1.4. Versions of Visual Basic for .NET .NET brought about a major progression in the Visual Basic language, but it wasn't a once-and-for-all change. Since VB's initial .NET release in 2002, it and the underlying .NET Framework have been updated several times to include new functionality. As of this writing, there have been three major releases of Visual Basic. Visual Basic .NET 2002. This was the original release of Visual Basic .NET and was packaged with Version 1.0 of the .NET Framework. Internally, this release is known as Visual Basic 7.0. For a list of changes between Visual Basic 6.0 and the 2002 release of VB.NET, see Appendix D. Visual Basic .NET 2003. The second release of Visual Basic was a "minor" release, with limited functionality changes. It shipped with Version 1.1 of the .NET Framework and was identified internally as Visual Basic 7.1. For a list of changes between the 2002 and 2003 releases of VB.NET, see Appendix E. Visual Basic 2005. The third and most recent release of Visual Basic is a "major" update to the language. Internally, it is known as Visual Basic 8.0, and it comes with a parallel update to the .NET Framework, Version 2.0. For a list of changes between the 2003 and 2005 releases of VB, see Appendix F.
When .NET first appeared, it significantly raised the learning curve for first-time developers looking to try out Visual Basic. It was designed as a professional tool for professional programmers. The 2005 release of Visual Basic attempts to bring new programmers back into the Visual Basic world by expanding the usability range of the product line. Visual Studio 2005 includes several distinct audience-targeted packages. Visual Studio 2005 Express Edition. This is the entry-level product, and it is available as a more specific Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition. (Actually, each .NET language is a separate product in the Express Edition line.) This package includes a simplified development environment interface, some restrictions on functionality (at least through the development environment), and features that help first-time developers become more productive in Visual Basic. A companion product (though included in Visual Studio 2005 Express Edition) is Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition, a simpler and more lightweight web application development tool. Express Edition users who want to develop web applications must install Visual Web Developer. Visual Studio 2005 Standard Edition. The standard edition of Visual Basic 2005 uses the same simplified development environment as the Express Edition but adds some extra functionality. It includes the full MSDN documentation set (instead of just Getting Started guides), a class designer, full support for building Windows Forms applications, richer XML features, support for source-code-control integration, application-deployment support through the new "ClickOnce" deployment feature, and access to SQL Server's reporting services. You can also target mobile devices with this package. Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition. Visual Basic 2005 Professional Edition part of the professional Visual Studio release, includes all the features of the Standard Edition but adds more enhanced features for the full-time developer. The simplified user interface is replaced with the full Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The package also includes Crystal Reports, support for remote debugging, the ability to generate 64-bit applications, full access to system services and databases (including SQL Server), and full deployment support through both ClickOnce and Windows Installer projects. A copy of SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition also appears at this level. Visual Studio 2005 Tools for the Microsoft Office System. This product is similar to the Professional Edition but includes additional tools that make development with Microsoft Office easier. The package adds tools for specifically working with Microsoft Access databases. However, some Professional Edition-level features are removed. This edition includes no support for mobile devices, and you cannot generate 64-bit applications. Visual J# and Visual C++ are absent as well. Visual Studio 2005 Team System. This product is actually three distinct packages targeted at (1) software architects, (2) software developers, and (3) software testers. A fourth "suite" package combines all the features of the other three. All of the packages are designed for projects with multiple developers and include tools for testing and profiling .NET applications. Source code control and project management tools also appear. A separate package, Visual Studio 2005 Team Foundation Server, is a server-side product that provides additional collaborative and support features for all team members. SQL Server 2005. Although not officially a Visual Studio development language, Microsoft released the 2005 edition of its premier database platform at the same time that it released Visual Studio 2005. (Some Visual Studio editions include a developer's version of SQL Server 2005.) SQL Server 2005 includes support for .NET application development, especially through its use of stored procedures written in any .NET language.
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