Visual Studio Express

Visual Studio Express is a very popular Integrated Development Environment (IDE) package from Microsoft built to be a lightweight alternative to the full package of the app.

Though Microsoft discontinued the Express edition and replaced it with the more robust Visual Studio Community, it remains a historical stepping stone for many developers who prefer minimalistic toolsets.



Try out Visual Studio Community for a free, fully-featured, and extensible IDE; An updated alternative to the app.

The toolset of the Visual Studio Express 2019/2022 is a little smaller than the full IDE packages, but all the necessary features are present in it to create both native Windows applications and Windows 8 Metro-Style applications.

Because of the ease of use, smaller toolset, and the great capabilities for the creation of applications of all shapes and sizes, Microsoft recommends the app for students, home users, hobbyists, and intermediate users who want to expand their knowledge.

Programming language support that is present in Visual Studio Express covers five popular languages - Visual Basic Express, Visual C++ Express, Visual C# Express, Visual Web Developer Express, and Express for Windows Phone.

The entire process of creating new applications is set inside a highly streamlined dashboard that promotes the most useful tools in the easy-to-reach positions on your screen, enabling faster coding, application management, and an increase of daily productivity.

Overview

Visual Studio Express for PC is a lightweight version of Microsoft's Visual Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment), designed to provide developers with a streamlined, easy-to-use platform for coding, testing, and deploying applications.

Aimed primarily at individual developers, hobbyists, and students, it offers a simplified interface that retains many essential features for development without the extensive complexity of its full-featured counterpart.

With support for multiple programming languages such as C#, VB.NET, and C++, it allows developers to build desktop, web, and mobile applications.

Highlights

Customized Installer
Develop applications for a wide range of platforms including WPF, WinForms, ASP.NET, Universal Windows Platform, Win32, Android, iOS, and more—all from a single integrated development environment (IDE) that provides everything you need.

Accelerated Coding
Experience faster project load times and performance improvements, allowing you to dive into coding quickly with your preferred languages like C/C++, C#, Visual Basic, F#, Python, and more.

Boosted Productivity
Increase efficiency with features designed to simplify code editing, navigation, and debugging. Enjoy tools such as XAML Edit & Continue, enhanced IntelliSense, advanced code refactoring, live code analysis, and the ability to open folders without needing a project or solution.

Modern Web Development
Leverage modern web technologies with support for JavaScript, ASP.NET, Python, and more. Benefit from rich IntelliSense completions, robust debugging tools, and performance profilers tailored for web development.

Windows Development
Build apps and games for Windows with access to powerful new features like UI analysis, debugging tools, Windows 11/10 mobile emulators, and DirectX graphics development tools.

Thriving Ecosystem
Tap into a rich ecosystem of extensions, with access to thousands of tools not available in Express editions, such as Resharper, Visual Assist, and Web Essentials.

User Interface

It sports a clean, straightforward interface designed to be beginner-friendly. The workspace is organized with a project explorer on the left, coding window in the middle, and the output/terminal on the bottom.

Users can easily navigate through different projects and files using the explorer. The tabbed window system allows multiple files to be open simultaneously.

Customizable toolbars and dockable panels allow developers to optimize their workspace, and there is little visual clutter, making the development process more streamlined.

However, compared to Visual Studio’s full version, the interface in Express lacks certain advanced features, keeping it light and less overwhelming for newer developers.

Installation and Setup

Download: First, visit the Microsoft website to download the app installer.

Installation Wizard: Once the download completes, open the installer. The wizard will walk you through the necessary steps, allowing you to select the components you want to install, such as support for specific languages or platforms.

First-Time Setup: Upon launching the software for the first time, you’ll be prompted to set up your development environment, including your preferred theme, keyboard shortcuts, and layout.

Creating Your First Project: After setup, you can immediately begin by selecting a project template. Whether it’s a Windows Forms App or a Console App, it provides an intuitive way to start your project right away.

How to Use

Creating a New Project: Open this program and navigate to "File" > "New Project." Select a template based on your needs (Console App, Windows Forms, etc.).

Coding and IntelliSense: Start writing your code in the main editor window. It automatically provides IntelliSense suggestions as you type, which helps speed up the coding process and reduce errors.

Debugging: Use the built-in debugger to run your application, set breakpoints, and analyze variables as the program runs.

Running the Application: After coding, simply hit the "Run" button, and Visual Studio Express will compile and execute your program.

Saving and Exporting Projects: You can save your work regularly by pressing Ctrl+S. It allows you to export the final project or executable file through "Build" > "Build Solution."

FAQ

Is Visual Studio Express still supported?
Microsoft no longer updates this software, and it has been replaced by Visual Studio Community, which offers more features and broader support.

Can I develop mobile applications with Visual Studio Express 2019?
It offers limited mobile development capabilities, and for more extensive mobile development, it’s recommended to use Visual Studio Community or higher.

What programming languages can I use in Visual Studio Express?
The supported languages include C#, VB.NET, C++, and limited support for web development languages like HTML and CSS.

Does Visual Studio Express have integrated version control?
It has basic integration with source control platforms like Git, though for full version control capabilities, Visual Studio Community or other editions offer more comprehensive support.

Can I use Visual Studio Express for commercial projects?
Yes, you can use this program for both personal and commercial development, although newer versions such as Visual Studio Community are recommended for larger projects.

Alternatives

Visual Studio Community 2022: The free replacement for Visual Studio Express, offering a comprehensive set of tools for individual developers and small teams.

Visual Studio Professional 2022: Professional developer tools and services for individual developers or teams.

Visual Studio Code: Powerful source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows.

Eclipse: Known for Java development, Eclipse supports various languages with extensions and offers a rich development environment.

NetBeans: An open-source IDE primarily for Java but also supports C++, PHP, and HTML5.

Pricing

It was FREE for users, making it accessible to students, hobbyists, and independent developers.

Since it’s been replaced by Visual Studio Community, users can transition to the newer version at no cost, which is also free for individuals and small teams.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7
• Processor: 1.8 GHz or faster processor
• RAM: 2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
• Disk Space: At least 10 GB of available space
• Display: 1280 x 720 or higher resolution monitor

PROS

• Free to use for individual developers.
• Simplified interface for beginners.
• Solid debugging and coding tools.
• Support for popular programming languages.

CONS

• Discontinued and replaced by Visual Studio Community.
• Lacks many advanced features found in full Visual Studio.
• Limited mobile development options.
• Outdated for modern projects.