PSA: Visual Studio Express is UNBELIEVABLY awesome

[beer]

I know this has been posted before, but I've been using VC++ Express for a c ouple of days now. For those of you who haven't heard of it (the express editions), go to http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/visualc/.

The program is simply unbelievable. Microsoft wrote a hell of an IDE - this blows anything else I have ever used clear out of the water. Granted, I'm writing straight C right now (an assembler) but the way the debugger works, the control you have over the layout, all so vastly improved since prior versions of VC that it makes me want to cry with joy.....

 

[MDesigner]

I've been using Visual C# Express Beta 1.. it rocks.

BIG NEWS: Pricing has been announced. Visual Studio Express packages will be $49 each!! ONLY $49.

This is great news for hobbyists.

PS: Beta 2 is now available...

 

[notfred]

It doesn't do anything that Visual Studio.NET doesn't do, does it?

 

[ttown]

does it support any sort of vi/vim-like plugin/key-mappings?

If so, I'll jump aboard and wave flags, cheer, whatever.... If not, then it will just be another disappointing editor, with a few neat buttons.

I swear to god, if I have to take my hands off the keyboard and click something with a mouse just to do something I could have done in 2 key-presses in vi, I will scream.

 

[MDesigner]

notfred: Yeah, it does. This is the whole new Visual Studio 2005 thing MS is releasing. Visual Studio Express is their cheaper line of products.. rather limited, but perfect for hobbyists. I don't know details beyond that. Go check out the site:

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/

ttown: *slap* You were meant for UNIX development, man!

 

[mundane]

Just read their FAQ, and the product can be used to develop commercial applications(edit: I expected it to be strictly for non-com use, especially with the price). I used VC# for my C# class, and am using VC++ for my CG class. No complaints so far.

 

[MDesigner]

I would definitely write "DonateWare" with VC# Express. It's not commercial really. People can donate $ if they want to, but they don't have to.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/art/Beta2/VC_Hero.jpg

???

There's even:

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/art/Beta2/VB_Hero.jpg

He's the hero of VB.

I may try out the VB Express Edition, I'll be using VB.NET when I start my summer coop job. Been busy with school work to really learn it well so far.

 

[MDesigner]

Those hero photos are dumb. The VB hero looks a little confused. Maybe VB is too hard for him, and he should stick with skateboarding.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Nice

 

[bob4432]

are there major difference between vb6 and vbe?

 

[MDesigner]

Check the official site.. it should show the differences. VB Express has no class designer, and a lot of other stuff is missing.

 

[Zugzwang152]

glad to see a positive Microsoft thread. Too many people jumping on the hate-MS bandwagon these days.

 

[MDesigner]

Definitely a positive thread.. MS is making a great move here with VS Express. Think about it.. making it really affordable for hobbyists to program. Hence, there could very well be more freeware/shareware released as a result.

It's a good thing. I will definitely be dropping the $50 on Visual C# Express. Hopefully there's an upgrade path to Visual Studio 2005 Standard ($299).

 

[notfred]

So what does it do that .NET 2003 doesn't, aside from the obvious .NET 2.0 support?

I can get .NET 2005 for free when it comes out anyway, but I'd like to know what the new features are .

 

[MDesigner]

Dunno.. go read about it.

I just installed the new Visual C# Express Beta 2. When I run it, it tries to show a 'getting started' page.. but apparently it's missing:

C:\Program%20Files\Microsoft%20Visual%20Studio%208\Common7\IDE\VCSExpress\HTML\GettingStarted.htm

Anyone else experience this?

 

[FrustratedUser]

Downloading all of the Express version images rigth now.
:thumbsup:

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
Dunno.. go read about it.

I just installed the new Visual C# Express Beta 2. When I run it, it tries to show a 'getting started' page.. but apparently it's missing:

C:\Program%20Files\Microsoft%20Visual%20Studio%208\Common7\IDE\VCSExpress\HTML\GettingStarted.htm

Anyone else experience this?

I don't know about that specific instance, but I've found the downloads to be more-or-less barebones. For instance, I was pulling out my hair trying to compile other programs w/ this version, but it couldn't find the required headers / libraries anywhere. Turns out you need to install (at least for VC++ Windows development) the MS Windows SDK. IIRC, the help files are also a separate download.

 

[MDesigner]

Oh MAN, I'm freaking out here! .NET 2.0 is really coming along nicely. The new classes ROCK!! FileSystemWatcher?! BackgroundWorker?! Kick...ass!