is not available, it can show the disassembly. The Visual Studio debugger can also create memory dumps as well as load them later for debugging.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d5zhxt22(VS.80).aspx|title=Dumps|publisher=MSDN|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905075655/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d5zhxt22(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Multi-threaded programs are also supported. The debugger can be configured to be launched when an application running outside the Visual Studio environment crashes.

The Visual Studio Debugger allows setting [[Breakpoint|breakpoint]]s (which allow execution to be stopped temporarily at a certain position) and watches (which monitor the values of variables as the execution progresses).<ref>{{cite web|title=Breakpoint Overview|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5557y8b4(VS.80).aspx|website=Microsoft|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=January 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101214121/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5557y8b4(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Breakpoints can be conditional, meaning they get triggered when the condition is met. Code can be [[Program animation|stepped over]], i.e., run one line (of source code) at a time.<ref name="step">{{cite web|title=Code Stepping Overview|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ek13f001(VS.80).aspx|website=Microsoft|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=September 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914202921/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ek13f001(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It can either ''step into'' functions to debug inside it, or ''step over'' it, i.e., the execution of the function body isn't available for manual inspection.<ref name="step"/> The debugger supports ''Edit and Continue'', i.e., it allows code to be edited as it is being debugged. When debugging, if the mouse pointer hovers over any variable, its current value is displayed in a tooltip ("data tooltips"), where it can also be modified if desired. During coding, the Visual Studio debugger lets certain functions be invoked manually from the <code>Immediate</code> tool window. The parameters to the method are supplied at the Immediate window.<ref>{{cite web|title=Debugging at Design Time|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/83hd8f1e(VS.80).aspx|website=Microsoft|language=en-US|access-date=December 31, 2007|archive-date=September 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917015925/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/83hd8f1e(VS.80).aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Designer===
Visual Studio includes many visual designers to aid in the development of applications. These tools include:

;Windows Forms Designer: The Windows Forms designer is used to build GUI applications using Windows Forms. Layout can be controlled by housing the controls inside other containers or locking them to the side of the form. Controls that display data (like textbox, list box and grid view) can be [[Data binding|bound]] to data sources like [[Database|database]]s or queries. Data-bound controls can be created by dragging items from the Data Sources window onto a design surface.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171923.aspx|title=Binding Controls to Data in Visual Studio|publisher=Msdn.microsoft.com|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=May 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515082619/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171923.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The UI is linked with code using an [[Event-driven programming|event-driven programming]] model. The designer generates either [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] or VB.NET code for the application.
;WPF Designer: The WPF designer, codenamed ''Cider'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=950D1EEC-5D4F-4A15-8250-D26E24B80A5D|title=MSDN TV: Introducing "Cider" - The Visual Studio Designer for WPF ("Avalon")|publisher=MSDN TV|access-date=January 1, 2008}}</ref> was introduced with Visual Studio 2008. Like the Windows Forms designer it supports the drag and drop metaphor. It is used to author [[User interface|user interface]]s targeting [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|Windows Presentation Foundation]]. It supports all WPF functionality including [[Data binding|data binding]] and [[Automatic layout|automatic layout]] management. It generates XAML code for the UI. The generated XAML file is compatible with [[Software:Microsoft Expression Design|Microsoft Expression Design]], the designer-oriented product. The XAML code is linked with code using a code-behind model.
;Web designer/development: Visual Studio also includes a web-site editor and designer that allows web pages to be authored by dragging and dropping widgets. It is used for developing [[Software:ASP.NET|ASP.NET]] applications and supports [[HTML]], [[CSS]] and [[JavaScript]]. It uses a code-behind model to link with ASP.NET code. From Visual Studio 2008 onwards, the layout engine used by the web designer is shared with the discontinued [[Software:Microsoft Expression Web|Expression Web]]. There is also [[Software:ASP.NET MVC|ASP.NET MVC]] support for [[Model–view–controller|MVC]] technology as a separate download<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asp.net/mvc/|title=MVC : The Official Microsoft ASP.NET Site|publisher=Asp.net|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624111334/http://www.asp.net/mvc|url-status=live}}</ref> and ASP.NET Dynamic Data project available from Microsoft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asp.net/DynamicData/|title=Dynamic Data Content Map|publisher=Asp.net|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627061835/http://www.asp.net/dynamicdata|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Class designer: The Class Designer is used to author and edit the classes (including its members and their access) using [[Unified Modeling Language|UML]] modeling. The Class Designer can generate [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] and VB.NET code outlines for the classes and methods. It can also generate class diagrams from hand-written classes.
;Data designer: The data designer can be used to graphically edit [[Database schema|database schema]]s, including typed tables, primary and foreign keys and constraints. It can also be used to design queries from the graphical view.
;Mapping designer: From Visual Studio 2008 onwards, the mapping designer is used by [[Language Integrated Query|LINQ to SQL]] to design the mapping between [[Database schema|database schema]]s and the classes that encapsulate the data. The new solution from ORM approach, ADO.NET Entity Framework, replaces and improves the old technology.

===Other tools===
;Properties Editor: The ''Properties Editor'' tool is used to edit properties in a GUI pane inside Visual Studio. It lists all available properties (both read-only and those which can be set) for all objects including classes, forms, web pages and other items.
;Object Browser: The ''Object Browser'' is a namespace and [[Class library|class library]] browser for Microsoft .NET. It can be used to browse the namespaces (which are arranged hierarchically) in managed assemblies. The hierarchy may or may not reflect the organization in the file system.
;Solution Explorer: In Visual Studio parlance, a solution is a set of code files and other resources that are used to build an application. The files in a solution are arranged hierarchically, which might or might not reflect the organization in the file system. The ''Solution Explorer'' is used to manage and browse the files in a solution.
;Team Explorer: ''Team Explorer'' is used to integrate the capabilities of Azure DevOps (either Azure DevOps Services or [[Software:Azure DevOps Server|Azure DevOps Server]]) into the IDE . In addition to version control integration it provides the ability to view and manage individual work items (including user stories, bugs, tasks and other documents). It is included as part of a Visual Studio installation and is also available as a standalone download.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/a/d/2ad44873-8ccb-4a1b-9c0d-23224b3ba34c/VSTFClient.img|title=Team Explorer 2005 (.img file)|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=March 5, 2007|archive-date=December 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224181547/http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/a/d/2ad44873-8ccb-4a1b-9c0d-23224b3ba34c/VSTFClient.img|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0ed12659-3d41-4420-bbb0-a46e51bfca86&displaylang=en|title=Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Explorer|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=March 5, 2007|archive-date=June 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609060302/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0ED12659-3D41-4420-BBB0-A46E51BFCA86&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> 
;Data Explorer: ''Data Explorer'' is used to manage databases on [[Software:Microsoft SQL Server|Microsoft SQL Server]] instances. It allows creation and alteration of database tables (either by issuing T-SQL commands or by using the Data designer). It can also be used to create queries and [[Stored procedure|stored procedure]]s, with the latter in either T-SQL or in managed code via [[SQL CLR]]. Debugging and IntelliSense support is available as well.
;Server Explorer: The ''Server Explorer'' tool is used to manage database connections on an accessible computer. It is also used to browse running Windows Services, performance counters, Windows Event Log and [[Message queue|message queue]]s and use them as a datasource.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316649|title=How to use the Server Explorer in Visual Studio .NET and Visual Studio 2005|access-date=January 1, 2008|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|archive-date=August 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803041035/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316649|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Dotfuscator Community Edition: Visual Studio includes a free 'light' version of [[Dotfuscator]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/ide/dotfuscator/|title=Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 documentation: PreEmptive Protection - Dotfuscator .NET Obfuscator and Code Hardening Tool|publisher=Microsoft.com|date=March 15, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111432/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/ide/dotfuscator/|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Text Generation Framework: Visual Studio includes a full text generation framework called [[Software:Text Template Transformation Toolkit|T4]] which enables Visual Studio to generate text files from templates either in the IDE or via code.
;ASP.NET Web Site Administration Tool: The [[Software:ASP.NET Web Site Administration Tool|ASP.NET Web Site Administration Tool]] allows for the configuration of [[Software:ASP.NET|ASP.NET]] websites.
;Visual Studio Tools for Office: [[Software:Visual Studio Tools for Office|Visual Studio Tools for Office]] is a SDK and an add-in for Visual Studio that includes tools for developing for the [[Software:Microsoft Office|Microsoft Office]] suite. Previously (for Visual Studio .NET 2003 and Visual Studio 2005) it was a separate SKU that supported only Visual C# and [[Visual Basic .NET|Visual Basic]] languages or was included in the Team Suite. With Visual Studio 2008, it is no longer a separate SKU but is included with Professional and higher editions. A separate runtime is required when deploying VSTO solutions.

===Testing tools===
Microsoft Visual Studio can write high-quality code with comprehensive testing tools to aid in the development of applications. These tools include:<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Code Testing Tools & Services {{!}} Visual Studio|url=https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/features/testing-tools/|access-date=2022-10-16|website=Visual Studio|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Unit testing]], IntelliTest, Live Unit Testing, Test Explorer, CodeLens test indicators, Code coverage analysis, Fakes.<ref name=":2"/>

===Extensibility===
Visual Studio allows developers to write extensions for Visual Studio to extend its capabilities. These extensions "plug into" Visual Studio and extend its functionality. Extensions come in the form of ''macros'', ''add-ins'', and ''packages''. Macros represent repeatable tasks and actions that developers can record programmatically for saving, replaying, and distributing. Macros, however, cannot implement new commands or create tool windows. They are written using [[Visual Basic]] and are not compiled.<ref name="extpage1">{{cite web|url=http://www.codeguru.com/csharp/.net/net_vs_addins/visualstudioadd-ins/article.php/c11835/|title=Extending Visual Studio 2005|first=Vijay|last=Mehta|work=CodeGuru|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=March 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317230720/http://www.codeguru.com/csharp/.net/net_vs_addins/visualstudioadd-ins/article.php/c11835|url-status=live}}</ref> Add-Ins provide access to the Visual Studio object model and can interact with the IDE tools. Add-Ins can be used to implement new functionality and can add new tool windows. Add-Ins are plugged into the IDE via [[Component Object Model|COM]] and can be created in any COM-compliant languages.<ref name="extpage1"/> Packages are created using the Visual Studio SDK and provide the highest level of extensibility. They can create designers and other tools, as well as integrate other programming languages. The Visual Studio SDK provides unmanaged [[API]]s as well as a managed API to accomplish these tasks. However, the managed API isn't as comprehensive as the unmanaged one.<ref name="extpage1"/> Extensions are supported in the Standard (and higher) versions of Visual Studio 2005. Express Editions do not support hosting extensions.

Visual Studio 2008 introduced the '''Visual Studio Shell''' that allows for development of a customized version of the IDE. The Visual Studio Shell defines a set of VSPackages that provide the functionality required in any IDE. On top of that, other packages can be added to customize the installation. The Isolated mode of the shell creates a new AppId where the packages are installed. These are to be started with a different executable. It is aimed for development of custom development environments, either for a specific language or a specific scenario. The Integrated mode installs the packages into the AppId of the Professional/Standard/Team System editions, so that the tools integrate into these editions.<ref name="codefocus"/> The Visual Studio Shell is available as a free download.

After the release of Visual Studio 2008, Microsoft created the Visual Studio Gallery. It serves as the central location for posting information about extensions to Visual Studio. Community developers as well as commercial developers can upload information about their extensions to Visual Studio .NET 2002 through Visual Studio 2010. Users of the site can rate and review the extensions to help assess the quality of extensions being posted. An extension is stored in a [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/extensibility/anatomy-of-a-vsix-package?view=vs-2022 VSIX] file. Internally a VSIX file is a ZIP file that contains some XML files, and possibly one or more DLL's. One of the main advantages of these extensions is that they do not require Administrator rights to be installed. RSS feeds to notify users on updates to the site and tagging features are also planned.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cangialosi|first1=Anthony|title=The Visual Studio Gallery gets a little more community friendly|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/acangialosi/archive/2008/06/06/the-visual-studio-gallery-gets-a-little-more-community-friendly.aspx|website=Anthony @ MS|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=August 3, 2014|date=June 6, 2008|archive-date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513025658/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/acangialosi/archive/2008/06/06/the-visual-studio-gallery-gets-a-little-more-community-friendly.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Supported products==
;[[Software:Microsoft Visual C++|Microsoft Visual C++]]:Microsoft Visual C++ is Microsoft's partial implementation of the [[C (programming language)|C]] and full implementation [[C++]] [[Compiler|compiler]] and associated languages-services and specific tools for integration with the Visual Studio IDE. It can compile either in C mode or C++ mode. For C++, as of version 15.7 it conforms to [[C++17]].<ref name="blogs.msdn.microsoft.com">{{Cite news|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cppblog/announcing-msvc-conforms-to-the-c-standard/|title=Announcing: MSVC Conforms to the C++ Standard|access-date=November 7, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826095016/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vcblog/2018/05/07/announcing-msvc-conforms-to-the-c-standard/|url-status=live}}</ref> The C implementation of Visual Studio 2015 still doesn't support the full standard; in particular, the complex number header [[Software:C mathematical functions#complex.h|complex.h]] introduced in C99 is unsupported.

