Datasheet

Part I: IDE

Figure 1-4: Initially the IDE looks more or less like this.

The key pieces of the IDE are labeled with numbers in Figure 1-4. 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 1-4 , a Form Designer (marked with the number 4) is open so the IDE is dis-

playing 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 1-4 , a Form Designer is selected in a

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