Visual Studio Hacks, O'Reilly
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Contents |
C# Online.NET Book Review
As a C# developer, I spend a lot of time using Visual Studio—writing, debugging, and refactoring. Anything which can make that time more productive is welcome. And, yet I persist in doing the same old things in the same old ways. Having worked out a method of operation for myself, I don't even explore the menus anymore—much less work out novel solutions to my old problems. So, as Visual Studio has grown, I haven't.
In addition to my own inertia, there are, in fact, few books out there which specifically address Visual Studio as an integrated development environment (IDE). Instead, snippets of Visual Studio information are often embedded in books on other topics—C#, for example.
Along comes Visual Studio Hacks, a book crammed with 100 tips and tricks for making the most of Visual Studio functionality. It covers Visual Studio versions 2002, 2003, and 2005. Visual Studio 2005 tips are clearly delineated.
As the author explains, these are not "hacks" in the modern sense of the word. Rather, his use of the term harkens back to an earlier time or refers to "quick-and-dirty" programming solutions. The fact is: all uses of the word when applied to human beings are perjorative. So, the word "hack" is, simply, a marketing ploy; albeit, one that I will not hold against the book.
The book is organized functionally around themes like "Work with Visual Studio Tools" or "Extend Visual Studio". Within themes, the numbered "hacks" take as much or as little space as is required to explain them. So, the book can be read straight through, read randomly to satisfy ad hoc needs, or used like a set of tutorials—each being tested out on Visual Studio before proceeding to the next hack.
The material is well chosen and well organized. You will not find yourself using every trick in the book; nor will you download every add-in and extension mentioned. But, you will find many things which can make you a more efficient, productive, and sophisticated Visual Studio user. Whether you are a Visual Studio novice or a jaded VS hack, you will discover useful and helpful things which you can put to immediate use.
The book has tips on Visual Studio setup and customization, using built-in features, build automation through build events, custom visualizers, debugging with SQL Server, development tool integration, editor selection, source code documentation, keyboard shortcuts, code generation macros, profiling, project settings, unit testing, using the extensive built-in help features, and many other topics.
Without a doubt, some of the most useful tips in the book refer to add-ins, extensions, and tools which you can download to enhance Visual Studio functionality.
In addition, the book is an enjoyable, interesting, and thoroughly practical read.
The majority of the source code examples are in Visual Basic .NET, but some are in C#, and some in both. There is very little C++ content. However, it hardly matters since the focus is on the tool—Visual Studio.
Bottom line
Visual Studio Hacks is a gold mine of Visual Studio nuggets—tips and tricks.
Publisher's description
This hands-on guide is designed for developers who want to go far beyond the obvious features of Visual Studio--the most powerful, feature-rich Integrated Development Environment (IDE) on the market today. It takes the reader on a detailed tour through code editor hacks, all manners of customization, even external tools such as PowerToys. Full of valuable tips, tools, and tricks. Full Description
With start-up templates for projects ranging from Windows applications to web services, and extensive help and on-line documentation, Visual Studio .NET might be mistaken for a tool for unsophisticated users. It's true that most developers soon discover that the basic operation of Visual Studio is fairly self-explanatory; less obvious are some of the suite's more advanced built-in features.
Visual Studio .Net includes a wealth of little-used capabilities, is very customizable, has a complete automation model, and much more. On top of its regular feature set, there are hosts of free add-ins, macros, and power toys that can further enhance the functionality of Visual Studio. This book is all about exploring these things, and in doing so, becoming a better and more efficient developer. Developers will learn how to:
- Get the most out of projects and solutions, including getting down and dirty with the undocumented format of project and solution files
- Use these editor features to the fullest, and add additional functionality to the editor through the use of third-party add-ins
- Learn smarter ways to navigate the application and your own source code
- Customize shortcut keys, toolbars, menus, the toolbox, and much more
- Use the debugger successfully not only on your source code, but with T-SQL and scripting languages as well
- Automatically generate code
- Learn how the server can be used to interface with databases, services, and performance counters, as well as WMI
- Use and create Visual Studio add-ins to extend its functionality
Offering valuable tips, tools, and tricks, Visual Studio Hacks takes you far beyond the suite's usual capabilities. You can read this book from cover to cover or, because each hack stands its own, you can feel free to browse and jump to the different sections that interest you most. If there's a prerequisite you need to know about, a cross-reference will guide you to the right hack.
If you want to experience the full spectrum of Visual Studio's functionality and flexibility, you'll find the perfect guide for exploration in Visual Studio Hacks. Once the final page is turned, you can confidently say that you've been exposed to everything that Visual Studio .NET is capable of doing.
About the author(s)
James Avery has been programming with Microsoft technologies for the last 7 years and has been working with .NET since the second beta release. He is currently working as a consultant in the Cincinnati area building enterprise-level .NET applications. James has worked on a number of different books, most recently ASP.NET Setup and Configuration Pocket Reference for Microsoft Press. He's also written articles for MSDN magazine, ASPToday, and is a frequent blogger. James has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, and is an MCSD.NET.
Table of Contents (abbreviated)
Chapter 1. Master Projects and Solutions
Chapter 2. Master the Editor
Chapter 3. Navigating Visual Studio
Chapter 4. Customizing Visual Studio
Chapter 5. Debugging
Chapter 6. Speed Hacks
Chapter 7. Help and Research
Chapter 8. Comments and Documentation
Chapter 9. Server Explorer Hacks
Chapter 10. Work with Visual Studio Tools
Chapter 11. Visual Studio Tools for Office
Chapter 12. Extending Visual Studio
Chapter 13. Enhancing Visual Studio