:Visual C++ supports the C++/CLI specification to write managed code, as well as mixed-mode code (a mix of native and managed code). Microsoft positions Visual C++ for development in native code or in code that contains both native as well as managed components. Visual C++ supports [[Component Object Model|COM]] as well as the MFC library. For MFC development, it provides a set of wizards for creating and customizing MFC [[Boilerplate code|boilerplate code]], and creating GUI applications using MFC. Visual C++ can also use the Visual Studio forms designer to design UI graphically. Visual C++ can also be used with the [[Software:Windows API|Windows API]]. It also supports the use of ''intrinsic functions'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/intrinsics/compiler-intrinsics|title=Compiler Intrinsics|publisher=Microsoft Docs|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=May 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506095915/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/26td21ds(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> which are functions recognized by the compiler itself and not implemented as a library. Intrinsic functions are used to expose the [[Streaming SIMD Extensions|SSE]] instruction set of modern CPUs. Visual C++ also includes the [[Software:OpenMP|OpenMP]] (version 2.0) specification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/parallel/openmp/openmp-in-visual-cpp|title=OpenMP in Visual C++ (Visual Studio 2005)|work=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=April 27, 2013|year=2005|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921050040/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/tt15eb9t(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
;Microsoft Visual C#: Microsoft Visual C#, Microsoft's implementation of the [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] language, targets the .NET Framework, along with the language services that lets the Visual Studio IDE support C# projects. While the language services are a part of Visual Studio, the compiler is available separately as a part of the .NET Framework. The Visual C# 2008, 2010 and 2012 compilers support versions 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 of the C# language specifications, respectively. Visual C# supports the Visual Studio Class designer, Forms designer, and Data designer among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kx37x362.aspx|title=Visual C# (MSDN)|publisher=MSDN|access-date=June 1, 2009|archive-date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527042348/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kx37x362.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
;[[Visual Basic .NET|Microsoft Visual Basic]]: Microsoft Visual Basic is Microsoft's implementation of the VB.NET language and associated tools and language services. It was introduced with Visual Studio .NET (2002). Microsoft has positioned Visual Basic for Rapid Application Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa302334.aspx|date=October 2010|title=Make Your Components Really RAD with Visual Studio .NET Property Browser|access-date=January 26, 2015|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110161418/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa302334.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa984213%28VS.71%29.aspx|date=October 2010|title=What's New in Visual Basic and Visual C#|access-date=January 26, 2015|archive-date=November 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130193955/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa984213(VS.71).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Visual Basic can be used to author both console applications as well as GUI applications. Like Visual C#, Visual Basic also supports the Visual Studio Class designer, Forms designer, and Data designer among others. Like C#, the VB.NET compiler is also available as a part of .NET Framework, but the language services that let VB.NET projects be developed with Visual Studio, are available as a part of the latter.
;Microsoft Visual Web Developer: Microsoft Visual Web Developer is used to create web sites, [[Web application|web application]]s and web services using ASP.NET. Either [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] or VB.NET languages can be used. Visual Web Developer can use the Visual Studio Web Designer to graphically design web page layouts.
;Azure DevOps:Azure DevOps is intended for collaborative [[Software development|software development]] projects and provides [[Version control|version control]], work planning and tracking, data collection, and [[Report|report]]ing. It also includes the ''Team Explorer'' which is integrated inside Visual Studio. On September 10, 2018, Microsoft announced a rebranding of Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS) to Azure DevOps Services and Team Foundation Server (TFS) to [[Software:Azure DevOps Server|Azure DevOps Server]].<ref name=":0"/>

===Previous products===
;[[Software:Visual FoxPro|Visual FoxPro]]: Visual FoxPro is a data-centric object-oriented and [[Procedural programming|procedural]] [[Programming language|programming language]] produced by [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]. It derives from FoxPro (originally known as '''FoxBASE''') which was developed by Fox Software beginning in 1984. Visual FoxPro is tightly integrated with its own relational database engine, which extends FoxPro's xBase capabilities to support [[SQL]] queries and data manipulation. Visual FoxPro is a full-featured,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vfoxpro/bb190225.aspx|title=Visual FoxPro Home, under Visual FoxPro 9.0 Overview|publisher=MSDN|access-date=March 8, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310203800/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vfoxpro/bb190225.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dynamic programming language|dynamic programming language]] that does not require the use of an additional general-purpose programming environment. In 2007, Visual FoxPro was discontinued after version 9 Service Pack 2. It was supported until 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vfoxpro/bb308952.aspx|title=A Message to the Community|publisher=MSDN|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=August 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806224136/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vfoxpro/bb308952.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

;Visual SourceSafe: Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a source control [[Software|software]] package oriented towards small software-development projects. The SourceSafe database is a multi-user, multi-process file-system database, using the Windows file system database primitives to provide locking and sharing support. All versions are multi-user, using [[Server Message Block|SMB]] (file server) networking.<ref>{{cite web|last=De|first=Alan|url=http://www.highprogrammer.com/alan/windev/sourcesafe.html|title=Visual SourceSafe: Microsoft's Source Destruction System|publisher=Highprogrammer.com|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=August 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831104115/http://www.highprogrammer.com/alan/windev/sourcesafe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q131022/|title=INFO: Required Network Rights for the SourceSafe Directories|publisher=Support.microsoft.com|date=February 24, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=January 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126223953/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q131022/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb509342.aspx|title=Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Best Practices|date=May 30, 2007 |publisher=Msdn.microsoft.com|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=June 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605021939/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb509342.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> However, with Visual SourceSafe 2005, other client–server modes were added, Lan Booster and VSS Internet (which used [[HTTP]]/[[HTTPS]]). Visual SourceSafe 6.0 was available as a stand-alone product<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecostsoftware.com/microsoft/microsoft-visual-sourcesafe-6_p2051|title=Buy Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 6 (324-00269) :: eCostSoftware.com - UK Software Supplier|publisher=eCostSoftware.com|access-date=September 6, 2009|archive-date=December 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208035618/http://www.ecostsoftware.com/microsoft/microsoft-visual-sourcesafe-6_p2051|url-status=live}}</ref> and was included with Visual Studio 6.0, and other products such as Office Developer Edition. Visual SourceSafe 2005 was available as a stand-alone product and included with the 2005 Team Suite. [[Software:Azure DevOps Server|Azure DevOps]] has superseded VSS as Microsoft's recommended platform for source control.

;[[Software:Visual J++|Microsoft Visual J++]]/[[Visual J Sharp|Microsoft Visual J#]]: Microsoft Visual J++ was [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]'s implementation of the [[Java (programming language)|Java]] language (with Microsoft-specific extensions) and associated language services. It was discontinued as a result of litigation from [[Company:Sun Microsystems|Sun Microsystems]], and the technology was recycled into Visual J#, Microsoft's Java compiler for .NET Framework. J# was available with Visual Studio 2005 (supported until 2015) but was discontinued in Visual Studio 2008.

;[[Software:Visual InterDev|Visual InterDev]]: Visual InterDev was used to create web applications using Microsoft [[Software:Active Server Pages|Active Server Pages]] (ASP) technologies. It supports code completion and includes [[Database|database]] server management tools. It has been replaced with Microsoft Visual Web Developer.

==Editions==
Microsoft Visual Studio is available in the following editions or SKUs:<ref name="Visual Studio Editions">{{cite web|url=https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/compare/|title=Compare Visual Studio 2019 Editions|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=March 11, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312064304/https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/compare/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Community===
The Community edition was announced on November 12, 2014, as a new free version, with similar functionality to Visual Studio Professional. Prior to this date, the only free editions of Visual Studio were the feature-limited Express variants. Unlike the [[Software:Microsoft Visual Studio Express|Express variants]], Visual Studio Community supports multiple languages, and provides support for extensions. Individual developers have no restrictions on their use of the Community edition. The following uses also allow unlimited usage: contributing to Open Source projects, academic research, in a classroom learning environment and for developing and testing device drivers for the Windows operating system. All other use by an organization depends on its classification as an Enterprise (more than 250 employees or more than 1 million {{wipe|United States dollar}} in annual revenue, per Microsoft).<ref name=":1"/> Non-Enterprises may use up to 5 copies without restriction, user number 6 and higher require a commercial license; Enterprise organizations require a commercial license for use outside of the noted exceptions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Visual-Studio-2017-Licensing-Whitepaper-November-2017.pdf|title=Visual Studio 2017 licensing white paper|date=November 2017|access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811134203/https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Visual-Studio-2017-Licensing-Whitepaper-November-2017.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/compare/|title=Compare Visual Studio Product Offerings {{!}} Visual Studio|website=visualstudio.microsoft.com|access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811133302/https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/compare/|url-status=live}}</ref> Visual Studio Community is oriented towards individual developers and small teams.<ref name="vb-vscommunity">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/11/12/microsoft-debuts-visual-studio-2015-and-net-2015-previews-free-visual-studio-community-2013/|title=Microsoft debuts Visual Studio 2015 and .NET 2015 previews, free Visual Studio Community 2013|website=VentureBeat|access-date=November 12, 2014|date=November 12, 2014|archive-date=November 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112170302/http://venturebeat.com/2014/11/12/microsoft-debuts-visual-studio-2015-and-net-2015-previews-free-visual-studio-community-2013/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vb-vscommunity2">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/12/microsoft-makes-visual-studio-free-for-small-teams/|title=Microsoft Launches Free, Unrestricted Version Of Visual Studio For Small Teams|date=November 12, 2014|publisher=TechCrunch|access-date=November 12, 2014|archive-date=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113013149/http://techcrunch.com/2014/11/12/microsoft-makes-visual-studio-free-for-small-teams/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Professional===
As of Visual Studio 2010, the Professional edition is the entry level [[Commercial software|commercial edition]] of Visual Studio. (Previously, a more feature restricted Standard edition was available.)<ref name="VS 2010 Licensing Changes">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bharry/archive/2009/10/19/vs-2010-licensing-changes.aspx|title=VS 2010 Licensing Changes|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=June 22, 2010|date=October 19, 2009|archive-date=August 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806122812/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bharry/archive/2009/10/19/vs-2010-licensing-changes.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It provides an IDE for all supported development languages. MSDN support is available as MSDN Essentials or the full MSDN library depending on licensing. It supports [[XML]] and [[XSLT]] editing, and can create deployment packages that only use [[ClickOnce]] and [[Software:Windows Installer|MSI]]. It includes tools like Server Explorer and integration with [[Software:Microsoft SQL Server|Microsoft SQL Server]] also. Windows Mobile development support was included in Visual Studio 2005 Standard, however, with Visual Studio 2008, it is only available in Professional and higher editions. Windows Phone 7 development support was added to all editions in Visual Studio 2010. Development for [[Software:Windows Mobile|Windows Mobile]] is no longer supported in Visual Studio 2010. It is superseded by [[Software:Windows Phone 7|Windows Phone 7]].

===Enterprise===
In addition to the features provided by the Professional edition, the Enterprise edition provides a new set of software development, database development, collaboration, metrics, architecture, testing and reporting tools.

==History==
The first version of Visual Studio was Visual Studio 97.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itprotoday.com/microsoft-visual-studio/visual-studio-97|title=Visual Studio 97|first=Michael|last=Otey|work=Windows IT Pro|date=April 30, 1997|access-date=February 3, 2018|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204185411/http://www.itprotoday.com/microsoft-visual-studio/visual-studio-97|url-status=live}}</ref> Before that, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual FoxPro and Visual SourceSafe were sold as separate products.

