List of Available Services

Visual Basic 2008 and the Visual Studio 2008 SDK support the following services. Note that some packages offer their own services which are not listed here. For example, language services do not have a single service GUID. You must use the name of the language to find the GUID of the language service in the registry.

Use the service GUIDs listed here or obtained from some other source (for example, language services) to obtain the primary interface or interfaces shown with each service. For more information, see COM and Managed Services.

The Services

Service	Interface	Visual Studio	Visual Studio 2005	Description
SBindHost	IBindHost	Yes	Yes	Used by VSPackages to obtain an IBindHost interface from an ActiveX control to facilitate asynchronous data transfers.
SDTE	DTE	No	Yes	Obtains the Design Time Extensibility (DTE) object used for automation. C/C++ ID: SID_SDTE
SCodeNavigate	ICodeNavigate	Yes	Yes	Implemented by a forms designer to display the default event handler for a control.
SContainerDispatch	IDispatch	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to access the automation interface of another VSPackage or a control.
SExtendedTypeLib	IExtendedTypeLib	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to add or create an extended type library.
SDirList	IDirList	No	Yes	Provides access to a container's named list of lists; for example, the list of directories to search as shown in the Find and Replace dialog box in the Look In drop-down list. The IDirList object can be read from as well as written to.
SIVsPackageDynamicToolOwner	IVsPackageDynamicToolOwner	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to have its own tool windows dynamically shown or hidden.
SLicensedClassManager	ILicensedClassManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to indicate to Visual Studio the classes that it requires by specifying a list of license keys.
SLocalRegistry	ILocalRegistry ILocalRegistry2	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to access the registry relative to the local Visual Studio registry hive.
SOleComponentManager	IOleComponentManager	Yes	Yes	Provides component coordination services such as message loops, keyboard loops, and event notifications.
SOleComponentUIManager	IOleComponentUIManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to access the various user interface (UI) elements of Visual Basic 2008, such as help, status bar, and UI events.
SOleInPlaceComponent	IOleInPlaceComponent	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to integrate its UI with the UI of Visual Basic 2008.
SOleInPlaceComponentSite	IOleInPlaceComponentSite	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to control UI changes that are specific to tools.
SOleUndoManager	IOleUndoManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to access a container's undo manager to either participate in that container's undo stack or to access that container's undo stack.
SProfferService	IProfferService	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to offer its own services.
SProfferTypeLib	IProfferTypeLib	Yes	Yes	Allows a forms designer to make a type library available for reference.
STrackSelection	ITrackSelection	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the selections in a selection container. Used by a forms designer.
SUIHostCommandDispatcher	IOleCommandTarget	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to participate in the command handler chain and handle commands on behalf of the integrated development environment (IDE) or itself.
SUIHostLocale	IUIHostLocale	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the UI locale information of the host.
SVsActivityLog	IVsActivityLog	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to log high-level messages when logging is turned on.
SVsAddProjectItemDlg	IVsAddProjectItemDlg	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Add Project Item dialog box, allowing VSPackages to implement their own Add Item menu option.
SVsAddWebReferenceDlg	IVsAddWebReferenceDlg	Yes	Yes	Displays the Add Web Reference dialog box.
SVsAppCommandLine	IVsAppCommandLine	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to determine if a command-line switch was given to devenv.exe.
SVsCallBrowser	IVsCallBrowser	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create a new Call Browser used in debugging.
SVsClassView	IVsClassView	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to synchronize the Class View to a specific object.
SVsCmdNameMapping	IVsCmdNameMapping	Yes	Yes	Provides support for mapping command names to GUIDs and back and determining the names of all available commands and names.
SVsCodeDefView	IVsCodeDefView	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to manipulate the Code Definition View.
SVsCodeShareHandler	IVsCodeShareHandler	Yes	Yes	Internal service. Do not use.
SVsCodeWindow	IVsCodeWindow	Yes	Yes	Provides access to a code window that can contain one or more documents.
SVsCodeWindowManager	IVsCodeWindowManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to add changes to the code window such as drop-down bars.
SVsCommandWindow	IVsCommandWindow IVsCommandWindow2	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to run a command through the Command Window and otherwise interact with the Command Window.
SVsCommandWindowsCollection	IVsCommandWindowsCollection	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to manipulate the list of Command windows maintained by Visual Studio.
