Quick overview:
Visual Studio 2012 can also be used on smartphones and tablets. But the current development environment for all Microsoft platforms has more to offer, especially when it comes to visualization. Where to download Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2012? Why Visual Studio Express 2012 is free of charge? What other editions are available? WINDOWS TWEAKS explains in a quick check.
Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 via download & DVD - what's new?
Microsoft's Visual Studio 2012 is the first development environment that offers everything you need to program apps for Windows 8. Applications can also be developed for the web, SharePoint and mobile devices (especially Windows phones). The cloud is also strongly represented. Applications can be designed and implemented for the Microsoft Azure cloud. The various editions and licenses are available for download or on DVD.
The most important thing for developers in Visual Studio 2012 is the new interface, which has been modernized for the first time in a long time. The interface is very reminiscent of Office 2013 and is organized as a "ribbon" interface.
The individual editions are (see table below for a comparison of facts):
- Microsoft's Visual Studio Ultimate 2012 with MSDN
- Microsoft's Visual Studio Premium 2012 with MSDN
- Microsoft's Visual Studio Professional 2012 with MSDN
- Microsoft's Visual Studio Professional 2012
- Microsoft's Visual Studio Test Professional 2012 with MSDN
Visual Studio 2012 & Windows Store - Reaching millions of mobile users
Windows 8 introduced the Windows Store, which allows users to easily download and purchase apps.
This potential can be easily exploited with the help of apps developed in Visual Studio 2012. The rules and conditions for the store are very transparent, opening the door to millions of Windows 8 users. This distribution channel can also be used to sell the apps.
PC, tablet & smartphone - with HTML5 and CSS3
Better publishing tools, new templates and comprehensive support for the new HTML5 and CSS3 standards characterize web development with Visual Studio 2012. The great thing about the new development environment for ASP.NET is also the ability to develop applications that work equally well on smartphones, PCs and tablets.
Teamwork and more
Modern applications are becoming increasingly complex and therefore require appropriate support. Visual Studio 2012 offers special processes and tools for this in order to be able to work optimally in a team. A major focus here is on agile development.
It doesn't matter where the team's developers are located, collaboration works from anywhere. Communication can be made more efficient and software cycle times can be shortened as a result. Visual Studio 2012 also supports the delivery of high-quality results.
Visual Studio Express 2012 - free of charge for hobby developers
Microsoft is also making revised Express editions available with the new version of Visual Studio. These slimmed-down versions of the development environment can be downloaded and used free of charge.
There are a total of five Express editions, each of which specializes in one area of development:
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Web
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows Desktop
- Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows Phone
- Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Express 2012
The Express Editions can be ordered here (http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/deu/downloads#d-2012-express) download.
Who visit the Microsoft Store can redeem a small discount voucher via this link.
Comparison of Visual Studio 2012 Ultimate, Premium, Professional
Ultimate with MSDN | Premium with MSDN | Test Professional with MSDN | Professional with MSDN | Professional | ||
| Working in an IDE (integrated development environment) to develop web, desktop, cloud, server and smartphone projects simultaneously | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Application debugging and profiling tools to analyze and further develop codes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Component tests and extensible test framework to check code quality | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Reach older and newest Microsoft platforms and tools (new ones will be added permanently) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Team Foundation Server with Team Foundation Server CAL | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Develop applications for the Cloud, Windows Store and Windows Phone Marketplace and place them there, including service and subscription benefits | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Virtual lab environments to perform and manage tests with standardized configurations | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Agile project management tools for better team coordination | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Organize and define test plans through test case management and exploratory testing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Improve code quality via code review using peer workflow | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Increasing development productivity with multitasking | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Automation of user interface tests to check the application user interface | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Search and management of duplicate code in the CodeBase to optimize the architecture | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Definition of how much code is to be checked using code coverage analysis | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Capture and reproduce bugs found during manual and exploratory testing to exclude non-reproducible bugs | ✔ | |||||
| Optimized understanding of dependencies and relationships within the code through visualization | ✔ | |||||
| Visualization of the effect of a change or possible change in the code | ✔ | |||||
| Acquisition and analysis of runtime diagnostics data from production systems | ✔ | |||||
| Execution of unlimited web performance & load tests | ✔ | |||||
| Design of architectural layer diagrams (for code review and implementation in architecture) | ✔ |
(Source: Microsoft GmbH, URL: http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/deu/products/compare)
All new features can also be found here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb386063.aspx - or simply take a look at the Microsoft Store.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
