VS 2010 First Look :: Cleaner Multi-Target Support

Older version of VS like 2003 and 2005 were dedicated to only one framework. This was annoying because you have to use multiple versions of VS to develop multi-target applications which wasn’t very feasible at this time!

VS 2008 has come with a great feature called Multi-Target support which enables developers to develop multi-target application on the same IDE. So, I can develop a program under .NET 2.0 and using the same VS I can develop another one with .NET 3.5 or even convert the old one to .NET 3.5. Great feature, huh!

The problem was that all these versions will run on the same CLR, they are only different in class libraries! So, VS 2008 was primarily focused on filtering the different assemblies and project templates according the developer framework choice but everything else was working on the same CLR like compiling and debugging for example.

This wasn’t perfect because of the intellisense of VS 2008 always showing the libraries of .NET 3.5 even if you are using .NET 2.0! This makes the chance that developers using .NET 2.0 adding code snippets which is supported only in .NET 3.5 by accident.

VS 2010 comes to the rescue. Now you can develop under many different frameworks safely because the intellisense has been improved to show only what your framework supports.

Enough talking lets see some screen shots.

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VS 2010 First Look :: References Highlighting

In old editions of VS to find all the references of a specific variable on the same file for example you have to do that:

Right Click on the variable -> Click on find all references

Then VS will give you all the references he found within the page or not in a new separate window (Results window). In new VS 2010 you can do ……

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VS 2010 First Look :: Multi-Screen Support

Yesterday, I have asked my IT administrator to install another screen for me with a new screen card supporting dual screens in order to feel the experience of the new multi screen support in VS 2010. Really amazing guys!

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C# 4.0 First Look :: Dynamic Keyword and Calling Python from C#

If we look at the theme of C# 3.0 – 3.5, we will see that functional programming has been introduced by exposing LINQ features.

And if we look into the current release theme, we will see that this year’s theme is dynamic type.

Dynamic type gives you the ability to create objects dynamically at runtime, gives you the ability to call something you already know that it is existing but at runtime not at compile time, and it gives you the ability to interact with dynamic languages such as python for example.

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C# 4.0 First Look :: Named and Optional Parameters

One of the new features of C# 4.0 that I liked so much is: Named and Optional Parameters. This feature simplifies the old concept method overloading or constructor overloads.

Also, It makes your code more cleaner and concise. Also, you will not be obligated to duplicate code in many method overloads in order to achieve the same functionality which in return improves maintainability of your application.

And a big enhancements in the COM land while using optional parameters because it will not obligate you to enter all the arguments coming from a COM interface which is often too large number of arguments.

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Don’t Install TFS 2010 on Client Machines if …….

I was waiting on fire for the new version of TFS 2010 because of its super features which solved many other drawbacks I was facing in previous version.

One of the most features I was waiting for is the ability to install TFS 2010 on client machines running client operating systems like Windows 7 for example. In old versions I was tied to install it only on server machines running server operating systems like Windows 2003 or Windows 2008.

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Software Estimation :: Chapter 5 Review :: Estimate Influences

Many parameters will influence our estimates about software projects. This chapter discusses the different estimate influences which mus be taken into consideration while making estimates.

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Software Estimation :: Chapter 4 Review :: Where Does Estimation Error Come From?

I think that Steve McConnell has changed his career to be software psychologist! WOW, this man is awesome! Reading this chapter, gives me a full proof that Steve has very strong and solid background on the human nature and mentality.

This chapter demonstrated the many sources of errors that a man can fall in while he is making estimates. And to say the truth, I didn’t find any material discussing what may happen because of our humanity like this chapter. Thank you Steve.

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VS 2010 in 15 Minutes

The best feature I have seen, is the very powerful support for testing, quality control, and test first development in the new IDE. Really interesting.

Also, I have liked the new drag-and-drop binding feature in WPF and Silverlight application. Really, WOW.

Thank you Microsoft for this new baby!

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Online Regular Expressions Testing Tool

We are the developers always need a good tool to test our regular expressions and to make sure that they are correct.

Today, I am coming to you with a very handy and easy tool to test your regular expressions online.

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