Just after releasing Windows 8 RTM to TechNet and MSDN subscribers and a free 90-day trial version of Windows 8 RTM to public, Microsoft has also released RTM versions of Visual Studio 2012 and .NET Framework 4.5.
Visual Studio 2012:
According to Microsoft, "Visual Studio 2012" (previously known as Visual Studio 11) offers an improved developer experience that includes a simplified user interface (Windows 8 Metro UI inspired) designed to keep developers focused on their work, with fewer distractions and easier access to the tools they need.
Following are some major improvements and new features in Visual Studio 2012:
Reduced toolbar commands: To help free up precious workspace, Microsoft has reduced the number of default commands that show on toolbars in the user interface. These commands can still be accessed through the drop-down menus or added back onto the toolbar if the user wants them, but now the default work area is significantly larger. For example, the cut, copy and paste toolbar commands were removed because research has shown that most developers use the keyboard shortcuts instead.
Simplified graphics: Visual Studio 2012 eliminates the use of color within tools except in cases where color is used for notification or status change purposes. Now, the user interface competes far less with the developer's content. Other user interface graphics, such as line work and iconography, also have been simplified to be less distracting.
Comprehensive search: Visual Studio 2012 features a comprehensive search capability, allowing developers to quickly find what they are looking for within commands and configuration options, tool windows, and open files.
Workflow hubs: New workflow hubs combine common tasks into one simplified window. Rather than force developers to interact with two or more tool windows to get tasks done, Visual Studio 2012 streamlines common tasks so that many can be accomplished from within a single window.
Preview Tabs: Developers can view the contents of documents using new Preview Tabs, which get reused as the developer works. As a result, developers no longer end up with large numbers of extraneous documents open as a byproduct of common tasks such as debugging or browsing results.
In addition, "Visual Studio 2012" also includes support for Windows 8 and Web development, which are supported by Visual Studio Express for Windows 8 and "Visual Studio 2012" Express for Web, respectively.
.NET Framework 4.5:
With .NET Framework 4.5, Microsoft .NET has been enhanced significantly to enable developers to be as productive as possible while building rich, reliable and high-performance software in managed code.
Following are some major improvements in .NET Framework 4.5:
Languages: To help developers deliver responsive clients and scalable servers, the C# and Visual Basic languages now have built-in support for writing asynchronous code almost as easily as if it were synchronous. And to help developers tackle data-complex problems, F# integrates Type Providers to make data access trivial in F# programs and components.
Performance: The Common Language Runtime has been overhauled to provide better performance, in particular for server applications and services. With additions such as background server garbage collection, multicore background JIT compilation and profile-guided optimization, managed applications can now start faster and run with better throughput and lower latency.
Networking: With the proliferation of devices and continuous services in the cloud, .NET Framework 4.5 builds upon the high-quality networking libraries already available in .NET to further enable the development of increasingly connected applications. New support spans from modern HTTP libraries to WebSockets to support for contract-first service development.
Beyond such areas, many additions have gone into improving the .NET Framework end to end. There are improvements from regular expression processing to better support for compression standards, enhanced support for HTML5, developer productivity enhancements in Entity Framework, optimized mobile experiences through ASP.NET, and more, ensuring .NET Framework 4.5 has something new for all developers building for the client and the cloud.
NOTE: Visual Studio 2012 and .NET Framework 4.5 can be installed in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012.
Also check:
What is Microsoft .NET Framework? Download Links for All Versions
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Software
ashish gupta
Nice post....~_~
thnxx VG....,...^_^
Joshua
Very cool, been waiting for the next VS11 release. Will download and install today!
Joshua
When I say release I mean next build released to the public not the actual release...
MJPollard
VS11: continuing Microsoft's grand tradition of making Visual Studio WORSE with each new release.
I'm actually starting to long for the days of simple text editors and compiling from the command line...
sasja
I thought Visual Studio 11 beta was released last year...
is this a next beta?
the features look good!
but I don't like .NET, C++ and java are still better, espesially when people use older versions of windows (XP or so) can't use the program, and most people don't understand why a .NET program isn't working.
MJPollard
@sasja: I code in C#, C++, C, and Java where I work, and each language has its place. The only "better" is "better for a particular purpose." I certainly wouldn't code a device driver in C#, for example, but I would use it for sophisticated database projects (as the .NET framework makes database access and manipulation much easier than in C++). A good developer keeps an open mind, and will use the right tools for the job at hand.
MJPollard
That being said, the Metrofied VS11 interface still stinks like rancid pond water. At least MS is acting true to form: once they latch onto an idea, good or bad, they proceed to pour it all over their product line like ketchup. (Example: the ribbon.) Which rocket scientists thought that using all upper case for tool windows, bleeding all the color out of icons and other UI elements, and painting everything a dull, depressing gray were great ideas?
Swapnil99pro
Quote: sasja
"C++ and java are still better, espesially when people use older versions of windows (XP or so) can't use the program, and most people don't understand why a .NET program isn't working."
Not exactly I will say. Windows XP SP3 users surely can download .NET versions 1.1 to 4.0. And .NET Framework version 2.0 to 3.5 are also served to Windows XP users via Microsoft Update. Also when a required version of .NET Framework isn't found - Windows mostly opens a webpage to download it.
However errors due to Visual C++ Redistributable versions not installed are not understood by most average users.
sasja
^^ indeed, but keep in mind that some people think "what's this? omg, I am scared".
I have seen 'professional' administrators that don't update their .NET version, and are thinking what's wrong here.
And some programs can run from win95 up to win8, how awesome is that? (C++ of course)
and if you don't compile a program directly into machine code, but use it as a virtual machine, it will be (a bit) slower.
and on VB you need to type a bit more, just look at these examples:
as far as I know VB it's like this:
private sub; dim askvg as integer; set askvg=1337; end sub;
on C++ you would type this:
int main (){ int askvg=1337} //as you can see here it's smaller.
I didn't say it's totally crap, I just don't really like it.
Prem
Will this work on win xp?
VG
^^ No.
Drakuri
Will this work on vista, and if no, is there a way to solve this problem?
Avi
I really sleep while going through C#, but works well for windows applications.
@Vishal which framework are u using for your wp-theme??
Nipun
Thanks for the update! But I have a few questions.
1. What all versions of .NET Framework does Windows 8 come pre-installed with?
2. Does this version include v4 as well? Meaning if we install this then we don't need to install v4 anymore?
VG
^^ I think yes. According to Microsoft:
.NET 4.5 is an in-place update of .NET 4 and provides very high app compatibility for all .NET 4 scenarios.
Regarding Windows 8, I think it comes with version 4.0.
Aryabhatta Ganguly
.net 4.5 direct download link
download.microsoft.com/download/b/a/4/ba4a7e71-2906-4b2d-a0e1-80cf16844f5f/dotnetfx45_full_x86_x64.exe
Nipun
@VG - Just installed Windows 8. Tried installing .NET Framework 4.5 on it, but I got an error saying it's already a part of the operating system.
So, I guess it's included with Windows 8.
VG
^^ Nice. Thanks for the update. :)
TheAslan
Is it recommended to update your computer to .Net Framework 4.5, I mean Windows 7 computer, is there so much better performance improvements?
I mean that I'm not even a programmer or coder, do I need that 4.5?
VG
^^ No. You should install it if a software which you are trying to install, needs it. Microsoft always releases required updates for previous .NET Framework versions so you should not worry.