Visual Studio 2008 + .NET 3.5 is LIVE!

Visual Studio Logo - White Background It's official!  The product we've all be waiting for is released!  It's been a fun ride, 2 years 12 days since VS 2005 was released.  Our new version has a lot of great new functionality.

Check it all out at the MSDN site for Visual Studio 2008.  The .NET Framework 3.5 is ready, there's a 90-day trial of VS, and Express Editions are free.  MSDN Subscribers can download VS 2008 now.

Some of my favorite new features are:

  • Code Profiler
    The Profiler has seen huge improvements in this version.  It is quick and easy to use.  I've pinned down perf issues in code in minutes using it, including a 5x app speed gain due to string comparisons.  It is in VS Team Suite & Developer editions.
  • LINQ
    I'm totally digging LINQ now and am excited to see others use it in production code.  I love all the misc language improvements in C# 3.0 (mostly due to LINQ).  My ASP.NET provider, DiscountASP.NET has had a free Beta2 sandbox to play with.  But I've been using the latest build for awhile so I'm looking forward to getting my code published. :)
  • Overall Performance
    VS load fast, real fast now.  One of my favorite demos is to assign a hotkey to VS, and just keep hitting it to load instances in about 3sec each.  Given this is with the Start Page turned off and without a project loading, but overall it's noticeable better than 2005.

Stuff to Check Out

(This is my first release of VS to see all the way through.  When I joined we were mid way through VS 2005.  It's exciting to see VS from start to finish.  Enjoy!)

Comments

  • Anonymous
    November 19, 2007
    Great work Noah :o) Congratulations !!!!!!

  • Anonymous
    November 25, 2007
    Grant Holliday on VS2008 and .NET 3.5 Training & Demo Kit. Jeff Beehler on Watch me on Channel 9....