SVsComplusLibrary	IVsLibraryReferenceManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to provide browse information to the Object Browser.
SVsComponentSelectorDlg	IVsComponentSelectorDlg	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to support the Add Reference option, which lets a user select external components to add to the project.
SVsComponentSelectorDlg2	IVsComponentSelectorDlg2	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to support the Add Reference option, which lets a user select external components to add to the project. This version of the dialog box allows pre-populating of the component list before it is shown.
SVsConfigurationManagerDlg	IVsConfigurationManagerDlg	No	Yes	Displays the Configuration Manager dialog box.
SVsCreateAggregateProject	IVsCreateAggregateProject	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create a project that contains a collection of other projects.
SVsDebuggableProtocol	IVsDebuggableProtocol	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to update the list of debuggable protocols used by the IDE to start particular debug engines.
SVsDebugLaunch	IVsDebugLaunch	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to support starting a debugger.
SVsDiscoveryService	IVsDiscoveryService	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create a discovery session that is used to discover Web services.
SVsEnumHierarchyItemsFactory	IVsEnumHierarchyItemsFactory	Yes	Yes	Provides a factory to create IVsEnumHierarchyItemsFactory objects used to enumerate over specified hierarchies (projects).
SVsErrorList	IVsErrorList	No	Yes	Provides additional methods for manipulating the Build Error List task window. Specifically, brings the Build Error List task window to the forefront and forces all errors to be displayed.
SVsExternalFilesManager	IVsExternalFilesManager	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Miscellaneous Files project node of the current solution.
SVsFileChange		Yes	Yes	Obsolete. Use SVsFileChangeEx service instead.
SVsFileChangeEx	IVsFileChangeEx	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to gain access to various file change events triggered by the IDE.
SVsFilterAddProjectItemDlg	IVsFilterAddProjectItemDlg	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to filter items that appear in the Add Item dialog box.
SVsFilterKeys	IVsFilterKeys	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to perform advanced keyboard filtering.
SVsFontAndColorCacheManager	IVsFontAndColorCacheManager	No	Yes	Provides access to the set of caches for fonts and colors in Visual Basic 2008 to refresh or clear a particular cache or all caches.
SVsFontAndColorStorage	IVsFontAndColorStorage IVsFontAndColorUtilities	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to manipulate the font and color settings maintained by Visual Basic 2008. In addition, this service provides access to a collection of utility methods for manipulating font and color data.
SVsGeneralOutputWindowPane	IVsOutputWindowPane	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the general Output Window pane, creating it as necessary.
SVsHelp	Help	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Visual Basic 2008 Help system for keyword or URL access as well as navigation control through a help file.
SVsHelpService	IVsHelpSystem	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Help system.
SVsHTMLConverter	IVsHTMLConverter	Yes	Yes	Used by the Visual Basic 2008 debugger to handle HTML to format its output.
SVsIME	IVsIME	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Input Method Editor (IME) API from within a VSPackage.
SVsIntegratedHelp	SVsHelp	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Visual Basic 2008 Help system for keyword or URL access as well as navigation control through a help file. This service is available only if Help is integrated into the Visual Basic 2008 IDE and not running as an external program.
SVsIntelliMouseHandler	IVsIntelliMouseHandler	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to gain access to IntelliMouse functionality such as using the mouse wheel and handling scroll and pan bitmaps when the mouse wheel is clicked.
SVsIntellisenseEngine	IVsIntellisenseEngine	No	Yes	Allows a project hierarchy node to load or unload files as part of support for IntelliSense operations. The process of loading and unloading triggers events that can affect what is displayed in IntelliSense tooltips for the project. Designed to be used with Contained Languages.
SVsIntellisenseProjectHost	IVsIntellisenseProjectHost	No	Yes	Allows a project hierarchy node to provide information about nested IntelliSense projects (that implement the IVsIntellisenseProject interface) that can be displayed in an IntelliSense tooltip. Designed to be used with Contained Languages.
SVsIntellisenseProjectManager	IVsIntellisenseProjectManager	No	Yes	Allows a project hierarchy node to advise listeners of events, such as changes in references or configuration, which can affect what is displayed in IntelliSense tooltips. Designed to be used with Contained Languages.
SVsInvisibleEditorManager	IVsInvisibleEditorManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register an "invisible" editor, that is, an editor that provides full editing functionality but is not visible to users.
