Datasheet

Figure 1-2: Initially the IDE looks more or less like this.
The key pieces of the IDE are labeled with numbers in Figure 1-2. The following list briefly describes
each of these pieces:
❑ (1) Menus — The menus contain standard Visual Studio commands. These generally manipulate
the current solution and the modules it contains, although you can customize the menus as needed.
Visual Studio changes the menus and their contents depending on the object you currently have
selected. In Figure 1-2, a Form Designer (marked with the number 4) is open so the IDE is display-
ing the menus for editing forms.
❑ (2) Toolbars — Toolbars contain tools that you can use to perform frequently needed actions. The
same commands may be available in menus, but they are easier and faster to use in toolbars. The
IDE defines several standard toolbars such as Formatting, Debug, and Image Editor. You can also
build your own custom toolbars to hold your favorite tools. Visual Studio changes the toolbars
displayed to match the object you currently have selected.
❑ (3) Toolbox — The Toolbox contains tools appropriate for the item that you currently have selected
and for the project type that you are working on. In Figure 1-2, a Form Designer is selected in a
Windows Forms application so the Toolbox contains tools appropriate for a Form Designer. These
1
2
3
5
46
7
7
Chapter 1: IDE
37055c016.qxd 4/8/07 12:46 PM Page 7