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style=text-align:center
|-
!scope=col|Product name
!scope=col|Code name
!scope=col|Release date
!scope=col|Version<br>number
!scope=col|Latest update version
!scope=col|Latest update date
!scope=col|Support ends
!scope=col|Supported<br>.NET Framework<br>(no add-on)
!scope=col|Supported .NET <br>(formerly .NET Core)<br>(no add-on)
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 97
|''Boston''<ref name="WPWCEP"/>||March 19, 1997<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Announces Visual Studio 97, A Comprehensive Suite of Microsoft Visual Development Tools|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1997/01/28/microsoft-announces-visual-studio-97-a-comprehensive-suite-of-microsoft-visual-development-tools/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=January 28, 1997|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804023805/https://news.microsoft.com/1997/01/28/microsoft-announces-visual-studio-97-a-comprehensive-suite-of-microsoft-visual-development-tools/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Unveils Enterprise Edition of New Visual Studio 97|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1997/02/18/microsoft-unveils-enterprise-edition-of-new-visual-studio-97/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=February 18, 1997|access-date=February 8, 2020|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410221243/https://news.microsoft.com/1997/02/18/microsoft-unveils-enterprise-edition-of-new-visual-studio-97/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=More Than 45,000 Developers See Public Unveiling Of New Microsoft Visual Studio 97 at Developer Days Events Worldwide|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1997/03/18/more-than-45000-developers-see-public-unveiling-of-new-microsoft-visual-studio-97-at-developer-days-events-worldwide/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 18, 1997|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410221244/https://news.microsoft.com/1997/03/18/more-than-45000-developers-see-public-unveiling-of-new-microsoft-visual-studio-97-at-developer-days-events-worldwide/|url-status=live}}</ref>||5.0||Service Pack 3||{{dts|1997|12|04}}||{{Version|o|June 30, 2003}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/2970|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814055333/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/2970|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3002|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814235955/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3002|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{N/A}}||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 6.0
|''Aspen''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=4647&iTestingId=15855|title=Visual Studio 1998 (6.0)|work=WineHQ|publisher=CodeWeavers|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517163900/http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=4647&iTestingId=15855|url-status=live}}</ref>||September 2, 1998<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio 6.0 Enterprise Edition At Tech-Ed Developer Conference|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1998/06/03/microsoft-unveils-visual-studio-6-0-enterprise-edition-at-tech-ed-developer-conference/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=June 3, 1998|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804000317/https://news.microsoft.com/1998/06/03/microsoft-unveils-visual-studio-6-0-enterprise-edition-at-tech-ed-developer-conference/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Announces Worldwide Availability of Visual Studio 6.0 At Dev Days '98|url=https://news.microsoft.com/1998/09/02/microsoft-announces-worldwide-availability-of-visual-studio-6-0-at-dev-days-98/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=September 2, 1998|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804030707/https://news.microsoft.com/1998/09/02/microsoft-announces-worldwide-availability-of-visual-studio-6-0-at-dev-days-98/|url-status=live}}</ref>||6.0||Service Pack 6<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 6.0 SP6|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/mswanson/visual-studio-6-0-sp6|website=Mike Swanson's Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 30, 2004|access-date=January 25, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125061050/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/mswanson/visual-studio-6-0-sp6|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2004|03|29}}||{{Version|o|September 30, 2005}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3042|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813202058/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3042|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3003|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813071628/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3003|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{N/A}}||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio .NET (2002)
|''Rainier''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=15422|title=Visual Studio .NET (2002)|work=WineHQ|publisher=CodeWeavers|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518200703/https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=15422|url-status=live}}</ref>||February 13, 2002<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Launches XML Web Services Revolution With Visual Studio .NET and .NET Framework|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2002/02/13/microsoft-launches-xml-web-services-revolution-with-visual-studio-net-and-net-framework/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=February 13, 2002|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803225040/https://news.microsoft.com/2002/02/13/microsoft-launches-xml-web-services-revolution-with-visual-studio-net-and-net-framework/|url-status=live}}</ref>||7.0||Service Pack 1<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio .NET 2002 SP1 is now available for download|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/archive/blogs/astebner/visual-studio-net-2002-sp1-is-now-available-for-download|website=Aaron Stebner's WebLog|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 8, 2005|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803224925/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/astebner/visual-studio-net-2002-sp1-is-now-available-for-download|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2005|03|08}}||{{Version|o|July 14, 2009}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3039|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813071629/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3039|url-status=live}}</ref>||1.0||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio .NET 2003
|''Everett''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=1173|title=Visual Studio .NET 2003|work=WineHQ|publisher=CodeWeavers|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518201000/https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=1173|url-status=live}}</ref>||April 24, 2003<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Announces Visual Studio .NET 2003 Worldwide Availability|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2003/04/23/microsoft-announces-visual-studio-net-2003-worldwide-availability/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=April 23, 2003|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813194302/https://news.microsoft.com/2003/04/23/microsoft-announces-visual-studio-net-2003-worldwide-availability/|url-status=live}}</ref>||7.1||Service Pack 1<ref>{{cite web|title=VS .NET 2003 SP1 is available!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/vs-net-2003-sp1-is-available/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 16, 2006|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222055743/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/vs-net-2003-sp1-is-available/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2006|08|15}}||{{Version|o|October 8, 2013}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3040|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813071630/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3040|url-status=live}}</ref>||1.1||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2005
|''Whidbey''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=4494|title=Visual Studio 2005|work=WineHQ|publisher=CodeWeavers|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518201012/https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=4494|url-status=live}}</ref>||November 7, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Joins Customers and Partners to Launch SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2005/11/07/microsoft-joins-customers-and-partners-to-launch-sql-server-2005-visual-studio-2005-and-biztalk-server-2006/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=November 7, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2005 and .NET Framework 2.0 shipped!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2005-and-net-framework-2-0-shipped/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=October 27, 2005|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221062224/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2005-and-net-framework-2-0-shipped/|url-status=live}}</ref>||8.0||Service Pack 1<ref>{{cite web|title=VS 2005 SP1 is released!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/vs-2005-sp1-is-released/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=December 15, 2006|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222054635/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/vs-2005-sp1-is-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2006|12|15}}||{{Version|o|April 12, 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3041|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813071628/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/3041|url-status=live}}</ref>||2.0||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2008
|''Orcas''<ref name="cn-orcas"/>||November 19, 2007<ref>{{cite web|title=Empowering Developers with Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2007/11/19/empowering-developers-with-visual-studio-2008-and-the-net-framework-3-5/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=November 19, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 shipped!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2008-and-net-framework-3-5-shipped/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=November 19, 2007|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221062220/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2008-and-net-framework-3-5-shipped/|url-status=live}}</ref>||9.0||Service Pack 1<ref>{{cite web|title=Service Pack 1 for VS 2008 and .NET FX 3.5 released!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/service-pack-1-for-vs-2008-and-net-fx-3-5-released/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 11, 2008|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222054638/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/service-pack-1-for-vs-2008-and-net-fx-3-5-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2008|08|11}}||{{Version|o|April 10, 2018}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/12913|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814235956/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/12913|url-status=live}}</ref>||2.0, 3.0, 3.5||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2010
|''Dev10''<ref name="cn-dev10"/>||April 12, 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Available|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2010/04/11/microsoft-visual-studio-2010-and-microsoft-net-framework-4-available/|website=Press Releases|publisher=Microsoft|date=April 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2010 is now available!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010-is-now-available/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=November 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109122429/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010-is-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing availability of Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/announcing-availability-of-visual-studio-2010-and-net-framework-4/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=April 11, 2010|access-date=December 21, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221062221/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/announcing-availability-of-visual-studio-2010-and-net-framework-4/|url-status=live}}</ref>||10.0||Service Pack 1<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2010 SP1 Now Available|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010-sp1-now-available/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222054637/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010-sp1-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2010 enhancements|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2010-enhancements/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 7, 2011|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222054636/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2010-enhancements/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2011|03|10}}||{{Version|o|July 14, 2020}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/20179|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Search Product and Services Lifecycle Information - Microsoft Lifecycle|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814105522/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search/20179|url-status=live}}</ref>||2.0–4.0||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2012
|''Dev11''||September 12, 2012<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2012 released to the web!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2012-released-to-the-web/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 22, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051025/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2012-released-to-the-web/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2012 and .NET 4.5 now available!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-now-available/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051025/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2012 and .NET 4.5 Launch|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-launch/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051027/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-launch/|url-status=live}}</ref>||11.0||Update 5<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2012 Update 5 RTM Released|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2012-update-5-rtm-released/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 27, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222055726/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2012-update-5-rtm-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2015|08|24}}||{{Version|o|January 10, 2023}}<ref name="docs.microsoft.com"/>||2.0–4.5||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2013
|''Dev12''||October 17, 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2013 released to web!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2013-released-to-web/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051026/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2013-released-to-web/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2013 available for download|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2013-available-for-download/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051031/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2013-available-for-download/|url-status=live}}</ref>||12.0||Update 5<ref name="VS1215_VS2103_12.5"/>||{{dts|2015|07|20}}||{{Version|co|April 9, 2024}}<ref name="docs.microsoft.com"/>||2.0–4.5.1||{{N/A}}
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2015
|''Dev14''||July 20, 2015<ref name="VS1215_VS2103_12.5">{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2015 and Visual Studio 2013 Update 5 Released|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2015-and-visual-studio-2013-update-5-released/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222051030/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2015-and-visual-studio-2013-update-5-released/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2015 and .NET 4.6 Available for Download|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2015-and-net-4-6-available-for-download/|website=Somasegar's blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222052551/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/somasegar/visual-studio-2015-and-net-4-6-available-for-download/|url-status=live}}</ref>||14.0||Update 3<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2015 Update 3 and .NET Core 1.0 Available|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2015-update-3-and-net-core-1-0-available-now/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=June 27, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222055725/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2015-update-3-and-net-core-1-0-available-now/|url-status=live}}</ref>||{{dts|2016|06|27}}||{{Version|co|October 14, 2025}}<ref name="docs.microsoft.com"/>||2.0–4.6.1||1.0
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2017
|''Dev15''||March 7, 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing Visual Studio 2017 General Availability… and more|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/announcing-visual-studio-2017-general-availability-and-more/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=March 7, 2017|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104143256/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/announcing-visual-studio-2017-general-availability-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref>||15.0||15.9.58<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2017 version 15.9 Release Notes|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes|website=Microsoft Learn|language=en-us|date=January 9, 2024}}</ref>||{{dts|2023|10|10}}||{{Version|co|April 13, 2027}}<ref name="docs.microsoft.com">{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/servicing#support-for-older-versions-of-visual-studio|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Support for older versions of Visual Studio|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026041442/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/servicing#support-for-older-versions-of-visual-studio|url-status=live}}</ref>||3.5–4.7.2||1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 2.1
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2019
|''Dev16''||April 2, 2019<ref name="Code faster">{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2019: Code faster. Work smarter. Create the future.|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2019-code-faster-work-smarter-create-the-future/ |first1=John |last1=Montgomery |website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 3, 2019|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129210248/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2019-code-faster-work-smarter-create-the-future/|url-status=live}}</ref>||16.0||16.11.33<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2019 v16.11 is Available Now!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-16-11/ |first1=Mads |last1=Kristensen |website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=August 10, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630085551/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-16-11/ |archive-date= Jun 30, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Visual Studio 2019 version 16.11 Release Notes|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/release-notes|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Microsoft Learn|language=en-us}}</ref>||January 9, 2024||{{Version|co|April 10, 2029}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/visual-studio-2019|website=support.microsoft.com|title=Visual Studio 2019 - Microsoft Lifecycle {{!}} Microsoft Docs|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref>||3.5–4.8||2.1, 2.2, 3.0, 3.1, 5.0<ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing .NET 5.0|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/announcing-net-5-0|website=.NET Blog|date=November 10, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218110932/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/announcing-net-5-0/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!scope=row|Visual Studio 2022
|''Dev17''
|November 8, 2021<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2022 now available|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-now-available/|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=Microsoft|date=November 8, 2021}}</ref>
|17.0
|17.8.5<ref>{{cite web |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Visual Studio 2022 Release Notes |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2022/release-notes#1765--visual-studio-2022-version-1765 |website=Visual Studio Blog |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref>
|January 17, 2024
|{{Version|c|January 13, 2032}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2022 - Microsoft Lifecycle|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/visual-studio-2022}}</ref>
|3.5, 4.6–4.8.1
|2.1, 3.1, 5.0–8.0<ref>{{cite web|title=Announcing .NET 6 — The Fastest .NET Yet|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/announcing-net-6|website=.NET Blog|date=November 8, 2021|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=.NET 7 is Available Today|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/announcing-dotnet-7|website=.NET Blog|date=November 8, 2023|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>
|}

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 97}} 97===
Microsoft first released Visual Studio (codenamed ''Boston'',<ref name="WPWCEP"/> for the city of the same name, thus beginning the VS codenames related to places)<ref name="WPWCEP">{{cite web|url=http://windowsphonesecrets.com/2010/05/18/what-im-doing-in-redmond/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525043828/http://windowsphonesecrets.com/2010/05/18/what-im-doing-in-redmond/|archive-date=May 25, 2010|title=What I'm doing in Redmond|website=Windows Phone Secrets|author=Paul Thurrott}}</ref> in 1997, bundling many of its programming tools together for the first time. Visual Studio 97 came in two editions: Visual Studio Professional and Visual Studio Enterprise, the professional edition has three CDs, and the enterprise four CDs. It included Visual J++ 1.1 for Java programming and introduced Visual InterDev for creating dynamically generated web sites using Active Server Pages.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} There was a single companion CD that contained the Microsoft Developer Network library.

Visual Studio 97 was an attempt at using the same development environment for multiple languages. Visual J++, InterDev, and the MSDN Library had all been using the same 'environment', called Developer Studio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192912|title=update & help from Microsoft website|access-date=January 20, 2011|archive-date=May 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509171326/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192912|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio was also sold as a bundle with the separate IDEs used for Visual C++, Visual Basic and Visual FoxPro.<ref name="codefocus"/>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 6.0 (1998)}} 6.0 (1998)===
The next version, version 6.0 (codenamed ''Aspen'', after the ski resort in Colorado),{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} was released in June 1998 and is the last version to run on the [[Software:Windows 9x|Windows 9x]] platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700918.aspx|title=System Requirements (Visual Studio 6.0)|date=October 3, 2006 |publisher=Microsoft Co.|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=March 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305014255/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700918.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Each version of each language in part also settled to v6.0, including Visual J++ which was prior v1.1, and Visual InterDev at the first release. The v6 edition of Microsoft was the core environment for the next four releases to provide programmers with an integrated look-alike platform. This led Microsoft to transition the development on the platform independent .NET Framework.

Visual Studio 6.0 was the last version to include Visual J++,<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual J++ Solution Center|url=http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vjj|work=Support|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=May 25, 2013|archive-date=July 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729064511/http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vjj|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Visual J++ 6.0|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms950413.aspx|work=MSDN|date=April 8, 2010 |publisher=Microsoft|access-date=May 25, 2013|archive-date=May 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513234017/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms950413.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> which Microsoft removed as part of a settlement with [[Company:Sun Microsystems|Sun Microsystems]] that required Microsoft Internet Explorer not to provide<!--dubious? They could if they followed Sun's rules? But chose not to?--> support for the [[Java virtual machine|Java Virtual Machine]].

