Visual Studio 2008 released to manufacturing -- so get started

Those developers who've worked with pre-RTM versions of Visual Studio 2008 must first uninstall that code before installing this latest version.

In general, this means launching Add/Remove Programs (in Windows XP) or Programs and Features (in Windows Vista) in Control Panel, and removing all references to Visual Studio 2008 or Codename Orcas products. It's also necessary to remove up to 22 different supporting products in a specific order (enumerated completely at Uninstalling Previous Versions of Visual Studio 2008). Only then can you begin to install the latest versions. Fortunately, most pre-release projects built using earlier versions of Visual Studio 2008 should continue to work in the RTM environment.

The following 90-day trial versions of Visual Studio 2008 are available:

• Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
• Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite
• Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server
• Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Load Agent

The following (free) Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions are also available:

• Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition
• Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition
• Visual C# 2008 Express Edition
• Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition
• SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (Remember, SQL Server 2008 will be released in February 2008)

You can also access instructions for downloading a complete set of files from which to burn the Visual Studio Express Editions DVD. This provides all of the aforementioned Express products in a single ISO image file, along with other optional components interested developers are sure to find useful.

And last, but by no means least, the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is also available for download, and offers numerous incremental improvements to .NET Framework versions 2.0 and 3.0, as well as numerous added features.

As a kind of version update roll-up, this download also includes Service Pack 1 for both of those previous versions of the .NET Framework Framework as well (2.0 and 3.0). Important new features include the Language Integrated Guery (LINQ) and easy access into SQL data, XML documents, and DataSets using common syntax and notation; support for ASP.NET AJAX; Web protocol support for the Windows Communication Foundation, and new base classes designed to address user enhancement requests. Note: the full-blown redistributable .NET Framework 3.5 package is available for download, too.

Despite the timing of this RTM, this collection of goodies is no turkey. Check out these links to see what I mean!

Ed Tittel is a writer and trainer whose interests include XML and development topics, along with IT Certification and information security. E-mail etittel@techtarget.com with comments, questions, or suggested topics or tools to review. Cool tools rule!

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchWinDevelopment.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. Submit a Tip Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us    RELATED CONTENT .NET Developer How to speed up Visual Studio 2008's slow WPF designer How to list fonts in WPF using markup extensions and data templates How to convince management to buy Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Microsoft webcast series previews new Visual Studio 2010 features New features in Windows 7 bring new UI considerations for developers User Account Control (UAC): How to develop code for standard users Introduction to Vista's user account control (UAC) for developers Visual Studio 2008 code metrics tools will help keep code clean Downloadable MSDN library released for VS 2008 SP 1 Widgetbox provides good example of how to use Facebook Developer Toolkit .NET Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008 development Microsoft's message at TechEd: make the most of what you have How to speed up Visual Studio 2008's slow WPF designer How to list fonts in WPF using markup extensions and data templates How to convince management to buy Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Moonlight 1.0 release brings Silverlight to Linux Microsoft cuts Visual Studio 2008 upgrade prices as VS 2010 looms User Account Control (UAC): How to develop code for standard users How to write installers in Vista that work correctly under UAC How to elevate programs' privileges correctly using Vista's UAC Introduction to Vista's user account control (UAC) for developers RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary Cosmos  (SearchWinDevelopment.com) IronRuby  (SearchWinDevelopment.com) Visual Studio Express (VSE)  (SearchWinDevelopment.com) RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.