SVsLanguageFilter	IVsTextViewFilter	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to provide additional information to the text view such as data tips and the extent of words.
SVsLaunchPad	IVsLaunchPad	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to execute temporary batch scripts, to execute a command-line program whose output is sent to an output pane, and to parse standard warning and error messages that are sent to an error window.
SVsLaunchPadFactory	IVsLaunchPadFactory	Yes	Yes	Provides a factory for creating IVsLaunchPad objects.
SVsLinkedUndoTransactionManager	IVsLinkedUndoTransactionManager	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the linked undo manager.
SVsMenuEditor	IVsMenuEditorFactory	Yes	Yes	Allows a forms designer to access the shared menu editor. IVsMenuEditorFactory can be queried for IVsMenuEditor.
SVsMonitorUserContext	IVsMonitorUserContext	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create a "context bag", which is used to associate Help keywords for a particular context.
SVsObjBrowser	IVsObjBrowser	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to navigate to a specific object in the Object Browser.
SVsObjectManager	IVsObjectManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register its library manager with Visual Basic 2008 for managing objects such as a namespaces, classes and enumerations.
SVsObjectSearch	IVsObjectSearch	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to search for a particular object.
SVsOpenProjectOrSolutionDlg	IVsOpenProjectOrSolutionDlg	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to use the standard Visual Basic 2008 dialog box to open a project or solution.
SVsOutputWindow	IVsOutputWindow	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create additional output panes in the general Output window.
SVsParseCommandLine	IVsParseCommandLine	Yes	Yes	Allows an implementer of the IOleCommandTarget interface to parse command lines.
SVsPathVariableResolver	IVsPathVariableResolver	No	Yes	Provides a way to resolve variables that are specific to Visual Basic 2008 and that are embedded in paths to produce a final path.
SVsPreviewChangesService	IVsPreviewChangesService	No	Yes	Displays the Preview Changes dialog box that is used in refactoring code.
SVsProfileDataManager	IVsProfileDataManager	No	Yes	Provides access to the profile manager of Visual Basic 2008 which allows for importing and exporting settings data as well as displaying a UI of the current user's profile settings.
SVsProfilesManagerUI	IVsProfilesManagerUI	No	Yes	Displays a dialog box showing the current user's profile settings.
SVsPropertyPageFrame	IVsPropertyPageFrame	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to override which property page is initially shown in the Properties window.
SVsQueryEditQuerySave	IVsQueryEditQuerySave2	No	Yes	Used by VSPackages to inform a source control provider that a file is about to be changed in memory or saved.
SVsRegisterDebugTargetProvider	IVsRegisterProjectDebugTargetProvider	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage project to programmatically override the target to launch in a debugger.
SVsRegisterEditors	IVsRegisterEditors	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register an editor factory with the IDE.
SVsRegisterFindScope	IVsRegisterFindScope	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register a search scope for the Find in Files dialog box.
SVsRegisterPriorityCommandTarget	IVsRegisterPriorityCommandTarget	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register itself as a high priority command handler, which allows the VSPackage to see all commands. Use sparingly, if at all.
SVsRegisterProjectTypes	IVsRegisterProjectTypes	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register project types with the IDE.
SVsResourceManager	IVsResourceManager	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to load managed and unmanaged resources from satellite DLLs.
SVsResourceView	IVsResourceView	Yes	Yes	Use SVsClassView service instead.
SVsRunningDocumentTable	IVsRunningDocumentTable	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the IDE's Running Document Table (RDT) that tracks all currently opened documents.
SVsSccManager	IVsSccManager2	No	Yes	Allows VSPackages to register themselves with a source control provider so they can participate in source control.
SVsSccToolsOptions	IVsSccToolsOptions	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to get and set source control provider options.
SVsSettingsReader	IVsSettingsReader	No	Yes	Provides read access to the user's profile settings.
SVsShell	IVsShell	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to directly interact with and manipulate other VSPackages.
SVsShellDebugger	IVsDebugger	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the Visual Basic 2008 debugger.
SVsShellMonitorSelection	IVsMonitorSelection	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to access the current selection and manage command UI contexts.
SVSMDCodeDomProvider	IVSMDCodeDomProvider	No	Yes	Provides access to a code document object model (DOM) provider which can be used in native code.
SVSMDDesignerService	IVSMDCodeDomCreator IVSMDDesignerService	No	Yes	Provides access to the IDE's support for managed form designers. The IVSMDCodeDomCreator can be used to create code DOM providers.
SVSMDPropertyBrowser	IVSMDPropertyBrowser	No	Yes	Provides access to the designer property windows service.