Visual Studio 6.0 came in two editions: Professional and Enterprise.<ref>{{cite web|title=Features by Edition|publisher=Microsoft|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/previous/vs6/features/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040215012731/http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/previous/vs6/features/default.aspx|archive-date=February 15, 2004}}</ref> The Enterprise edition contained extra features not found in Professional edition, including:

*Application Performance Explorer
*Automation Manager
*Microsoft Visual Modeler
*RemAuto Connection Manager{{citation needed|date=March 2011}}
*Visual Studio Analyzer
Visual Studio was also sold as a bundle with the separate IDEs used for Visual C++, Visual Basic and Visual FoxPro.<ref name="codefocus"/>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio .NET (2002)}} .NET 2002===
[[File:Visual Studio .NET 2002 EN.png|thumb|The default start page of Visual Studio .NET 2002, running on Windows XP]]
Microsoft released Visual Studio .NET (VS.NET), codenamed ''Rainier'' (for Washington's [[Earth:Mount Rainier|Mount Rainier]]),{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} in February 2002 (the beta version was released via Microsoft Developer Network in 2001). The biggest change was the introduction of a managed code development environment using the .NET Framework. Programs developed using .NET are not compiled to machine language (like C++ is, for example) but instead to a format called Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) or [[Common Intermediate Language]] (CIL). When a CIL application executes, it is [[Just-in-time compilation|compiled while being executed]] into the appropriate machine language for the platform it is being executed on, thereby making code portable across several platforms. Programs compiled into CIL can be executed only on platforms which have an implementation of [[Common Language Infrastructure]]. It is possible to run CIL programs in [[Software:Linux|Linux]] or [[Software:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]] using non-Microsoft .NET implementations like [[Software:Mono|Mono]] and [[Software:DotGNU|DotGNU]].

This was the first version of Visual Studio to require an [[Software:Windows NT|NT]]-based Windows platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700866.aspx|title=System Requirements (Visual Studio .NET)|date=October 12, 2006 |publisher=MSDN|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=November 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115063812/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700866.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The installer enforces this requirement, and is the last version to support [[Software:Windows NT 4.0|Windows NT 4.0]] SP6a.

Visual Studio .NET 2002 shipped in four editions: Academic, Professional, Enterprise Developer, and Enterprise Architect. Microsoft introduced [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] (C-sharp), a new programming language, that targets .NET. It also introduced the successor to Visual J++ called Visual J#. Visual J# programs use Java's language-syntax. However, unlike Visual J++ programs, Visual J# programs can only target the .NET Framework, not the [[Java virtual machine|Java Virtual Machine]] that all other Java tools target.

Visual Basic changed drastically to fit the new framework, and the new version was called Visual Basic .NET. Microsoft also added extensions to C++, called [[Managed Extensions for C++]], so .NET programs could be created in C++.

Visual Studio .NET can produce applications targeting Windows (using the Windows Forms part of the .NET Framework), the Web (using ASP.NET and Web Services) and, with an add-in, portable devices (using the .NET Compact Framework).

The internal version number of Visual Studio .NET 2002 is version 7.0. Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Visual Studio .NET 2002 in March 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c41d8159-b42f-4d06-a797-e510494976ee&displaylang=en|title=Visual Studio .NET 2002 SP1|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=August 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807020827/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c41d8159-b42f-4d06-a797-e510494976ee&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio .NET 2003}} .NET 2003===
[[File:Visual Studio .NET 2003 EN.png|thumb|Default start page of Visual Studio .NET 2003 running on Windows XP]]
In April 2003, Microsoft introduced a minor upgrade to Visual Studio .NET called Visual Studio .NET 2003, codenamed ''Everett'' (for the city of the same name).{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} It includes an upgrade to the .NET Framework, version 1.1, and is the first release to support developing programs for mobile devices, using ASP.NET or the .NET Compact Framework. The Visual C++ compiler's standards-compliance improved, especially in the area of [[Partial template specialization|partial template specialization]]. Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 is a version of the same C++ compiler shipped with Visual Studio .NET 2003 without the IDE that Microsoft made freely available. {{as of|2010}} it is no longer available and the Express Editions have superseded it. Visual Studio .NET 2003 also supports Managed C++, which is the predecessor of C++/CLI. The internal version number of Visual Studio .NET 2003 is version 7.1 while the file format version is 8.0.<ref name="hacks"/> Visual Studio .NET 2003 drops support for Windows NT 4.0, and is the last version to support [[Software:Windows 2000|Windows 2000]] versions below SP3 and [[Software:Windows XP|Windows XP]] before SP2.

Visual Studio .NET 2003 shipped in five editions: Academic, Standard, Professional, Enterprise Developer, and Enterprise Architect. The Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect edition includes an implementation of [[Software:Microsoft Visio|Microsoft Visio]] 2002's modeling technologies, including tools for creating [[Unified Modeling Language]]-based visual representations of an application's architecture, and an [[Object-role modeling|object-role modeling]] (ORM) and logical database-modeling solution. "Enterprise Templates" were also introduced, to help larger development teams standardize coding styles and enforce policies around component usage and property settings.

Service Pack 1 was released September 13, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=69D2219F-CE82-46A5-8AEC-072BD4BB955E&displaylang=en|title=Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Service Pack 1|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=June 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620021331/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=69D2219F-CE82-46A5-8AEC-072BD4BB955E&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2005}} 2005===
[[File:Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 Team Suite DVD.jpg|thumb|Visual Studio 2005 Beta 2 Team Suite installation disc]]
Visual Studio 2005, codenamed ''Whidbey'' (a reference to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound region),{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}} was released online in October 2005 and to retail stores a few weeks later. Microsoft removed the ".NET" moniker from Visual Studio 2005 (as well as every other product with .NET in its name), but it still primarily targets the .NET Framework, which was upgraded to version 2.0. It is the last version to run on [[Software:Windows 2000|Windows 2000]] and also the last version able to target [[Software:Windows 98|Windows 98]], [[Software:Windows Me|Windows Me]] and [[Software:Windows Server 2003|Windows Server 2003]] RTM for C++ applications.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2008/6sehtctf(v%3dvs.90)|title=How to: Modify WINVER and _WIN32_WINNT|website=Microsoft Learn|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194123/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2008/6sehtctf(v%3Dvs.90)|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2008/bb531344(v%3dvs.90)|title=Breaking Changes|website=Microsoft Learn|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194124/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2008/bb531344(v%3Dvs.90)|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2005's internal version number is 8.0 while the file format version is 9.0.<ref name="hacks">{{cite web|url=http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet/excerpt/vshacks_chap1/index.html?page=4|title=Hacking Visual Studio|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=July 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715002103/http://ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet/excerpt/vshacks_chap1/index.html?page=4|url-status=live}}</ref> Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Visual Studio 2005 on December 14, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=BB4A75AB-E2D4-4C96-B39D-37BAF6B5B1DC&displaylang=en|title=Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=July 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722100656/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=bb4a75ab-e2d4-4c96-b39d-37baf6b5b1dc&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> An additional update for Service Pack 1 that offers Windows Vista compatibility was made available on June 3, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=90e2942d-3ad1-4873-a2ee-4acc0aace5b6&displaylang=en|title=Visual Studio Service Pack 1 Update|website=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523115539/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=90E2942D-3AD1-4873-A2EE-4ACC0AACE5B6&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2005 was upgraded to support all the new features introduced in .NET Framework 2.0, including generics and ASP.NET 2.0. The IntelliSense feature in Visual Studio was upgraded for generics and new project types were added to support ASP.NET web services. Visual Studio 2005 additionally introduces support for a new task-based build platform called Microsoft Build Engine ([[Software:MSBuild|MSBuild]]) which employs a new XML-based project file format.<ref>{{cite web|title=Building, Testing, and Deployment|department=What's New in Visual Studio 2005|website=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/88fx1xy0(VS.80).aspx#rtmbuildtestdeploy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826051347/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/88fx1xy0(VS.80).aspx#rtmbuildtestdeploy|archive-date=August 26, 2014}}</ref> Visual Studio 2005 also includes a local web server, separate from [[Software:Internet Information Services|IIS]], that can host ASP.NET applications during development and testing. It also supports all [[Software:Microsoft SQL Server|SQL Server]] 2005 databases. Database designers were upgraded to support the [[Software:ADO.NET|ADO.NET 2.0]], which is included with .NET Framework 2.0. C++ also got a similar upgrade with the addition of C++/CLI which is slated to replace the use of [[Managed Extensions for C++|Managed C++]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xey702bw(VS.80).aspx|title=New Language Features in Visual C++|work=Visual Studio 2005 Visual C++ Language Reference|publisher=MSDN|access-date=December 28, 2006|archive-date=October 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009213554/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xey702bw(VS.80).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Other new features of Visual Studio 2005 include the "Deployment Designer" which allows application designs to be validated before deployments, an improved environment for web publishing when combined with ASP.NET 2.0 and load testing to see application performance under various sorts of user loads. Starting with the 2005 edition, Visual Studio also added extensive 64-bit support. While the host development environment itself is only available as a 32-bit application, Visual C++ 2005 supports compiling for [[X86-64|x86-64]] (AMD64 and Intel 64) as well as [[Engineering:IA-64|IA-64]] ([[Engineering:Itanium|Itanium]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/deeptanshuv/64-bit-and-visual-studio-2005|title=64-bit and Visual Studio 2005|date=April 11, 2006|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=July 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719222606/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/deeptanshuv/64-bit-and-visual-studio-2005|url-status=live}}</ref> The Platform SDK included 64-bit compilers and 64-bit versions of the libraries.

Microsoft also announced [[Software:Visual Studio Tools for Applications|Visual Studio Tools for Applications]] as the successor to [[Visual Basic for Applications]] (VBA) and VSA (Visual Studio for Applications). VSTA 1.0 was released to manufacturing along with Office 2007. It is included with Office 2007 and is also part of the Visual Studio 2005 SDK. VSTA consists of a customized IDE, based on the Visual Studio 2005 IDE, and a runtime that can be embedded in applications to expose its features via the .NET object model. Office 2007 applications continue to integrate with VBA, except for InfoPath 2007 which integrates with VSTA. Version 2.0 of VSTA (based on Visual Studio 2008) was released in April 2008.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.office.developer.office.sdks&tid=965b9d31-6310-45cb-89d3-d9948a8a10c9&cat=&lang=&cr=&sloc=&p=1 VSTA vs VSTO in Software Development Kits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329144709/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us?dg=microsoft.public.office.developer.office.sdks&tid=965b9d31-6310-45cb-89d3-d9948a8a10c9&p=1|date=March 29, 2021}}. ''In the latest MSDN Flash email I just received, it announces the release of Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2.0 (VSTA).''</ref> It is significantly different from the first version, including features such as dynamic programming and support for [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|WPF]], [[Organization:Windows Communication Foundation|WCF]], WF, [[Language Integrated Query|LINQ]], and .NET 3.5 Framework.

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2008}} 2008===
Visual Studio 2008,<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Details Dynamic IT Strategy at Tech-Ed 2007|url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,115898.shtml|access-date=June 4, 2007|archive-date=October 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008101402/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,115898.shtml}}</ref> and Visual Studio Team System 2008<ref>{{cite web|last=Beehler|first=Jeff|title=Visual Studio Team System 2008 ships!|work=Jeff Beehler's Blog|publisher=MSDN Blogs|date=November 19, 2007|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jeffbe/archive/2007/11/19/visual-studio-team-system-2008-ships.aspx|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-date=September 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923121853/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jeffbe/archive/2007/11/19/visual-studio-team-system-2008-ships.aspx}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Windows Visual Studio Team System 2008|work=MSDN Search|publisher=MSDN Social|year=2010|url=http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Search/en-US?query=Microsoft%20Windows%20Visual%20Studio%20Team%20System%202008&resultsLang=en-GB&ac=8|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320133226/https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Search/en-US?query=Microsoft%20Windows%20Visual%20Studio%20Team%20System%202008&resultsLang=en-GB&ac=8}}</ref> codenamed ''Orcas'' (a reference to Orcas Island, also an island in Puget Sound region, like Whidbey for the previous 2005 release), were released to MSDN subscribers on November 19, 2007, alongside .NET Framework 3.5. The source code for the Visual Studio 2008 IDE is available under a shared source license to some of [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]'s partners and [[Independent software vendor|ISVs]].<ref name="cn-orcas">{{cite web|title=Microsoft to Give Partners More Access to Orcas IDE Code|url=http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2212505,00.asp|access-date=November 6, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Visual Studio 2008 on August 11, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Download Details: Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (exe)|website=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fbee1648-7106-44a7-9649-6d9f6d58056e&DisplayLang=en|access-date=August 11, 2008|archive-date=June 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605221833/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=FBEE1648-7106-44A7-9649-6D9F6D58056E&displaylang=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The internal version number of Visual Studio 2008 is version 9.0 while the file format version is 10.0. Visual Studio 2008 is the last version able to target [[Software:Windows XP#Service Pack 2|Windows XP SP2]], [[Software:Windows Server 2003#Service Pack 1|Windows Server 2003 SP1]] and [[Software:Windows Vista|Windows Vista]] RTM for C++ applications.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010/ws0swas0(v%3dvs.100)|title=Windows Platforms (CRT)|website=Microsoft Learn|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194117/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010/ws0swas0(v%3Dvs.100)|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2008 is focused on development of [[Software:Windows Vista|Windows Vista]], 2007 Office system, and Web applications. For visual design, a new [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|Windows Presentation Foundation]] visual designer and a new [[HTML]]/[[CSS]] editor influenced by [[Software:Microsoft Expression Web|Microsoft Expression Web]] are included. [[J Sharp|J#]] is not included. Visual Studio 2008 requires .NET 3.5 Framework and by default configures compiled assemblies to run on .NET Framework 3.5, but it also supports multi-targeting which lets the developers choose which version of the .NET Framework (out of 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, Silverlight CoreCLR or .NET Compact Framework) the assembly runs on. Visual Studio 2008 also includes new code analysis tools, including the new Code Metrics tool (only in Team Edition and Team Suite Edition).<ref>{{cite web|work=eWeek|access-date=October 6, 2007|title=Microsoft Pushes Secure, Quality Code|first=Darryl K.|last=Taft|url=http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2192515,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820012551/https://www.eweek.com/mobile/hp-touchpad-needs-6-to-8-weeks-for-additional-shipments?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594|url-status=live}}</ref> For Visual C++, Visual Studio adds a new version of Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC 9.0) that adds support for the visual styles and UI controls introduced with [[Software:Windows Vista|Windows Vista]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/controls/buttonctrl/advancedbuttons/article.php/c14407/|title=Whats New in MFC 9.0 (Orcas)|work=CodeGuru|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504182838/http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/controls/buttonctrl/advancedbuttons/article.php/c14407|url-status=live}}</ref> For native and managed code interoperability, Visual C++ introduces the STL/CLR, which is a port of the [[C++]] [[Standard Template Library]] (STL) containers and algorithms to managed code. STL/CLR defines STL-like containers, [[Iterator|iterator]]s and algorithms that work on C++/CLI managed objects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/nikolad/archive/2006/06/16/STLCLR-Intro.aspx|title=What Is STL/CLR?|first=Nikola|last=Dudla|work=Developing Windows Applications by Mykola Dudar|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=May 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512122116/http://blogs.msdn.com/nikolad/archive/2006/06/16/STLCLR-Intro.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/vcblog/archive/2006/08/02/686894.aspx|title=Libraries Work In Orcas|work=Visual C++ Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=February 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211091650/http://blogs.msdn.com/vcblog/archive/2006/08/02/686894.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2008 features include an XAML-based designer (codenamed ''Cider''), workflow designer, [[Language Integrated Query|LINQ]] to [[SQL]] designer (for defining the type mappings and object encapsulation for SQL Server data), [[XSLT]] debugger, [[JavaScript]] Intellisense support, JavaScript Debugging support, support for UAC manifests, a concurrent build system, among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.csharp-online.net/?p=108|title=Download Visual Studio 03/07 CTP|access-date=June 14, 2007|archive-date=June 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613111854/http://blog.csharp-online.net/?p=108|url-status=live}}</ref> It ships with an enhanced set of UI widgets, both for [[Software:Windows Forms|Windows Forms]] and [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|WPF]]. It also includes a multithreaded build engine ([[Software:MSBuild|MSBuild]]) to compile multiple source files (and build the executable file) in a project across multiple [[Thread (computing)|threads]] simultaneously. It also includes support for compiling [[Icon (computing)|icon]] resources in [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] format, introduced in Windows Vista. An updated [[XML Schema (W3C)|XML Schema]] designer was released separately some time after the release of Visual Studio 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=XSD Designer in Visual Studio|url=http://www.msdner.com/dev-archive/204/153-1021-2046403.shtm|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211134217/http://www.msdner.com/dev-archive/204/153-1021-2046403.shtm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio Debugger includes features targeting easier debugging of multi-threaded applications. In debugging mode, in the ''Threads'' window, which lists all the threads, hovering over a thread displays the [[Stack trace|stack trace]] of that thread in tooltips.<ref>{{cite web|first=S.|last=Somasegar|title=Debugging and Profiling Features in VS 2008|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2007/09/14/debugging-and-profiling-features-in-vs-2008.aspx|access-date=July 24, 2007|archive-date=October 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020044146/http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2007/09/14/debugging-and-profiling-features-in-vs-2008.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The threads can directly be named and flagged for easier identification from that window itself.<ref name="johnrobbin">{{cite web|url=http://www.wintellect.com/cs/blogs/jrobbins/archive/2007/08/01/neat-new-multithreaded-debugging-features-in-vs-2008.aspx|title=Neat New Multithreaded Debugging Features in VS 2008|first=John|last=Robbin|access-date=September 24, 2007|archive-date=September 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917063152/http://www.wintellect.com/cs/blogs/jrobbins/archive/2007/08/01/neat-new-multithreaded-debugging-features-in-vs-2008.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, in the code window, along with indicating the location of the currently executing instruction in the current thread, the currently executing instructions in other threads are also pointed out.<ref name="johnrobbin"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Scott|last=Hanselman|title=Multi-threaded Debugging in Visual Studio 2008|url=http://www.hanselman.com/blog/MultithreadedDebuggingInVisualStudio2008.aspx|access-date=September 24, 2007|archive-date=September 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920224522/http://www.hanselman.com/blog/MultithreadedDebuggingInVisualStudio2008.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The Visual Studio debugger supports integrated debugging of the .NET 3.5 Framework Base Class Library (BCL) which can dynamically download the BCL source code and [[Debug symbol|debug symbol]]s and allow stepping into the BCL source during debugging.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Scott Guthrie|first=Scott|last=Guthrie|title=Releasing the Source Code for the .NET Framework Libraries|date=October 3, 2007 |url=http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/10/03/releasing-the-source-code-for-the-net-framework-libraries.aspx|access-date=October 4, 2007|archive-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907233621/http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2007/10/03/releasing-the-source-code-for-the-net-framework-libraries.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2010}} a limited subset of the BCL source is available, with more library support planned for later.

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2010}} 2010===
On April 12, 2010, Microsoft released Visual Studio 2010, codenamed ''Dev10'',<ref name="cn-dev10">{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/volkerw/2009/05/18/visual-studio-2010-aka-dev10-beta-available-for-download/|title=Visual Studio 2010 aka. Dev10 Beta available for download – VolkerW's WebLog|website=blogs.msdn.microsoft.com|date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194121/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/volkerw/2009/05/18/visual-studio-2010-aka-dev10-beta-available-for-download/|url-status=live}}</ref> and .NET Framework 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eweek.com/development/microsoft-releases-visual-studio-2010-.net-framework-4|title=Microsoft Releases Visual Studio 2010, .NET Framework 4|website=eWEEK|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329144709/https://www.eweek.com/development/microsoft-releases-visual-studio-2010-.net-framework-4/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digit.in/features/general/microsoft-launches-visual-studio-2010-and-net-framework-4-download-4417.html|title=Microsoft launches Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 [download]|website=www.digit.in|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194121/https://www.digit.in/features/general/microsoft-launches-visual-studio-2010-and-net-framework-4-download-4417.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the last version to support [[Software:Windows XP#Service Pack 3|Windows XP SP3]], [[Software:Windows Server 2003#Service Pack 2|Windows Server 2003 SP2]], [[Software:Windows Vista#Service Pack 1|Windows Vista SP1]], [[Software:Windows Server 2008|Windows Server 2008]] below SP2, [[Software:Windows 7|Windows 7]] before SP1 and [[Software:Windows Server 2008 R2|Windows Server 2008 R2]] before SP1.

The Visual Studio 2010 [[Integrated development environment|IDE]] was redesigned which, according to [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]], clears the UI organization and "reduces clutter and complexity."<ref name="firstlook"/> The new IDE better supports multiple document windows and floating tool windows,<ref name="firstlook"/> while offering better multi-monitor support. The IDE shell has been rewritten using the [[Organization:Windows Presentation Foundation|Windows Presentation Foundation]] (WPF), whereas the internals have been redesigned using Managed Extensibility Framework (MEF) that offers more extensibility points than previous versions of the IDE that enabled add-ins to modify the behavior of the IDE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msmvps.com/blogs/carlosq/archive/2008/10/26/visual-studio-2010-extensibility-moving-beyond-add-ins-and-packages.aspx|title=Visual Studio 2010 Extensibility moving beyond add-ins and packages|first=Carlos|last=Quintero|access-date=April 18, 2009|archive-date=June 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623084609/http://msmvps.com/blogs/carlosq/archive/2008/10/26/visual-studio-2010-extensibility-moving-beyond-add-ins-and-packages.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

The new multi-paradigm [[ML (programming language)|ML]]-variant F# forms part of Visual Studio 2010.<ref name="F#">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/dsyme/archive/2008/12/10/fsharp-to-ship-as-part-of-visual-studio-2010.aspx|title=F# to ship as part of Visual Studio 2010|access-date=December 10, 2008|archive-date=December 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212073858/http://blogs.msdn.com/dsyme/archive/2008/12/10/fsharp-to-ship-as-part-of-visual-studio-2010.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2010 comes with .NET Framework 4 and supports developing applications targeting [[Software:Windows 7|Windows 7]].<ref name="firstlook">{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010/default.mspx|title=Visual Studio 2010 Team System First Look|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=April 18, 2009|archive-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417220933/http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010/default.mspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It supports [[Software:IBM Db2|IBM Db2]] and [[Software:Oracle Database|Oracle]] databases, in addition to [[Software:Microsoft SQL Server|Microsoft SQL Server]].<ref name="firstlook"/> It has integrated support for developing [[Software:Microsoft Silverlight|Microsoft Silverlight]] applications, including an interactive designer.<ref name="firstlook"/> Visual Studio 2010 offers several tools to make parallel programming simpler: in addition to the [[Parallel Extensions]] for the .NET Framework and the Parallel Patterns Library for native code, Visual Studio 2010 includes tools for debugging parallel applications. The new tools allow the visualization of parallel [[Parallel Extensions#TPL|Tasks]] and their runtime [[Call stack|stacks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.danielmoth.com/Blog/2008/11/debugging-parallel-applications-with.html|title=Debugging Parallel applications with VS2010|first=Daniel|last=Moth|access-date=April 18, 2008|archive-date=January 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108011342/http://www.danielmoth.com/Blog/2008/11/debugging-parallel-applications-with.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tools for profiling parallel applications can be used for visualization of thread wait-times and thread migrations across processor cores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc817396.aspx|title=More support for parallelism in the next version of Visual Studio|access-date=April 23, 2009|publisher=MSDN|archive-date=August 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806195311/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc817396.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Intel and Microsoft have jointly pledged support for a new Concurrency Runtime in Visual Studio 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdtimes.com/INTEL_MICROSOFT_CONVERGE_ON_PARALLEL_COMPUTING/About_PARALLELPROGRAMMING_and_WINDOWS_and_INTEL_and_MICROSOFT/32731|title=SD Times: Intel, Microsoft converge on parallel computing|first=David|last=Worthington|access-date=August 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604093849/http://sdtimes.com/INTEL_MICROSOFT_CONVERGE_ON_PARALLEL_COMPUTING/About_PARALLELPROGRAMMING_and_WINDOWS_and_INTEL_and_MICROSOFT/32731|archive-date=June 4, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
and Intel has launched parallelism support in Parallel Studio as an add-on for Visual Studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdtimes.com/link/33497|title=Intel addresses development life cycle with Parallel Studio|first=David|last=Worthington|access-date=May 26, 2009|archive-date=May 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528030044/http://www.sdtimes.com/link/33497|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Visual Studio 2010 code editor now highlights references; whenever a symbol is selected, all other usages of the symbol are highlighted.<ref name="dev10soma">{{cite web|first=S.|last=Somasegar|access-date=April 18, 2008|title=Code Focused Development in VS 2010|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2008/12/19/code-focused-development-in-vs-2010.aspx|archive-date=January 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107120533/http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2008/12/19/code-focused-development-in-vs-2010.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It also offers a ''Quick Search'' feature to incrementally search across all symbols in C++, C# and VB.NET projects. Quick Search supports substring matches and camelCase searches.<ref name="dev10soma"/> The ''Call Hierarchy'' feature allows the developer to see all the methods that are called from a current method as well as the methods that call the current one.<ref name="dev10soma"/> IntelliSense in Visual Studio supports a ''consume-first'' mode which developers can opt into. In this mode, IntelliSense does not auto-complete identifiers; this allows the developer to use undefined identifiers (like variable or method names) and define those later. Visual Studio 2010 can also help in this by automatically defining them, if it can infer their types from usage.<ref name="dev10soma"/> Current versions of Visual Studio have a known bug which makes IntelliSense unusable for projects using pure C (not C++).<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 28, 2011|title=Bug: Intellisense believes itself in C++ while working on a C file.|url=http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vcprerelease/thread/54995196-ab08-416d-9ddf-475bfb161779|archive-date=October 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005064433/http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vcprerelease/thread/54995196-ab08-416d-9ddf-475bfb161779|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2010 features a new Help System replacing the MSDN Library viewer. The Help System is no longer based on Microsoft Help 2 and does not use Microsoft Document Explorer. Dynamic help containing links to help items based on what the developer was doing at the time was removed in the final release,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://leedumond.com/blog/dynamic-help-removed-from-visual-studio-2010/|title=Dynamic Help Removed From Visual Studio 2010|access-date=April 26, 2010|archive-date=January 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124235329/http://leedumond.com/blog/dynamic-help-removed-from-visual-studio-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> but can be added back using a download from Microsoft.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 13, 2010|title=Help Viewer Power Tool|url=http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/60a86afe-159b-4940-a22f-4fef055cbd63|archive-date=August 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805004332/http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/60a86afe-159b-4940-a22f-4fef055cbd63|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2010 no longer supports development for Windows Mobile prior to [[Software:Windows Phone 7|Windows Phone 7]]. Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 was released in March 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=23691|title=Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 (Installer)|website=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=December 24, 2011|archive-date=December 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220194003/http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=23691|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Ultimate 2010====
Visual Studio Ultimate 2010 replaces Visual Studio 2008 Team Suite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dannawi/archive/2010/01/07/visual-studio-2010-transition-benefits-the-ultimate-offer-what-you-need-to-know.aspx|title=Visual Studio 2010 transition benefits: "the ultimate offer" – What you need to know|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] MSDN Blogs|access-date=September 14, 2014|archive-date=September 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914113328/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dannawi/archive/2010/01/07/visual-studio-2010-transition-benefits-the-ultimate-offer-what-you-need-to-know.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It includes new modeling tools,<ref name="Gasp! Microsoft unveils its!">{{cite web|url=https://news.microsoft.com/2008/09/29/microsoft-unveils-next-version-of-visual-studio-and-net-framework/|title=Microsoft Unveils Next Version of Visual Studio and .NET Framework|work=News Center|date=September 29, 2008|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|location=Redmond, Washington|access-date=August 14, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815083038/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/sep08/09-29VS10PR.mspx|archive-date=August 15, 2009}}</ref> such as the ''Architecture Explorer'', which graphically displays projects and classes and the relationships between them.<ref name="cn-rosario">{{cite web | url = http://visualstudiomagazine.com/columns/article.aspx?editorialsid=2583 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421233028/http://visualstudiomagazine.com/columns/article.aspx?editorialsid=2583 | archive-date=21 April 2008 | title = Doing Architecture with Team System Rosario | accessdate = 18 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="aj">{{cite web|url=https://ajdotnet.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/visual-studio-2010-architecture-edition/|title=Visual Studio 2010 Architecture Edition|date=March 29, 2009|access-date=April 18, 2009|archive-date=April 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403092145/http://ajdotnet.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/visual-studio-2010-architecture-edition/|url-status=live}}</ref>
It supports [[Unified Modeling Language|UML]] activity diagram, component diagram, (logical) class diagram, sequence diagram, and use case diagram.<ref name="aj"/> Visual Studio Ultimate 2010 also includes ''Test Impact Analysis'' which provides hints on which test cases are impacted by modifications to the source code, without actually running the test cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/VisualStudio/Historical-Debugger-and-Test-Impact-Analysis-in-Visual-Studio-Team-System-2010/|title=Historical Debugger and Test Impact Analysis in Visual Studio Team System 2010|publisher=[[Channel 9 (Microsoft)|Channel 9]]|access-date=April 18, 2009|archive-date=October 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003173108/http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/VisualStudio/Historical-Debugger-and-Test-Impact-Analysis-in-Visual-Studio-Team-System-2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> This speeds up testing by avoiding running unnecessary test cases.