SVSMDTypeResolutionService	IVSMDTypeResolutionService	No	Yes	Provides access to an interface that can return an ITypeResolutionService object useable in native code.
SVsSmartOpenScope	IVsSmartOpenScope	No	Yes	Provides a way to open a scope on an assembly, taking into account locking as needed.
SVsSolution	IVsSolution	Yes	Yes	Provides top-level access to the current solution.
SVsSolutionBuildManager	IVsSolutionBuildManager	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to interact with a solution's build process.
SVsSolutionObject	IVsSolution	Yes	Yes	Use the SVsSolution service instead.
SVsSolutionPersistence	IVsSolutionPersistence	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to store and retrieve information from the current solution's .sln file.
SVsSQLCLRReferences	IVsSQLCLRReferences	No	Yes	Provides the ability add and update references in managed code assemblies.
SVsStartPageDownload	IVsStartPageDownload	No	Yes	Provides access to the Start Page's download service for starting and stopping the download service on a background thread.
SVsStatusbar	IVsStatusbar	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the IDE's status bar.
SVsStrongNameKeys	IVsStrongNameKeys	No	Yes	Provides access to methods for creating strong key names and key files with passwords that are used in signing managed code assemblies.
SVsStructuredFileIO	IVsStructuredFileIO	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to provide support for saving data in multiple formats.
SVsTaskList	IVsTaskList	Yes	Yes	Provides access the IDE's Task List window.
SVsTextImageUtilities	IVsTextImageUtilities	No	Yes	Provides utilities for loading and saving text files.
SVsTextManager	IVsTextManager IVsHiddenTextManager	Yes	Yes	Provides access to all text buffers as well as hidden text sessions (for hidden regions) that are available in the IDE.
SVsTextOut	IVsTextOut	Yes	Yes	Provides a version of the Win32 TextOut function for writing text to a device context (requires a DC handle).
SVsTextSpanSet	IVsTextSpanSet	Yes	Yes	Provides access to a list of text spans in a text image or buffer. This service is typically implemented on a container of documents and refers to the current document.
SVsThreadedWaitDialog	IVsThreadedWaitDialog	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to show a dialog box that waits on a different thread (used to waiting for background tasks).
SVsThreadPool	IVsThreadPool	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to initiate background tasks that are then maintained by Visual Basic 2008.
SVsToolbox	IVsToolbox	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the IDE's Toolbox.
SVsToolboxActiveXDataProvider	IVsToolboxDataProvider	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to obtain information from Toolbox items.
SVsToolboxDataProviderRegistry	IVsToolboxDataProviderRegistry	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to register a toolbox data provider without incurring the performance cost of preloading the entire Toolbox.
SVsToolsOptions	IVsToolsOptions	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to determine if the Options dialog box is open and to refresh the visibility of all options page.
SVsTrackProjectDocuments	IVsTrackProjectDocuments2 IVsTrackProjectDocuments3	No	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to monitor changes in a project's files and to provide batch control over a source control provider.
SVsTrackSelectionEx	IVsTrackSelectionEx	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to inform the IDE of changes to a selection that can affect the currently selected project item.
SVsUIHierWinClipboardHelper	IVsUIHierWinClipboardHelper	Yes	Yes	Allows a hierarchy (such as a project VSPackage) to coordinate use of the clipboard with other hierarchies.
SVsUIShell	IVsUIShell	Yes	Yes	Provides access to the IDE's UI elements such as tool windows and document windows.
SVsUIShellDocumentWindowMgr	IVsUIShellDocumentWindowMgr	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to restore the positions of all windows based on the contents of a stream of data or to save the position of all windows to a stream. Rarely used.
SVsUIShellOpenDocument	IVsUIShellOpenDocument	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to open documents in numerous ways and to determine who owns what document.
SVsUpgradeLogger	IVsUpgradeLogger	No	Yes	Used by implementers of the IVsProjectUpgradeViaFactory interface to report error and informational messages.
SVsWebBrowsingService	IVsWebBrowsingService	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to create and control a Web browsing session.
SVsWebFavorites	IVsWebFavorites	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to add to the user's Favorites list.
SVsWebPreview	IVsWebPreview	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to preview a Web page, typically in a child window.
SVsWebURLMRU	IVsWebURLMRU	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to add a URL to the Most Recently Used (MRU) list of URLs and to obtain a list of all URLs in the MRU list.
SVsWindowFrame	IVsWindowFrame	Yes	Yes	Allows a VSPackage to obtain the window frame in which the package or part of the package might be situated.
SVsXMLMemberIndexService	IVsXMLMemberIndexService	Yes	Yes	Provides access to XML-formatted documentation files associated with a particular metadata file.

See Also

Other Resources

COM and Managed Services

Services