Visual Studio Ultimate 2010 also includes a historical debugger for managed code called ''IntelliTrace''. Unlike a traditional debugger that records only the currently active stack, IntelliTrace records all events, such as prior function calls, method parameters, events and exceptions. This allows the code execution to be rewound in case a breakpoint was not set where the error occurred.<ref>{{cite web|title=What's new in Visual Studio Team System 2010: Episode 2|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/habibh/archive/2008/10/01/what-s-new-in-visual-studio-team-system-2010-issue-2.aspx|first=Habib|last=Heydarian|access-date=April 18, 2008|archive-date=October 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003075827/http://blogs.msdn.com/habibh/archive/2008/10/01/what-s-new-in-visual-studio-team-system-2010-issue-2.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Debugging with IntelliTrace causes the application to run more slowly than debugging without it, and uses more memory as additional data needs to be recorded. Microsoft allows configuration of how much data should be recorded, in effect, allowing developers to balance the speed of execution and resource usage. The ''Lab Management'' component of Visual Studio Ultimate 2010 uses virtualization to create a similar execution environment for testers and developers. The [[Virtual machine|virtual machine]]s are tagged with checkpoints which can later be investigated for issues, as well as to reproduce the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/maordavid/archive/2008/12/22/visual-studio-2010-lab-management.aspx|title=Visual Studio 2010 Lab Management|access-date=April 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510073216/http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/maordavid/archive/2008/12/22/visual-studio-2010-lab-management.aspx|archive-date=May 10, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Visual Studio Ultimate 2010 also includes the capability to record test runs that capture the specific state of the operating environment as well as the precise steps used to run the test. These steps can then be played back to reproduce issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio 2010 to come with 'black box'|first=Ina|last=Fried|access-date=April 18, 2009|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10052412-56.html|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=CNET|archive-date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106075529/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10052412-56.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2012}} 2012===
[[File:Visual Studio 2012 logo and wordmark.svg|thumb|right|Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 logo]]

The final build of Visual Studio 2012 was announced on August 1, 2012, and the official launch event was held on September 12, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2012/08/01/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-complete.aspx|title=Visual Studio 2012 and .NET 4.5 Complete! - Somasegar's blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs|publisher=Blogs.msdn.com|date=August 1, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606060429/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2012/08/01/visual-studio-2012-and-net-4-5-complete.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike prior versions, Visual Studio 2012 cannot record and play macros and the macro editor has been removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stackoverflow.com/q/12062515|title=Can I record/play Macros in Visual Studio 2012/2013?|publisher=stackoverflow.com|date=December 31, 2013|access-date=December 31, 2013|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329144746/https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12062515/can-i-record-play-macros-in-visual-studio-2012-2013-2015-2017-2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

New features include support for WinRT and C++/CX (Component Extensions) and [[Software:C++ AMP|C++ AMP]] (GPGPU programming) Semantic Colorization.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh409293%28v=vs.110%29.aspx|title=What's New for Visual C++ in Visual Studio 2012|publisher=Msdn.microsoft.com|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=September 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915102244/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh409293(v=vs.110).aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 16, 2011, a complete 'Developer Preview' of Visual Studio 11 was published on Microsoft's website. Visual Studio 11 Developer Preview requires Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, or later operating systems.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?DisplayLang=en&id=27538
|title=Visual Studio® 11 Developer Preview Download
|work=Microsoft Download Center
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=September 16, 2011
|access-date=October 14, 2011
|archive-date=October 2, 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002102705/http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=27538
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Versions of [[Organization:Microsoft Foundation Class Library|Microsoft Foundation Class Library]] (MFC) and C runtime (CRT) included with this release cannot produce software that is compatible with Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 except by using native multi-targeting and foregoing the newest libraries, compilers, and headers.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/690617
|title=Bug: apps created with CRT and MFC vNext (11) cannot be used on Windows XP SP3
|work=Microsoft Connect
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=September 24, 2011
|access-date=October 14, 2011
|quote=This behavior is by design in MFC and CRT for Visual Studio vNext. The minimum supported operating systems are Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista.
|archive-date=December 16, 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216195941/https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/690617
|url-status=live
}}</ref> However, on June 15, 2012, a blog post on the VC++ Team blog announced that based on customer feedback, Microsoft would re-introduce native support for Windows XP targets (though not for XP as a development platform) in a version of Visual C++ to be released later in the fall of 2012.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2012/06/15/10320645.aspx
|title=Targeting Windows XP with C++ in Visual Studio 2012
|work=Visual C++ Team blog
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=June 15, 2012
|access-date=June 26, 2012
|archive-date=June 20, 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620200500/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2012/06/15/10320645.aspx
|url-status=live
}}</ref> "Visual Studio 2012 Update 1" (Visual Studio 2012.1) was released in November 2012. This update added support for Windows XP targets and also added other new tools and features (e.g. improved diagnostics and testing support for Windows Store apps).<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2012/11/26/visual-studio-2012-update-1-now-available.aspx
|title=Visual Studio 2012 Update 1 is now available!
|work=Somasegar's blog
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=November 26, 2012
|access-date=December 29, 2012
|archive-date=December 27, 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227181418/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2012/11/26/visual-studio-2012-update-1-now-available.aspx
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

On August 24, 2011, a blog post by Sumit Kumar, a Program Manager on the Visual C++ team, listed some of the features of the upcoming version of the Visual Studio C++ IDE:<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post">{{cite news
|last=Kumar
|first=Sumit
|title=First Look at the New C++ IDE Productivity Features in the Next Version of Visual Studio
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2011/08/24/10200097.aspx
|work=VC++ Team Blog
|agency=MSDN Blogs
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=August 24, 2011
|access-date=October 14, 2011
|archive-date=October 2, 2011
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002170348/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2011/08/24/10200097.aspx
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

*'''Semantic colorization''': Improved syntax coloring, various user-defined or default colors for C++ syntax such as macros, enumerations, typenames and functions.<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>
*'''Reference highlighting''': Selection of a symbol highlights all of the references to that symbol within scope.<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>
*'''New Solution Explorer''': The new Solution Explorer allows for visualization of class and file hierarchies within a solution/project. It can search for calls to functions and uses of classes.<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>
*'''Automatic display of IntelliSense list''': IntelliSense is automatically displayed whilst typing code, as opposed to previous versions where it had to be explicitly invoked through use of certain operators (i.e. the scope operator (::)) or shortcut keys (''Ctrl-Space'' or ''Ctrl-J'').<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>
*'''Member list filtering''': IntelliSense uses [[Fuzzy logic|fuzzy logic]] to determine which functions/variables/types to display in the list.<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>
*'''Code snippets''': Code snippets are included in IntelliSense to automatically generate relevant code based on the user's parameters, custom code snippets can be created.<ref name="VC++ Team Blog Post"/>

The source code of Visual Studio 2012 consists of approximately 50 million lines of code.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2012/06/20/the-visual-studio-2012-feedback-tool-a-better-way-to-submit-bugs.aspx|title=The Visual Studio 2012 Feedback Tool: A better way to submit bugs - The Visual Studio Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs|publisher=Blogs.msdn.com|date=January 28, 2013|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622082938/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2012/06/20/the-visual-studio-2012-feedback-tool-a-better-way-to-submit-bugs.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Interface backlash====
During Visual Studio 11 beta, Microsoft eliminated the use of color within tools except in cases where color is used for notification or status change purposes. However, the use of color was returned after feedback demanding more contrast, differentiation, clarity and "energy" in the user interface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visualstudiomagazine.com/articles/2012/05/08/color-returns-to-visual-studio-11-user-interface.aspx|title=Color Returns to Visual Studio 11 User Interface -|website=Visual Studio Magazine|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194119/https://visualstudiomagazine.com/articles/2012/05/08/color-returns-to-visual-studio-11-user-interface.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-11-user-interface-updates-coming-in-rc/|title=Visual Studio 11 User Interface Updates Coming in RC|date=May 8, 2012|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722211201/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-11-user-interface-updates-coming-in-rc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Visual Studio 2012 release candidate (RC), a major change to the interface is the use of all-caps menu bar, as part of the campaign to keep Visual Studio consistent with the direction of other Microsoft user interfaces, and to provide added structure to the top menu bar area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/a-design-with-all-caps/|title=A DESIGN WITH ALL-CAPS|date=June 5, 2012|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194122/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/a-design-with-all-caps/|url-status=live}}</ref> The redesign was criticized for being hard to read, and going against the trends started by developers to use CamelCase to make words stand out better.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.i-programmer.info/news/177-windows-8/4324-microsoft-ignores-usability-and-users-vs-2012-keeps-all-cap-menus.html|title=Microsoft Ignores Usability and Users - VS 2012 Keeps ALL-CAPS Menus|access-date=July 13, 2012|archive-date=June 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610002853/http://www.i-programmer.info/news/177-windows-8/4324-microsoft-ignores-usability-and-users-vs-2012-keeps-all-cap-menus.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some speculated that the root cause of the redesign was to incorporate the simplistic look and feel of Metro programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arktronic.com/weblog/2012-05-09/visual-studio-11s-redesign-awkwardness/|title=On Visual Studio 11's redesign awkwardness - Arktronic.com|website=arktronic.com|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194127/https://arktronic.com/weblog/2012-05-09/visual-studio-11s-redesign-awkwardness/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, there exists a [[Software:Windows Registry|Windows Registry]] option to allow users to disable the all-caps interface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.richard-banks.org/2012/06/how-to-prevent-visual-studio-2012-all.html|title=How To Prevent Visual Studio 2012 ALL CAPS Menus!|website=www.richard-banks.org|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320120804/https://www.richard-banks.org/2012/06/how-to-prevent-visual-studio-2012-all.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2013}} 2013===
The preview for Visual Studio 2013 was announced at the Build 2013 conference and made available on June 26, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2013|title=Visual Studio 2013 Preview Available Now!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2013-preview-available-now/|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> The Visual Studio 2013 RC (Release Candidate) was made available to developers on MSDN on September 9, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2013|title=Visual Studio 2013 RC available now!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2013-rc-available-now/|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

The final release of Visual Studio 2013 became available for download on October 17, 2013, along with .NET 4.5.1.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 17, 2013|title=Visual Studio 2013 released to web!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2013-released-to-web/|access-date=July 3, 2021|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> Visual Studio 2013 officially launched on November 13, 2013, at a virtual launch event keynoted by S. Somasegar and hosted on {{url|http://events.visualstudio.com}}.<ref>{{cite web|first=S.|last=Somasegar|title=Visual Studio 2013 Launch: Announcing Visual Studio Online|publisher=MSDN Blogs|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2013/11/13/visual-studio-2013-launch-announcing-visual-studio-online.aspx|access-date=January 23, 2014|archive-date=January 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126035828/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2013/11/13/visual-studio-2013-launch-announcing-visual-studio-online.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> "Visual Studio 2013 Update 1" (Visual Studio 2013.1) was released on January 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/2014-jan-20-vs
|title=Visual Studio 2013 Update 1
|work=Visual Studio site
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=January 20, 2014
|access-date=January 23, 2014
|archive-date=April 1, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401183621/https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/2014-jan-20-vs
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
Visual Studio 2013.1 is a targeted update that addresses some key areas of customer feedback.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2014/01/20/visual-studio-2013-update-1.aspx
|title=Visual Studio 2013 Update 1
|work=Somasegar's blog
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=January 20, 2014
|access-date=January 23, 2014
|archive-date=January 22, 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122220042/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/somasegar/archive/2014/01/20/visual-studio-2013-update-1.aspx
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
"Visual Studio 2013 Update 2" (Visual Studio 2013.2) was released on May 12, 2014.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/2014-may-12-vs
|title=Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 RTM
|work=Visual Studio site
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=May 12, 2014
|access-date=July 12, 2014
|archive-date=March 29, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329191344/https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/2014-may-12-vs
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
Visual Studio 2013 Update 3 was released on August 4, 2014. With this update, Visual Studio provides an option to disable the all-caps menus, which was introduced in VS2012.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2933779
|title=Description of Visual Studio 2013 Update 3
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=August 15, 2014
|access-date=August 18, 2014
|archive-date=February 13, 2015
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213185438/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2933779
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
"Visual Studio 2013 Update 4" (Visual Studio 2013.4) was released on November 12, 2014.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs2013-update4-rtm-vs
|title=Visual Studio 2013 Update 4 RTM
|work=Visual Studio site
|publisher=Microsoft Corporation
|date=November 12, 2014
|access-date=November 16, 2014
|archive-date=December 16, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216134220/https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs2013-update4-rtm-vs
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
"Visual Studio 2013 Update 5" (Visual Studio 2013.5) was released on July 20, 2015.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes|title=Visual Studio 2017 15.9 Release Notes|website=Microsoft Learn|access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210081839/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2015}} 2015===
Initially referred to as Visual Studio "14", the first Community Technology Preview (CTP) was released on June 3, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/06/03/visual-studio-14-ctp-now-available.aspx|title=Visual Studio "14" CTP now available|work=The Visual Studio Blog|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=August 18, 2014|last=Montgomery|first=John|archive-date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820072709/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/06/03/visual-studio-14-ctp-now-available.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Release Candidate was released on April 29, 2015; Visual Studio 2015 was officially announced as the final name on November 12, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/11/12/visual-studio-2015-preview-visual-studio-community-2013-visual-studio-2013-update-4-and-more.aspx|title=Visual Studio 2015 Preview, Visual Studio Community 2013, Visual Studio 2013 Update 4, and More|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=January 15, 2015|website=Visual Studio Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|last=Montgomery|first=John|archive-date=January 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107004146/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/11/12/visual-studio-2015-preview-visual-studio-community-2013-visual-studio-2013-update-4-and-more.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2015 RTM was released on July 20, 2015.<ref name="auto1"/> Visual Studio 2015 Update 1 was released on November 30, 2015.<ref name="auto1"/> Visual Studio 2015 Update 2 was released on March 30, 2016.<ref name="auto1"/> Visual Studio 2015 Update 3 was released on June 27, 2016.<ref name="auto1"/> Visual Studio 2015 is the last version to support [[Software:Windows Vista#Service Pack 2|Windows Vista SP2]], [[Software:Windows Server 2008#Service Pack 2|Windows Server 2008 SP2]] and [[Software:Windows 8|Windows 8]].

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2017}} 2017===
[[File:Visual Studio 2017 logo and wordmark.svg|alt=Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 Logo|thumb|Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 logo]]
Initially referred to as Visual Studio "15", it was released on March 7, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Liuson|first1=Julia|title=Join Us: Visual Studio 2017 Launch Event and 20th Anniversary|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2017/02/09/visual-studio-2017-launch-event-and-20th-anniversary/|website=The Visual Studio Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210004544/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2017/02/09/visual-studio-2017-launch-event-and-20th-anniversary/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first Preview was released on March 30, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Montgomery|first1=John|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview Now Available|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/03/30/visual-studio-15-preview/|website=The Visual Studio Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2016|archive-date=August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803194953/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/03/30/visual-studio-15-preview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Visual Studio "15" Preview 2 was released May 10, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Montgomery|first1=John|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 2|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/05/10/visual-studio-15-preview-2/|website=The Visual Studio Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819173904/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/05/10/visual-studio-15-preview-2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs15-relnotes|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 2|website=visualstudio.com|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=May 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613114040/https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs15-relnotes|archive-date=June 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Visual Studio "15" Preview 3 was released on July 7, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Montgomery|first1=John|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 3|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/07/07/visual-studio-15-preview-3/|website=The Visual Studio Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=July 20, 2016|archive-date=September 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911164614/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/07/07/visual-studio-15-preview-3/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs15-relnotes|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 3|website=visualstudio.com|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=July 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715151136/https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/releasenotes/vs15-relnotes|archive-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Visual Studio "15" Preview 4 was released on August 22, 2016.<ref name="mspoweruser">{{Cite web|url=http://mspoweruser.com/visual-studio-15-preview-4-now-available-for-download-with-new-installation-experience-and-more/|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 4 Now Available For Download With New Installation Experience And More - MSPoweruser|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125074619/http://mspoweruser.com/visual-studio-15-preview-4-now-available-for-download-with-new-installation-experience-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/08/22/visual-studio-15-preview-4/|title=Visual Studio "15" Preview 4|website=blogs.msdn.microsoft.com|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823175442/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/08/22/visual-studio-15-preview-4/|url-status=live}}</ref> Visual Studio "15" Preview 5 was released on October 5, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/10/05/announcing-visual-studio-15-preview-5/|title=Announcing Visual Studio "15" Preview 5|website=blogs.msdn.microsoft.com|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006152444/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/10/05/announcing-visual-studio-15-preview-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 14, 2016, for a brief period of time, Microsoft released a blog post revealing Visual Studio 2017 product name version alongside upcoming features.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/magazine/mt790181|title=Visual Studio 2017 - A Quick Look at Productivity Enhancements in Visual Studio 2017 RC|date=November 14, 2016|access-date=November 14, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114095838/https://msdn.microsoft.com/magazine/mt790181|archive-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>

On November 16, 2016, "Visual Studio 2017" was announced as the final name,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/11/16/visual-studio-2017-rc/|title=Visual Studio 2017 Release Candidate|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328153621/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2016/11/16/visual-studio-2017-rc/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Visual Studio 2017 RC was released.<ref name="rel2017">{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2017/03/07/announcing-visual-studio-2017-general-availability-and-more/|title=Announcing Visual Studio 2017 General Availability|date=March 7, 2017|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320143844/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2017/03/07/announcing-visual-studio-2017-general-availability-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 7, 2017, Visual Studio 2017 was released for general availability.<ref name="rel2017"/>

On March 14, 2017, first fix was released for Visual Studio 2017 due to failures during installation or opening solutions in the first release.<ref name="rel2017"/>

On April 5, 2017, Visual Studio 2017 15.1 was released and added support for targeting the .NET Framework 4.7.

On May 10, 2017, Visual Studio 2017 15.2 was released and added a new workload, "Data Science and Analytical Applications Workload". An update to fix the dark color theme was released on May 12, 2017.

On August 14, 2017, Visual Studio 2017 15.3 was released and added support for targeting .NET Core 2.0. An update (15.3.1) was released four days later to address a [https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/devops/2017/08/15/git-vulnerability-with-submodules/ Git vulnerability with submodules] ([https://public-inbox.org/git/xmqqh8xf482j.fsf@gitster.mtv.corp.google.com/T/#u CVE 2017-1000117]).

On October 10, 2017, Visual Studio 15.4 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-4-released/|title=Visual Studio 2017 Version 15.4 Released|date=October 10, 2017|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722202641/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-4-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 4, 2017, Visual Studio 15.5 was released. This update contained major performance improvements, new features, as well as bug fixes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-5-visual-studio-for-mac-released/|title=Visual Studio 2017 Version 15.5, Visual Studio for Mac Released|date=December 4, 2017|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722211200/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-5-visual-studio-for-mac-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 6, 2018, Visual Studio 15.6 was released. It includes updates to unit testing and performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-6-visual-studio-for-mac-version-7-4-released/|title=Visual Studio 2017 version 15.6, Visual Studio for Mac version 7.4 Released|date=March 6, 2018|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722202637/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2017-version-15-6-visual-studio-for-mac-version-7-4-released/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 7, 2018, Visual Studio 15.7 was released. It included updates across the board including, the installer, editor, debugger among others. Almost all point releases, the latest of which is [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes#15.7.6 15.7.6] released August 2, 2018, include security updates. With the release of Visual Studio 2017 15.7, Visual C++ now conforms to the [[C++17]] standard.<ref name="blogs.msdn.microsoft.com"/>

On September 20, 2018, Visual Studio 15.8.5 was released. Tools for Xamarin now supports Xcode 10.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes-v15.8|title=Visual Studio 2017 15.8 Release Notes|website=Microsoft Learn|access-date=March 21, 2019|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722194119/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releasenotes/vs2017-relnotes-v15.8|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio 2017 offers new features like support for EditorConfig (a coding style enforcement framework), NGen support, .NET Core and [[Software:Docker|Docker]] toolset (Preview), and Xamarin 4.3 (Preview).<ref name="rel2017"/> It also has a [[Extensible Application Markup Language|XAML]] Editor, improved IntelliSense, live unit testing, debugging enhancement and better IDE experience and productivity. Additionally, it is the last version of Visual Studio to support maintaining Windows 10 Mobile projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/compatibility#-other-platforms-and-technologies|title=Visual Studio 2019 Compatibility document|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=February 26, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603060110/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/compatibility#-other-platforms-and-technologies|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Visual Studio 2019}} 2019===
[[File:Visual Studio Icon 2019.svg|alt=Visual Studio 2019 Icon|thumb|84x84px|Visual Studio 2019 icon]]
On June 6, 2018, Microsoft announced Visual Studio 2019 (version 16).<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/whats-next-for-visual-studio/|title=What's Next for Visual Studio|date=June 6, 2018|website=The Visual Studio Blog|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330022327/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/whats-next-for-visual-studio/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 4, 2018, Visual Studio 2019 Preview 1 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2018/12/04/making-every-developer-more-productive-with-visual-studio-2019/|title=Making every developer more productive with Visual Studio 2019|last=Blog|first=Visual Studio|website=blogs.msdn.microsoft.com|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2018|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207161619/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2018/12/04/making-every-developer-more-productive-with-visual-studio-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 24, 2019, Visual Studio 2019 Preview 2 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2019/01/24/visual-studio-2019-preview-2-is-now-available/|title=Visual Studio 2019 Preview 2 is now available|last=Blog|first=Visual Studio|website=blogs.msdn.microsoft.com|date=January 24, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211041000/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/2019/01/24/visual-studio-2019-preview-2-is-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 13, 2019, Visual Studio 2019 Preview 3 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/release-notes-preview#VS2019_Preview3|title=Visual Studio 2019 Preview Release Notes|website=Microsoft Learn|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202085538/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/releases/2019/release-notes-preview#VS2019_Preview3|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 27, 2019, Visual Studio 2019 RC was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2019-release-candidate-rc-now-available/|title=Visual Studio 2019 Release Candidate (RC) now available|website=devblogs.microsoft.com|date=February 27, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114074536/https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2019-release-candidate-rc-now-available/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is generally available (GA) since April 2, 2019 and available for download.<ref name="Code faster"/>
===2022===
On April 19, 2021, Microsoft announced Visual Studio 2022 (version 17).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Salter|first=Jim|date=2021-04-20|title=Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 will (finally) enter the 64-bit world|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/04/microsoft-visual-studio-2022-will-finally-enter-the-64-bit-world/|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=Visual Studio 2022|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/?p=232313|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> It is the first version to run as a 64-bit process allowing Visual Studio main process to access more than 4&nbsp;GB of memory, preventing out-of-memory exceptions which could occur with large projects.

On June 17, 2021, Visual Studio 2022 Preview 1 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-preview-1-now-available/|title=Visual Studio 2022 Preview 1 now available!|last=Blog|first=Visual Studio|website=devblogs.microsoft.com|date=June 17, 2021|access-date=June 18, 2021}}</ref>

On July 14, 2021, Visual Studio 2022 Preview 2 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-preview-2-is-out/|title=Visual Studio 2022 Preview 2 is out!|last=Blog|first=Visual Studio|website=devblogs.microsoft.com|date=July 14, 2021|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>

On August 10, 2021, Visual Studio 2022 Preview 3 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-preview-3-now-available/|title=Visual Studio 2022 Preview 3 now available!|last=Blog|first=Visual Studio|website=devblogs.microsoft.com|date=August 10, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref>

On September 14, 2021, Visual Studio 2022 Preview 4 was released.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-14|title=Visual Studio 2022 Preview 4 is now available!|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-preview-4-is-now-available/|access-date=2021-09-17|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

On October 12, 2021, Visual Studio 2022 RC and Preview 5 was released while setting November 8, 2021 for its general availability.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-12|title=Join us November 8 for the Launch of Visual Studio 2022|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/join-us-november-8th-for-the-launch-of-visual-studio-2022/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

It is generally available (GA) since November 8, 2021 and available for download.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=Visual Studio 2022 now available|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/visualstudio/visual-studio-2022-now-available/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Visual Studio Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Related products==
===Azure DevOps Services===
{{Anchor|Team Foundation Service|Visual Studio Online|Visual Studio Team Services}}
On November 13, 2013, Microsoft announced the release of a [[Software as a service|software as a service]] offering of Visual Studio on [[Software:Microsoft Azure|Microsoft Azure]] platform; at the time, Microsoft called it Visual Studio Online. Previously announced as Team Foundation Services, it expanded over the on-premises Team Foundation Server (TFS; now known as [[Software:Azure DevOps Server|Azure DevOps Server]]) by making it available on the Internet and implementing a [[Rolling release|rolling release]] model.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blankenship|first1=Ed|title=Introducing Visual Studio Online|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dn519923.aspx|website=MSDN Magazine|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=January 2014|access-date=November 29, 2014|archive-date=December 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231090226/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dn519923.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Features Timeline|url=http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/release-archive-vso|website=VisualStudio.com|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=November 29, 2014|archive-date=October 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007151810/http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/news/release-archive-vso|url-status=live}}</ref> Customers could use Azure portal to subscribe to Visual Studio Online. Subscribers receive a hosted [[Software:Git|Git]]-compatible [[Version control|version control]] system, a load-testing service, a [[Telemetry|telemetry]] service and an in-browser code editor codenamed "Monaco".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2609774/cloud-computing/microsoft-reinvents-visual-studio-as-an-azure-cloud-service.html|title=Microsoft reinvents Visual Studio as an Azure cloud service|date=November 14, 2013|website=InfoWorld|publisher=IDG|last=Yegulalp|first=Serdar|access-date=November 8, 2014|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329144709/https://www.infoworld.com/article/2609774/microsoft-reinvents-visual-studio-as-an-azure-cloud-service.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the ''{{not typo|Connect(); 2015}}'' developer event on November 18, 2015, Microsoft announced that the service was rebranded as "Visual Studio Team Services (VSTS)".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harry|first1=Brian|title=News from Connect(); 2015|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bharry/archive/2015/11/18/news-from-connect-2015.aspx|website=Brian Harry's blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=November 22, 2015|archive-date=November 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122114306/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bharry/archive/2015/11/18/news-from-connect-2015.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 10, 2018, Microsoft announced another rebranding of the service, this time to "Azure DevOps Services".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Cool|first1=Jamie|title=Introducing Azure DevOps|date=September 10, 2018 |url=https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-azure-devops/|access-date=September 10, 2018|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910150134/https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-azure-devops/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Microsoft offers Stakeholder, Basic, and Visual Studio subscriber access levels for Azure DevOps Services. The Basic plan is free of charge for up to five users. Users with a Visual Studio subscription can be added to a plan with no additional charge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Visual Studio Online Pricing Details|url=https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/visual-studio-team-services/|website=Microsoft Azure|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=November 29, 2014|archive-date=November 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122123614/https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/visual-studio-team-services/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management===
{{anchor|Application Lifecycle Management}}
Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is a collection of integrated software development tools developed by Microsoft. These tools currently consist of the IDE (Visual Studio 2015 Community and greater editions), server (Team Foundation Server), and cloud services (Visual Studio Team Services).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/microsoft-takes-development-into-the-cloud-with-visual-studio-online/|title=Microsoft takes development into the cloud with Visual Studio Online|work=[[Ars Technica]]|publisher=Condé Nast|first=Peter|last=Bright|date=November 12, 2013|access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308060533/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/microsoft-takes-development-into-the-cloud-with-visual-studio-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> Visual Studio ALM supports team-based development and collaboration, Agile project management, [[DevOps]], source control, packaging, continuous development, automated testing, release management, continuous delivery, and reporting tools for apps and services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/fda2bad5.aspx|title=DevOps and Application Lifecycle Management|work=MSDN|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308112310/https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/fda2bad5.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, the brand was known as Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (VSTS). In October 2009, the Team System brand was renamed<ref name="Gasp! Microsoft unveils its!"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/bb725993.aspx|title=Microsoft Visual Studio Team System Code Name "Rosario"|access-date=April 5, 2008|archive-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513103016/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/bb725993.aspx}}</ref> Visual Studio ALM with the Visual Studio 2010 (codenamed 'Rosario') release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.octavie.nl/index.php/2009/11/25/visual-studio-2010-team-system-session|title=Visual Studio 2010 Team System session|first=Octavie|last=van Haaften|work=SharePoint: Working on it…|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=December 8, 2011|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426040420/http://blog.octavie.nl/index.php/2009/11/25/visual-studio-2010-team-system-session/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Visual Studio Team Services debuted as Visual Studio Online in 2013 and was renamed in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bharry/2015/11/18/news-from-connect-2015/|title=News from Connect(); 2015|first=Brian|last=Harry|work=Brian Harry's blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308061325/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bharry/2015/11/18/news-from-connect-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visual Studio Lab Management===
[[Software:Visual Studio Lab Management|Visual Studio Lab Management]] is a software development tool developed by [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] for software testers to create and manage virtual environments. Lab Management extends the existing Visual Studio Application Lifecycle Management platform to enable an integrated [[Software:Hyper-V|Hyper-V]] based test lab. Since Visual Studio 2012, it is already shipped as a part of it; and, can be set up after Azure DevOps and SCVMM are integrated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nkdagility.com/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/|title=Installing TFS 2012 with Lab Management 2012|first=Martin|last=Hinshelwood|date=June 20, 2012|website=Martin Hinshelwood - naked Agility Ltd|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002232/https://nkdagility.com/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visual Studio LightSwitch===
Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch is an extension and framework specifically tailored for creating line-of-business applications built on existing .NET technologies and Microsoft platforms. The applications produced are architecturally [[Multitier architecture|3-tier]]: the user interface runs on either Microsoft Silverlight or [[HTML5|HTML 5 client]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/htmlclient.aspx|title=LightSwitch HTML Client|website=MSDN|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604170231/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/htmlclient.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> or as a SharePoint 2013 app;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bethmassi/archive/2013/01/17/get-started-building-sharepoint-apps-in-minutes-with-lightswitch.aspx|title=Get Started Building SharePoint Apps in Minutes with LightSwitch|last=Massi|first=Beth|date=January 17, 2013|website=Beth Massi's blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510141619/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bethmassi/archive/2013/01/17/get-started-building-sharepoint-apps-in-minutes-with-lightswitch.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> the logic and data-access tier is built on [[Software:WCF Data Services|WCF Data Services]] and exposed as an OData feed hosted<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lightswitch/archive/2012/03/22/lightswitch-architecture-odata.aspx|title=LightSwitch Architecture: OData (John Rivard)|last=Rivard|first=John|date=March 22, 2012|website=Visual Studio LightSwitch Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=July 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702230341/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lightswitch/archive/2012/03/22/lightswitch-architecture-odata.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> in ASP.NET; and the primary data storage supports [[Software:SQL Server Express|Microsoft SQL Server Express]], [[Software:Microsoft SQL Server|Microsoft SQL Server]] and Microsoft SQL Azure. LightSwitch also supports other data sources including [[Software:SharePoint|Microsoft SharePoint]], OData and WCF RIA Services.

LightSwitch includes graphical designers for designing entities and entity relationships, entity queries, and UI screens. Business logic may be written in either [[Visual Basic .NET|Visual Basic]] or Visual C#. LightSwitch is included with Visual Studio 2012 Professional and higher. Visual Studio 2015 is the last release of Visual Studio that includes the LightSwitch tooling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/lightswitch/2016/10/14/lightswitch-update/|title=LightSwitch Update|website=Visual Studio LightSwitch Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319201316/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/lightswitch/2016/10/14/lightswitch-update/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The user interface layer is now an optional component when deploying a LightSwitch solution, allowing a service-only deployment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/hh973447.aspx|title=How to: Deploy a LightSwitch OData Service|website=MSDN|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601070556/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/hh973447.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first version of Visual Studio LightSwitch, released July 26, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lightswitch/archive/2011/07/05/visual-studio-lightswitch-2011-is-launching-july-26th.aspx|title=Visual Studio LightSwitch 2011 is Launching 26 July 26|work=Visual Studio LightSwitch Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|date=July 5, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=May 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521145800/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/lightswitch/archive/2011/07/05/visual-studio-lightswitch-2011-is-launching-july-26th.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> had many differences from the current{{when|date=November 2014}} release of LightSwitch. Notably the tool was purchased and installed as a stand-alone product. If Visual Studio 2010 Professional or higher was already installed on the machine, LightSwitch would integrate into that.<ref>{{cite web|last=Massi|first=Beth|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bethmassi/2010/08/03/rapid-business-application-development-with-visual-studio-lightswitch/|title=Rapid Business Application Development with Visual Studio LightSwitch|website=Beth Massi's blog|date=August 3, 2010 |publisher=Microsoft|access-date=August 4, 2010|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324094743/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/bethmassi/2010/08/03/rapid-business-application-development-with-visual-studio-lightswitch/|url-status=live}}</ref> The second major difference was the middle tier was built and exposed using WCF RIA Services.

As of October 14, 2016, Microsoft no longer recommends LightSwitch for new application development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/lightswitch/2016/10/14/lightswitch-update/|title=LightSwitch Update|website=Visual Studio LightSwitch Team Blog|publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]|access-date=May 31, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808153245/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/lightswitch/2016/10/14/lightswitch-update/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visual Studio Code===
{{Main|Software:Visual Studio Code}}
Visual Studio Code is a freeware [[Software:Source code editor|source code editor]], along with other features, for Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.<ref name=TechCrunch>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/29/microsoft-shocks-the-world-with-visual-studio-code-a-free-code-editor-for-os-x-linux-and-windows|title=Microsoft Launches Visual Studio Code, A Free Cross-Platform Code Editor For OS X, Linux And Windows|date=April 29, 2015|work=TechCrunch|first=Frederic|last=Lardinois|access-date=June 25, 2017|archive-date=October 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028161004/https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/29/microsoft-shocks-the-world-with-visual-studio-code-a-free-code-editor-for-os-x-linux-and-windows/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also includes support for [[Debugging|debugging]] and embedded Git Control. It is built on [[Open-source software|open-source]],<ref name="github vscode repository">{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/microsoft/vscode|title=GitHub - microsoft/vscode: Visual Studio Code.|date=July 22, 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=July 22, 2019|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122095504/https://github.com/microsoft/vscode|url-status=live}}</ref> and on April 14, 2016, version 1.0 was released.<ref name="Ars Technica">{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/04/visual-studio-code-editor-hits-version-1-has-half-a-million-users/|title=Visual Studio Code editor hits version 1, has half a million users|date=April 14, 2016|first=Peter|last=Bright|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707120125/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/04/visual-studio-code-editor-hits-version-1-has-half-a-million-users/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Visual Studio Team System Profiler===
{{Main|Software:VSTS Profiler}}
Visual Studio Team System Profiler (VSTS Profiler) is a tool to analyze the performance of .NET projects that analyzes the space and time complexity of the program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-IN/library/ms182372.aspx|title=Beginners Guide to Performance Profiling|website=MSDN|date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=Microsoft|access-date=December 27, 2016|archive-date=December 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227201352/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-IN/library/ms182372.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> It analyzes the code and prepares a report that includes CPU sampling, instrumentation, .NET memory allocation and [[Resource contention|resource contention]].

==See also==
*[[Software:Comparison of integrated development environments|Comparison of integrated development environments]]
*[[Software:GitHub Copilot|GitHub Copilot]]
*[[Microsoft Small Basic]]
*[[Software:Microsoft Visual Studio Express|Microsoft Visual Studio Express]]
*[[Software:Visual Studio Code|Visual Studio Code]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{MS DevTools}}
{{Integrated development environments}}
{{HTML editors}}
{{JavaScript}}

[[Category:Microsoft Visual Studio|]]
[[Category:Microsoft development tools]]
[[Category:Integrated development environments]]
[[Category:User interface builders]]
[[Category:Microsoft Visual Studio|Microsoft Visual Studio]]

{{Sourceattribution|Visual Studio}}